Best HR Teams 2024

September 16, 2024 5:30 AM

These HR professionals know how to treat their employees right and get the job done.

Employee Benefit News is honoring 39 companies with its inaugural Best HR Teams list. The honorees were selected with the help of Best Companies Group based on each company's policies and benefits and an employee satisfaction survey.

Read on for more details about this year's winners of the Best HR Teams (listed in alphabetical order), including their outstanding advice, challenges they have overcome this year and their biggest wins of 2024.

AAA Northeast

Providence, Rhode Island

The team: Ron Arigo, CHRO; Michael Alsfeld, director of employee health and safety; Keri Borba, VP of organizational development; Kristen Botelho Pires, VP of total rewards systems and employee health and safety; Karen Diehl, senior employee experience specialist; Susan Fice, director of employee experience and communication; Alicia Williamson, director of talent development; and David Yelle, managing director of talent strategy.

A challenge the team overcame together: "In alignment with our continued commitment to a secure and supportive work culture and a productive workplace, we initiated comprehensive in-person workshops earlier this year with the purpose of ensuring that our employees have a productive work environment," says Karen Diehl, senior employee experience specialist. "These workshops were designed specifically for our people leaders, providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to champion our philosophy of mutual respect and dignity. Our senior HR managers, legal experts, and learning and development specialists were present at each session, contributing their insights and reinforcing the significance of maintaining our AAA culture where the worth of every employee is acknowledged and celebrated."

Allianz Trade in North America

Baltimore

The team: Barbara Martell, SVP and CHRO; Nadah Ali, senior data analyst; Kelli Appleberry, manager of total rewards; Indianna Cutrell, specialist for onboarding and employee experience; Christine Farley, senior benefits specialist; Amy Fondersmith, talent acquisition specialist; Brianna Gallagher, senior talent acquisition specialist; Megan Gilason, VP and regional head of employee development and DEI; Natalia Hungaro, senior HRBP and regional talent manager; Beverly Jones, manager of payroll and HRIS; Terald Montgomery, Jr., senior HR business partner; Marcus Perry, specialist for learning and development; Bradley Price, talent acquisition manager; and Liz Zambito, manager, senior HRBP.

The philosophy you work toward to keep you focused: "Our mantra is that HR has a seat at the table where the business decisions are made. This helps us engage with the business, remain curious, and continue to learn and develop," says Barbara Martell, CHRO. "We aim to be value-added partners, which requires us to be proactive and understand the ever-changing business requirements, financial imperatives, and labor market dynamics. This approach keeps us focused on aligning our HR strategies with the organization's goals, ensuring we contribute meaningfully to Allianz Trade's success."

American Financial Network, Inc.

Brea, California

The team: Susie Sensenbach, EVP of HR; Yvette Hidalgo, assistant director of HR; Tori Cegielski, onboarding manager; Christina Nugent, onboarding team lead; Danielle Corzine, benefits specialist; Kathy Murison, HR coordinator; Chad Wells, HR coordinator; Irene Castro, HR clerk; Thomas Sherman, HR associate; Kristin Sensenbach, social responsibility specialist; Tony Casillas, international business coach; and Diane Ngo, administrative assistant.

A philosophy you work toward: "Our philosophy is that employees are our customers, so we strive to provide them with the best possible customer service. This principle helps us build positive relationships, trust, and approachability from the outset," says Susie Sensenbach, EVP of HR. "We also believe in the power of direct communication; sometimes, picking up the phone is more effective than relying solely on email or messaging. A phone call can clarify issues quickly and foster stronger relationships."

American Integrity Insurance Company

Atlanta

The team: Angie Quinn, EVP and CHRO; Carey Southern, AVP of human resources; Albert Ortiz, director of training; Nicole Hagianis, HR generalist; Maddie Ringewald, HR coordinator; Jessica Scrape, agency technical trainer; Jordan Wallace, recruiter; David Hennessee, field trainer; Jessica Morales, office manager; and Maria Mangialomini, receptionist.

A challenge the team overcame together: "Return to Work. It was not popular for a substantial portion of the employee population, but our team worked together on messaging and providing a fun, transparent and welcoming culture to help ease the transition for our 270-plus employee population," says Angie Quinn, CHRO. "We listened to their needs and met them as best we could while identifying new ways to serve. As a result, we have had a few people leave the organization, but most have acclimated and are thriving."

