By Helen Wale

The Rising Star category of the BC HRMA Professional Awards identifies potential HR high performers of the future.  How have some of the past finalists and winners progressed in their careers? We are shining the spotlight on three former winner/nominees.

Meg Burrows
HR Advisor
ICBC

Where is she now?
Meg Burrows was the Rising Star winner for 2009. At the time of her nomination, Meg was a hiring consultant for the BC Public Service Agency. She has since moved on to an HR advisor role with ICBC.  Meg has actively volunteered with BC HRMA, worked on several new recruitment initiatives in the BC Public Service, and has also recently finished an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources at Camosun College.

Meg credits her experience of the BC HRMA Awards as helping her to connect with other HR professionals across the province: “Being nominated was one of the most significant forms of recognition that I have ever received.”

Advice to future Rising Stars
“Enjoy the experience! Being recognized early in your career for your contributions to the workplace and the HR profession is incredible.”

Michelle Rowsell
Manager, Human Resources
Public Affairs Bureau

Where is she now?
Michelle Rowsell is currently the Chair of the Vancouver Island BC HRMA Advisory Council.  Michelle was a finalist for the Rising Star Award in its inaugural year (2005). At that time, she was an HR advisor and had some occasional manager duties. Michelle was the continuity in a small organization where there had been three different directors in less than two years. Maintaining consistency and good HR practices at a time of great change led to her nomination.  She is currently the HR manager in the Public Affairs Bureau which is part of the BC Public Service.

Michelle believes that her nomination helped her advance in her HR career as it gave her the self confidence to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

“…It really was the best performance review I could have asked for.”

Advice to future Rising Stars
“Rising stars should not be still; try and learn about the variety of options in the HR profession.”

Melissa Anderson
Human Resources Business Partner
Schneider Electric

Where is she now?
Melissa was a finalist for the 2006 Rising Stars Award. Working at Schneider Electric as a HR advisor, she was nominated by the operations director for a range of accomplishments during the two years that she had been with the company. Since her nomination as a Rising Star, Melissa has been working as a HR business partner primarily working on talent management and HR transformation  with  a global and North American focus resulting in international travel.

Being nominated as a Rising Star ignited Melissa’s commitment and passion towards a career in HR and opened her eyes to the opportunities in the HR field.

“It was at that point that I realized the impact that Human Resources can and should have within an organization.”

Advice to future Rising Stars
“It’s important for HR professionals to build a solid foundation in the core HR areas for themselves and their organizations. Once you have a solid  foundation,  competency development in the emerging areas gets exciting.”

For more information about BC HRMA’s professional awards, and to meet the 2011 award finalists, please visit www.bchrma.org/awards.