The naked truth about my HR nonprofit journey

If you told my 16-year-old self that I would end up as an HR consultant who works solely with social-good entities and launching a nonprofit focused on removing barriers to employment, I would have laughed in your face. Most of the people in our field were drawn in not because it was a last resort, but because it chose them – just as it did me. 

I was the guy who restauranteurs and chef-owners assigned to train others, learning at an exceptionally quick rate, which thrilled the chefs I worked with. That was when I could show up myself. I often wouldn't show up for days at a time. I never had a problem getting another job when I was let go from one place due to my drug-induced benders. I realize now that I was very privileged. 

As a white male with good communication skills and even better culinary skills, I took full advantage of the dire need for good people in this industry and could simply get a job elsewhere. I kept pressing the envelope to see if my self-destruction could manifest itself in other unique and horrible ways. 

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I was at my lowest point: living paycheck to paycheck, no savings, no bank account, no place to live, no friends, no family anywhere around and a father who believed in tough love. When he gave my classic '80s white Firebird with a sporty moon roof to one of my younger brothers, I was left without a "home." I was drowning, and I didn't see a floatation device in my future. 

I met a chef along the way who told me that I had more potential than I knew. He told me I could change my direction to make a life for myself in this field or others with my talents. He told me I mattered. All I needed to do was take a single step in the direction of change. Start with Day One and keep going. This was not an easy or simplistic path. It wasn't instantaneously filled with triumphs. 

It was, however, filled with victories and I learned the value of cheering for all of them. This journey led me to new paths. It opened doors. As I began to work through my addictions, it morphed to being responsible for hiring and having courageous conversations with others. As I grew in my knowledge about what HR really meant and began studying how to be a better leader, I learned how to show up differently for myself and my teams.

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Growth is a funny thing. It is uncomfortable, challenging and inherently messy. As I've grown and continue to grow in my personal journey, I'm reevaluating my professional views about the HR and benefits landscape to expand my growth in my work, and how I serve others as well. My view of our industry's leadership and why placing a priority on people is so important has become a directional focus. Helping people drives the work I do. It has become my North Star. 

Driving initiatives and taking care of people within the social-good entity space – wherein companies promote practices that are better for the environment and society – is a tall order. It means being able to take all the lessons learned and apply them to unique programs that have a mission, vision and purpose greater than the individuals leading the teams. It ultimately is about leaving your ego and drive for self in the rearview mirror while you focus on the good that can affect a community. It is not a path for everyone. It is, however, uniquely rewarding. 

I chose the nonprofit route to do my part in helping leave behind a legacy of real change that would affect many people for years to come – something that would light me up each day as I charged forward into my later years. 

When I looked closer at the issues that were plaguing us, I saw that one-third of working Americans were paid below a living wage. That was exacerbating crime, food insecurity, poverty, homelessness and divided communities. That stat rises to 50% in the New York area where I live. How do we solve this problem? People power. 

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In leveraging nonprofit resources to address socioeconomic issues that plague our cities, states and countries, the goal is to create programs that emphasize the importance of people. We empower change-driven organizations and their leaders to advocate for and uplift their employees with living wages, a sense of self-worth and wellbeing. We break down barriers and remove biases so that everyone can thrive. 

When leaders and organizations embrace their people as humans vs. commodities, not only will they have healthier bottom lines, but they will create cultures that thrive as well. People work in tandem more closely. Teams feel encouraged, seen, heard and safe enough to fail forward. Their victories spill over and create rippling effects through towns, cities and communities. It is inspiring. That is why I do this work, as I can see the effects of the changes. 

As you think about your own journey and why you pursued the path of HR, I hope it has brought you joy. I also challenge you to remember a key word: human. There's a reason it's called human resources. Put people first in everything you do, and you will be successful. There are no guarantees, but there are plenty of facts that have been collected by people much smarter than me to suggest how placing a priority in people within organizations creates increased productivity, higher retention rates and healthier employees. All that affects the bottom line in a positive way.