Arkansas Federal Credit Union

Little Rock, Arkansas

The team: Heather Savage, CHRO; Brittany Rankin, VP of HR; Kirsten Mann, HR generalist II; Amber Clement, talent acquisition specialist II; and Hannah Shuptrine, HR coordinator II.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "It's so important to be willing to fill in the gaps," says Heather Savage, CHRO. "Each individual has their own role and responsibilities; however, in HR, issues ebb and flow. Someone may have too much on their plate when another team member is feeling on top of things. Being supportive keeps everyone's head above water."

Ballentine Partners, LLC

Waltham, Massachusetts

The team: Brie Elliott, head of HR; Heidi Hargreaves, HR specialist; Kevin Lipperman, recruiting specialist; and Jeanette Bouley, payroll and HRIS specialist.

What keeps you working in HR: "People. They are the heart of this profession, bringing endless fascination to my work. People are not predictable nor straightforward. They are complex, often chaotic, yet capable of remarkable kindness and generosity in their work," says Brie Elliott, head of HR. "This inherent human diversity and unpredictability is what makes HR continuously engaging and rewarding. … Each day brings new challenges and insights, making HR a dynamic and fulfilling career path."

BankNewport

Middletown, Rhode Island

The team: Elena Y. Harootunian, SVP and director of HR; Ryan Camara, VP and HR manager; Alexandra Pelisson, AVP and HR generalist; Lindsay Sisson, talent partner/officer; and Briana Paolino, HR analyst and project coordinator.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "BankNewport implemented a company-wide recognition program called AIM (All-in Moments). It aligns with BankNewport's 'We're All In' culture. … At any time, managers can give recognition to employees or teams for a performance achievement. Peers may recognize someone for a service, effort, or action aligned with the Bank's Core Values," says Alexandra Pelisson, HR generalist. "An All-In Moment is a positive behavior that captures BankNewport's spirit in the community, best in-class service, collaborative culture, and/or exceptional performance aligning with our core values. Awards are given in the form of online badges and cash rewards, and top employees are recognized at an annual all-employee rally."

BMSS Advisors & CPAs

Birmingham, Alabama

The team: John Shank, chief practice officer; Daniel Brock, production and scheduling; Heather Chappelle, director of HR; Heather Geary, benefits administrator; Megan Carter, recruiting manager; Michelle Pocopanni, recruiter; Bailey Gunter, campus recruiter; Ann Marie Leveille, employee experience coordinator; Paula Ambrose, HR admin; and Sherry Bullock, HR admin.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "The biggest win for the HR team so far is the engagement level of the employees at the firm," says Heather Chappelle, director of HR. "Our annual engagement survey results show a high level of engagement even after a challenging merger earlier in the year. This is a big win considering all of the changes and frustrations that come with incorporating a merged firm, not only from legacy employees, but also the merging firm. Overall, the results show that both new and existing employees are still engaged and the merger had little impact on their level of engagement."

Boyer & Ritter LLC

Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Brown Plus

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The team: Susan Yohn, director of HR; Crissy Dopkowski, senior HR generalist; Helen Badman, employment specialist; and Amanda Caviston, HR coordinator.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "Open communication and being a team player are huge! Everyone has their typical responsibilities, but in HR you never know what will come up, and being able to rely on your team to step in if needed is a great feeling," says Susan Yohn, director of HR. "There should be a supportive team bond that is also respectful of work-life balance. Our mission is the same for the HR team as it is for our clients: doing what we can to help them achieve extraordinary outcomes! Grow together, find out the interest of your team and develop ways to get them the expertise they desire."

Cary Medical Center

Caribou, Maine

The team: Kaitlyn Collin, recruiter for Pines and Cary locations; Doris St. Hilaire, benefit specialist; Liz Nadeau, employment specialist; Penny Wickstrom, HR manager for Pines and Cary locations; and Paula Parent, CHRO.

