Professional of the Year Awards

Each year, the Sioux Empire Society for Human Resource Management Chapter (SESHRM) awards a Distinguished and Emerging Human Resource Professional of the Year Award. Our chapter has over 400 members and the SESHRM Board wants to recognize the most innovative, future forward and visionary thinkers! Nominations are due Friday, November 8.

Distinguished HR Professional of the Year (5+ yrs HR experience):

These individuals are strategic business partners – they serve as role models for the human resource profession, who are 'leaders' rather than 'followers', who set standards for others and the human resource profession, and who apply their professional expertise outside of their organizations. This could be through mentoring newer Human Resource professionals, collaborating with fellow SESHRM members by sharing best practices and are actively engaged in the SESHRM chapter. They lead by example; demonstrating a commitment to bold exploration, risk taking and learning both failure and success.

Here are a few examples of accomplishments, attributes or work they could be doing:

• Sustains a record of accomplishments or contributions to the human resource field throughout the scope of their career.
• Retains a commendable reputation with colleagues, superiors, and the community.
• Exhibits and demonstrates a commitment to the highest ethical standards and professional excellence.
• Significant contributions to their company/organization through implementation of best practices, organization design and effectiveness, and alignment and accomplishment of the strategic direction of their company.

Previous Distinguished Recipients:

• 2023 - Karen Delange, Alternative HR
• 2022 - Kerry Bamsey, The Bancorp
• 2021 - Jen Adix, Minnehaha County
• 2020 - J.R. Rowenhorst, Sammons Financial Group Companies
• 2019 - Dan Oakland, Alternative HRD
• 2018 - Rachell Henning, Woods Fuller Shultz & Smith P.C.
• 2017 - Garrett Wilson, Midcontinent
• 2016 - Maggie Pearson, RMS Roller-Grinder
• 2015 - Dawn Uthe, Carsforsale.com
• 2014 - Julie Waage, RAS
• 2013 - Carey Deaver, Minnehaha County
• 2012 - Patsy Kramer, Sanford Health

Emerging HR Professional of the Year Award (2+ yrs HR experience):

These individuals have been able to dive right into the human resource profession, make an impact to their organization by creating new and streamlined approaches to achieve more effective processes and/or are developing methods to strengthen the SESHRM community. They embrace the values of SESHRM and have shown commitment to their human resources role and the chapter. They do not let lack of experience get in the way of making breakthroughs or impacting positive change.

Here are a few examples of accomplishment, attributes or work they could be doing:

• Generate new ideas and implemented change within the organization very quickly.
• Actively engaged in the SESHRM chapter and are eager to develop their human resource and professional skills to ensure they continue and grow.
• Networking to develop strong relationships within their organization, the SESHRM Chapter and community.

Previous Emerging Recipients:

• 2023 - Brittany Andachter, The Bancorp
• 2022 - Alyssa Bainbridge, Voyage Federal Credit Union
• 2021 - Kate Mydland, JDS Industries
• 2020 - Maggi Graves Lundgren, Heritage Bank NA
• 2019 - Krysta Widman, Gage Brothers
• 2018 - Jessica Bickett, Lawrence & Schiller
• 2017 - Kelsey Hillberg, Sanford Health
• 2016 - Julia Disburg, Lincoln County
• 2015 - Karla Lundell, Howalt+McDowell Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency
• 2014 - Candis Kiihl, Dakotabilities
• 2013 - Jill Glover, Avera Health
• 2012 - Reid Holsen, City of Sioux Falls

Qualifications

• Must be a Professional Member of the SESHRM Chapter #217 in good standing
• Actively employed in the Human Resource field
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is strongly encouraged but not required
• Must uphold the highest level of ethical standards

If you have any questions please contact our Past President on our Board Members page.