A philosophy you work toward: "Aligned with our mission, we are committed to promoting communication, education, and collaboration to empower the team to make decisions that align with the organization's vision. It's important to acknowledge that while our responsibilities are vital to the organization's success, it's okay to make mistakes," says Penny Wickstrom, HR manager. "When errors occur, we recognize, rectify, and learn from them. We keep in mind the purpose of our presence — to enjoy our work and always strive to do our best! When you can no longer say you did your best, take a step back to reassess. Engage with your team and know that you have their support."

CDPHP (Capital District Physicians' Health Plan)

Latham, New York

The team: Victoria Arnold, payroll and HR specialist; Danielle Boucher, HR business partner; Lori Cammett, VP of total rewards and HR operations; Kathryn Decker, EVP of people and culture and CHRO; Ryan Devery, manager of HR; Jerry (Brian) Dickerson, digital learning specialist; Jacqueline Fitzgerald, HR business partner; Kristen Franklin, total rewards analyst; Nicole Harrington, director of HR and leader for diversity and inclusion; Colleen Hems, organizational development specialist; Alesse Kelly, employee benefits and leave administrator; April Michener, manager of total rewards and HR operations; Lauren Moessner, HR generalist; Kathryn Morris, senior recruiter; Dawn Pfeiffer, payroll administrator; Amanda Rice, employee benefits and payroll administrator; Caitlin Sinnott, HR generalist; Colleen Tetreault, employee benefits and wellness program analyst; and Amanda Warzek, manager of HR.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "It can be easy to put the needs of the 'business' first — to become almost exclusively focused on services and requests provided from the teams we support. It is equally as important to not lose sight of building comradery as a team. HR roles can be incredibly high stress, carrying weighty, emotional employee and organizational needs around daily," says Kathryn Decker, EVP of people and culture and CHRO. "A strong peer network is imperative to lean on, workshop ideas, and calibrate processes and decisions, to ensure you are operating with a level of consistency across the enterprise. Spend the time putting systems in place within your HR department to ensure support is present and easily accessible."

Center for Internet Security

East Greenbush, New York

The team: Kayla Balasco, senior benefits and compliance specialist; Carolyn Comer, CHRO; Lavinia Dahlem, talent acquisition specialist; Penny Davis, leadership development and planning manager; Lindsey Duclos, HR manager; Evan Egemo, talent acquisition manager; Megan Fawley, senior learning partner; Heidi Gonzales, senior employee experience specialist; Claire Goodrich, senior learning partner; Terrance Jackson, talent acquisition specialist; Courtney Jones, talent acquisition coordinator; Jennifer Myers, senior director of learning and development; Waldo Perez, human resources support specialist; Kristina Rankin, director of HR; LaTonja Seals, HR support specialist; Savanna Smith, senior HR specialist; and Courtney Warren, senior HR manager for compliance and workforce relations.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "Some of the success of our HR team can be attributed to prioritizing relationships. We build 'connecting before content' into our weekly stand-ups, host monthly 'cheers and chats' sessions for shoutouts and celebrations, and engage in monthly HR team learning sessions," says Heidi Gonzales, senior employee experience specialist. "We not only learn together; we learn through each other. We openly share thoughts, perspectives, and ideas. We make time to understand each other's personal stories. The relationships we've fostered make collaborating and supporting each other a fulfilling part of our jobs."

Centreville Bank

Warwick, Rhode Island

The team: Josh Varone, SVP of HR; Jeff Kennedy, VP of total rewards; Danielle North, VP of communications and engagement; Santino Famiglietti, HR business partner; Kristin Willett, learning and development manager; Tammy Chabot, payroll and HRIS specialist; and Brianna Jankowski, HR coordinator.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "Fostering a culture of high engagement. We have worked hard to make Centreville Bank a company everyone can be proud to work for," says Josh Varone, SVP of HR. "This effort has resulted in low turnover, increased engagement and our employees speaking up about Centreville Bank being an employer of choice!"

CF Evans Construction LLC

Orangeburg, South Carolina

The team: John Slavich, VP of HR and secretary; Kendall Perrow, HR and recruiting supervisor; Robyn Saunders, HR administrator and EEO officer; Lauryn Hutto, payroll and benefits supervisor; and Selena Hughes, HR and payroll specialist.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "I believe our biggest win as a team in 2024 has been leading the efforts to transform our performance management process, focusing on upskilling our current employees and defining individual career paths for each of them," says John Slavich, VP of HR and secretary. "Specifically, we have identified high potential employees who are not only performing in their current jobs at a high level but have the potential to be promoted in the future. Not only does this provide us with a succession map, it enables us to partner with employees to define additional skills [and] training needs and set a plan of action to help employees achieve their goals. This has led to increased engagement and reduced turnover in our highly-competitive industry."

Community Housing Partners

Christiansburg, Virginia

The team: Laura Croft, VP of human capital; Karen Thomas, director of talent management; Heather Guynn, HR manager; Marcheta Turner, recruiting manager; Brad Harris, corporate safety director; Leslie Harris, senior corporate trainer; Jermanii Faul, HR generalist; BreAnne Burgis, HR operations support specialist; Sandra Johnson, HR specialist; and Lateffa Smith, recruiting coordinator.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "To help combat new hire fail rates, the human capital team at CHP created and launched a new in-person new hire orientation program. The challenge we have as an organization is our dispersed workforce, with over 100 different unique locations in six states with micro-cultures at each location," says Laura Croft, VP of human capital. "Our vision was to communicate the corporate culture we want to have with the new hires on their first few days of employment. We also wanted to take some of the administrative details out of the hands of the hiring managers and centralize it for more efficiency and consistency.

"Our data shows that CHP's new hire fail rate has already reduced by 6% year over year and voluntary turnover has reduced by 3%. We have reduced five different touch points with new hires and human capital to completions during new hire orientation, and have reduced the workload of our supervisors," she adds.

Cowleys Pest Services

Farmingdale, New Jersey

The team: Christopher Dattoli, marketing director; Tamara Mooney, director of HR and appointment center manager; and Randy Vogel, operations manager.

A challenge the team overcame together: "One challenge we worked through and overcame together was the rapid growth of our business, which required us to add great people to our team. The challenge was finding individuals who shared our values, especially regarding customer service," says Christopher Dattoli, marketing director. "We collaborated closely to recruit and select the right candidates, ensuring they aligned with our commitment to exceptional service. Together, we built a fantastic team, supported by an outstanding onboarding process where new hires work directly with a specialist to learn Cowleys Services. This cohesive effort helped us maintain our high standards and successfully expand our team."

DUMAC Business Systems, Inc.

Syracuse, New York

The team: Merry Bhattacharjee, VP of HR; Audrey Ragonese, senior talent acquisition specialist; and Rosa Munetz, payroll and benefits specialist.

A challenge the team overcame together: "One challenge that our human resources team works to continuously overcome is the virtualization and high travel of so many of our team members," says Merry Bhattacharjee, VP of HR. "Our HR team has strived to build and maintain relationships with team members across the country in different time zones and we are always looking for creative ways to connect with each team member to ensure that they feel connected back to the company and know how to access resources to best do their job."

Eagle Community Credit Union

Foothill Ranch, California

The team: Daizy Spenta, HR specialist; Robert Genie, training coordinator; Tuyet Vu, training and development manager; and Jeff Madland, CHRO.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "In human resources, our biggest win in 2024 so far has been the successful overhaul of our recruitment and onboarding process," says Jeff Madland, CHRO. "We streamlined our hiring practices by integrating advanced applicant tracking software and implementing a more efficient interview process. This has reduced the time to hire and allowed us to attract and secure top talent more effectively. Additionally, we revamped our onboarding program to ensure new hires feel welcomed and supported from day one, which has significantly improved our retention rates and overall employee satisfaction."

EEPB

Houston

The team: Amy Wisby, HR manager; and Elena Rios, recruiter.

A challenge the team overcame together: "There has been a steep decrease in the amount of college graduates majoring in accounting. Together, my recruiter and I have developed a multi-prong approach to increase our candidate pipeline," says Amy Wisby, HR manager. "She has increased the number of schools she is attending [and] corresponding with, including other states who offer Texas students in-state tuition. We also developed a [day] to play on the events hosted at school that they call meet the firms. Now we annually have a meet the firm day which is attended by professors, students, and established professionals. It really helps us create a good pipeline."

fullthrottle.ai

Philadelphia

The team: Jenny Prikockis, executive director of learning and development; Chris Williams, senior HR manager; Megan Hollenbach, payroll manager; Brianna Gibbons, HR business partner; Monica Daloisio, HR coordinator; Jenna DiLeo, talent acquisition business partner; Lauren O'Connor, talent acquisition business partner; Emily Vanneman, leadership development manager; Howard Blake, learning and development training lead; Kellie Regn, health and wellness coordinator; and Alie Curran, executive director of human capital management.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "It starts with each person on our team. We share a trust in one another to be our best. While we all have different personalities, we share feedback with one another so that we are better as a collective group. We could not exist if we had a siloed mentality," says Chris Williams, senior HR manager. "We meet often and are in constant communication about what's going on within the different branches of HR at our organization. From onboarding to development to exits and many areas in between, there are lessons to learn and trends to take note of on how to make work better for our people and how to help the company reach its goals faster."

General Revenue Corporation

Mason, Ohio

Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP

Rochester, New York

The team: David Mandrycky, principal and VP of HR; Kristi Tarantelli, manager of recruiting and employee relations; and Barry Obergefell, firm and HR administrator.

A challenge the team overcame together: "We encountered a few challenges that we focused on as a team simultaneously. We focused on increasing our recruiting efforts year-round in order to hire a larger group of college interns to help create a pipeline for full-time hires," says David Mandrycky, principal and VP of HR. "We created a more structured onboarding process for new hires and interns by establishing check-ins, goals, trainings, and targeted expectations within the first year of hire. Growth and retention-wise, we documented and shared information with our management group related to what a career path to partner would look like. That provided transparency for our management group to help them clearly understand what a path to partner means related to developmental needs, expectations, goals along with salary and benefits information."

Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC

Parsippany, New Jersey

Launch Potato

Delray Beach, Florida

The team: Kristopher Osborne, SVP of talent; Lex Hauser, head of HR; Alison Preiss, head of events; Nick Hamilton, head of recruiting; Tristan Sims, payroll and benefits manager; and Les Juico, recruiting operations manager.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "First and foremost, a team environment of psychological safety and trust is critical. Working in HR is often a highly visible role, and it can feel like eyes are always on you," says Kristopher Osborne, SVP of talent. "There is an expectation that HR professionals will always be approachable and composed. We must be constantly aware of what information we share and be very neutral in our thoughts and opinions.

"The HR team at Launch Potato feels like we are each others' safe space, where we can loosen our grip on 'acting like HR' and be ourselves. Take time to connect personally and encourage a sense of humor: It may feel like a non-productive use of time, especially when there is work to do, but it is critical for mental health," he adds.

MPOWER Financing

Washington, D.C.

The team: Lana Lodge, EVP of business operations and corporate secretary.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "In the post-pandemic labor market, forward-thinking organizations continue to attract and retain exceptional talent. To thrive in this competitive landscape and establish themselves as employers of choice, companies must prioritize the development of a workplace culture that exemplifies compassion, fosters meaningful impact, and cultivates a spirit of curiosity and continuous growth," says Lana Lodge, EVP of business operations and corporate secretary. "A strategic focus on professional advancement opportunities, the cultivation of inclusive spaces, and a steadfast commitment to the importance of diversity underscore the authentic embodiment of company values. Embracing innovative hybrid work environments is an important part of this commitment to authenticity. MPOWER has been deliberate in upholding our mission and values since day one, ensuring that our recruitment efforts align seamlessly with the robust positive culture we set out to construct from the outset."

NIH Federal Credit Union

Rockville, Maryland

The team: Christiana Anderson, SVP and CHRO; and Ashwini Karanth, manager of HR payroll and recruiting.

A challenge the team overcame together: "During the COVID-19 pandemic, our HR team successfully navigated an unprecedented challenge. As a predominantly in-person organization, we swiftly transitioned to a fully-remote work environment," says Christiana Anderson, CHRO. "Understandably, our employees were apprehensive, and our HR team found itself in uncharted territory, grappling with a health crisis of unparalleled magnitude.

"In response, our HR team stepped up to become the calming and unifying voice for the organization. To foster connection during this trying time, we launched the 'Community' platform where employees could share their neighborhood experiences, stories, and recipes and celebrate special occasions," she adds. "In addition, our 'Wellness Wednesday' email communications provided valuable health and safety tips to support our employees."

Nymeo Federal Credit Union

Frederick, Maryland

The team: Kristina Morgan, chief operating officer; and Tasha Eiker, HR generalist.

What keeps you working in HR: "Our culture promotes the personal and professional well-being of each team member," says Kristina Morgan, chief operating officer. "I love that I can have a positive impact on someone's career by helping to create an environment that is a great place to work through work-life balance, employee satisfaction and meaningful purpose."

Objective Paradigm

Chicago

The team: Dayna Stoller, chief of staff, and Tiana Lugo, HR generalist.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "I believe having structured team meetings is the most important thing each week," says Dayna Stoller, chief of staff. "Have a standard itinerary that you follow each time that allows you to ask questions, your team to ask you questions, time to explain any new initiatives that need working on and then a very specific action plan. Accountability and follow up are also huge."

OffSec

The team: Kristi Anderson, recruiting manager; Timmy Apostol, admin assistant for employee relations; Andrey Sonsona, HR assistant; Dominic Caracappa, senior director of HR; Janice Gavini, safety officer and nurse; Felyn Villegas, HR assistant for training and employee relations; Roshela Anoba, HR manager; Floyd Mendoza, recruiter; Seth Montenegro, HR manager; Shannon Tracy, sales and marketing recruiter; and Amy Krutz, lead technical recruiter.

What keeps you working in HR: "What keeps us working in HR is having the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both individuals and the organization as a whole. Working in HR allows us to be part of shaping a positive workplace culture, building relationships across departments, and contributing to strategic goals. Seeing employees thrive, knowing that we have contributed to their development or helped resolve a challenge, is incredibly rewarding. The dynamic nature of the role, where every day presents new opportunities to solve problems and enhance the employee experience, keeps us motivated and passionate about what we do," says Dominic Caracappa, senior director of HR.

"The company culture and team spirit play a huge role in keeping us motivated. Our team is incredibly collaborative and supportive, and that makes all the difference. We have a shared goal of creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered, and we celebrate each other's successes," he adds. "It's not just about getting the job done, but doing it in a way that fosters trust, communication, and fun. Being part of a team that genuinely cares about both the staff and each other keeps us energized and engaged. The positivity and resilience of our colleagues inspire us to stay motivated, even during the most challenging times."

Origami Risk

Chicago

The team: Tonie Asbury, office assistant; Matthew Aviles, senior manager of talent acquisition; Rachel Block, talent acquisition coordinator; Corinne Brown, talent acquisition specialist; Laura Calabrese, senior manager of HR business partners; Amy Cannons, talent acquisition specialist; Heather Evans, talent acquisition specialist; Gaby Evans, talent acquisition specialist; Nicole Facchini, chief people officer; Ian Hoeffler, talent acquisition specialist; Courtney Ketelsen, HR operations coordinator; Weronika Leja, HR operations manager; Nicholas McCulloch, talent acquisition specialist; Kelley McKay, HR business partner; Trushna Pasupuleti, talent acquisition coordinator; Kyle Rickert, HR business partner; Sophie Tran, senior talent acquisition specialist; and Anne Schafroth, payroll and benefits specialist.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "We hit 800 colleagues in January which was a significant milestone in our growth as a company in recent years. This was a celebration of the collective effort of every part of our team, from recruiting through onboarding to colleague development and retention," says Weronika Leja, HR operations manager. "Maintaining low attrition at the pace we are growing is a remarkable accomplishment showcasing how we've been able to not only continually adapt but also mature as a department for our colleagues."

Peoples State Bank

Wausau, Wisconsin

The team: Tina Seidl, VP and HR director; Jen Cassell, HR generalist and officer; Dawn Darling, learning and development officer; and Scott Staszak, talent acquisition manager.

A challenge the team overcame together: "In HR, the 'human' element comes with its rewards and challenges. One challenge that we've embraced is surrounding recruitment in the metro market of Milwaukee. Peoples has branches throughout all of Wisconsin and entered the Milwaukee market around eight years ago. As of this year, we just opened a brand-new location in downtown," says Scott Staszak, talent acquisition manager. "We have found a challenge surrounding recruitment in finding qualified candidates in a tight labor market.

"Our HR team continues to overcome this challenge by implementing the Ideal Team Player values… in all communications, making connections with the local Milwaukee SHRM group, and partnering on job postings with local groups such as the WI LGBT Chamber of Commerce and La Casa de Esperanza. As a community bank, it's important to get to know our communities. It helps us in the business we do to recruit staff and foster careers."

Philadelphia Insurance Companies

Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

The team: Eyi Acolatse, employee engagement specialist; Veronica Aikens, senior HR business partner; Cassidy Alexander, HR associate; Chanin Anaya, HR business partner; Molly Balzhiser, regional HR manager; Jonathan Beer, corporate HR manager; Kristen Bennett, talent acquisition manager-campus; Julia Bower, associate learning and development specialist; Tracey Brown, senior HR associate; Michelle Brown, training and development lead; Erin Brylka, senior HR business partner; Christianne Clymer, corporate social responsibility manager; Nicole Cook, assistant VP; Julie Covault, training and development specialist; Laura Crossin, SVP; Shelly Davis, senior training and development specialist; Marah Dormuth, HR associate; Mathew Duran, assistant VP; Ashley Ferrari, talent acquisition advisor; Richard Foronjy, TA operations supervisor; Brynne Gallagher, summer associate; Nicole Giguere, senior HR business partner; Kayla Gorrell, senior DEI training specialist; Mary Heisner, learning and development lead; Candace Holiday, administrative assistant; Mark Hourican, talent acquisition executive; Jennifer Iseri, learning and development specialist; Annie Rose Jankiewicz, learning and development specialist; Chrissy Jantas, senior HR business partner; Javan Jones, HR business partner; Cynthia Koose, HR associate; Doris Lare, corporate social responsibility specialist; Tori Lindenmuth, HR associate; Yesenia Lopez, HR business partner; Justin Lynch, associate compensation analyst; Clare McDonald, summer associate; Nicole McGovern, talent acquisition advisor-campus; Carolyn McGrath, talent acquisition advisor; Caroline Murray, executive assistant II; Christina Murray, senior compensation analyst; Denise O'Connor, VP; Alexander Pennington, talent acquisition advisor; Joseph Piergiovanni, senior training and development manager; Gregory Radomicki, talent acquisition sourcer; Alison Richmond, training and development specialist; Cara Schiavo, senior social media specialist; Mariah See, senior HR associate; Laurie Skyrm, assistant VP; Joshua Smith, HR associate; Chloe Sobel, HR associate; Julie Steege, VP; Camille Steele, HR associate; Rebekah Thiers, HR associate; Eboni Walker, talent acquisition executive; David Wilderman, senior HR analyst; and Jena Wisely, assistant VP.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "One way that we work to ensure collaboration is by proactively building community amongst HR employees on different teams so that relationships and connections are strong before we need to draw on them. We do this in several ways — by getting together as a group in-person annually to create a strategic plan, by holding quarterly department meetings, and by getting together less formally in lunch-and-learns where HR employees talk about what they've gained by participating in various PHLY programs and experiences," says Eyi Acolatse, employee engagement specialist.

"On all of our projects, we lean toward over-communicating and err on the side of including other HR teams and different perspectives during the planning process in order to ensure nothing is overlooked and no one is caught off guard. For example, our extensive early career programs — which include a summer associates program for college students and various trainee programs for recent graduates — require intense and prolonged daily collaboration between multiple HR teams to be successful."

Pines Health Services

Washburn, Maine

The team: Penny Wickstrom, HR manager for Pines and Cary locations; Kaitlyn Collin, recruiter for Pines and Cary locations; and Brandon Pedersen-Cote, HR assistant.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "In the first quarter of 2024, we reached a record number of hires, with 17 new employees joining our team," says Penny Wickstrom, HR manager. "We collaborated closely with our recruitment and retention team to effectively promote our company culture and leverage our employees' testimonials. By sharing insights from our current team, the community was able to understand the strength of our culture, the reasons our employees choose to stay, and why we are the employer of choice."

Ron Marhofer Auto Family

St. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

The team: Robert Hamer, CHRO; Sue Steets, employee relations manager; and Rachel Hise, HR coordinator.

A challenge the team overcame together: "The impact of political and social unrest in our local community. A core of who we are as a company is trust and respect of diversity in culture, opinion and thought. This has helped bring our team together when issues were falling apart around us," says Robert Hamer, CHRO. "Team members came together to support coworkers shot during multiple mass shooting events. When public protests caused local businesses to suffer from smashed windows, damaged property and vandalism, we were not impacted. We encourage our team members to share their ideas and feelings openly but respectfully to build understanding."

Schellman

Tampa, Florida

The team: Bhavna Dave, chief people officer; Laura Breitzman, director of talent acquisition; Carrie Davis, director of people experience; Kent Sloan, workday payroll and tax accountant; Jillian Tancrell, workday HCM analyst; Kate Middendorf, people experience manager; Marly Ramsey, people experience manager; Ginger Brosnahan, people experience manager; Kaylan Vrana, emerging talent program manager; Lori Jendrucko, talent brand and culture manager; and Candace Griner, people coordinator.

Advice for other HR teams to work effectively together: "Our advice for other HR teams to work together effectively would be to maintain a high level of transparency and always be open to hearing from the greater community about what they want and their pain points," says Lori Jendrucko, talent brand and culture manager. "Work collaboratively with focus groups and executive sponsors to implement change and provide the whys along the way. Utilizing peoples' strengths creates a structure that allows optionality to capitalize on interests and skills. Focus on creating a psychologically safe environment that allows a two-way dialogue on perspectives and insight amongst the team and with stakeholders."

Stream Companies

Malvern, Pennsylvania

The team: Jenny Prikockis, executive director of learning and development; Chris Williams, senior HR manager; Megan Hollenbach, payroll manager; Brianna Gibbons, HR business partner; Monica Daloisio, HR coordinator; Jenna DiLeo, talent acquisition business partner; Lauren O'Connor, talent acquisition business partner; Emily Vanneman, leadership development manager; Howard Blake, learning and development training lead; Kellie Regn, health and wellness coordinator; and Alie Curran, executive director of human capital management.

The team's biggest win in 2024: "2024 has been an incredibly challenging year for our team. We set some very audacious goals for the team to align with the organization's objectives. We implemented a formalized goal tracking tool for all 600 employees. Recognizing that the company is scaling, we felt that it was important to empower people to connect their goals to the success of the company. Similarly, we formalized our quarterly feedback sessions," says Chris Williams, senior HR manager. "Our leaders will have additional data points on performance and engagement. These tools will support building the talent to deliver a 10-star customer experience. We also implemented a more accessible paid-time-off benefit at our company. Starting this year, all employees are eligible for unlimited PTO once they reach one year of service! Last year, we advocated to formalize our compensation plans and this year we implemented an annual market adjustment. This has dramatically reduced the number of payroll changes and improved our ability to forecast payroll."

VIP Structures

Syracuse, New York

The team: Rachel Keller, people operations coordinator; Roshana Daniel, people operations manager; Sandy Devaney, payroll and benefits manager; and Cynthia Hernandez, chief people strategist.

A philosophy you work toward: "Our fundamental principle is simple: Consistently show up, and when you listen, do so to comprehend, not just to reply," says Cynthia Hernandez, chief people strategist. "Treat your work and the feedback you receive professionally, not personally, viewing it as an opportunity for constructive and ongoing advancement."

YCharts

New York

The team: Olga Spivak, VP of people; Olha Bezruchko, senior people partner; and Christine Kerrigan, talent acquisition partner.

A challenge the team overcame together: "One of the significant challenges we faced and overcame as a team was the implementation of AI into our recruiting process. Naturally, this transition came with a learning curve and usability challenges across various positions. However, through collaboration, resilience, and a commitment to innovation, we successfully navigated these obstacles," says Olga Spivak, VP of people. "Today, AI plays a crucial role in our talent acquisition processes, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

"Another challenge we tackled was establishing a perfect communication cadence with the rest of the organization to share people-related news," Spivak adds. "By refining our communication strategies and ensuring timely, transparent updates, we have fostered a more informed and connected workplace. These experiences have strengthened our team's problem-solving capabilities and reinforced our dedication to continuous improvement."