Rosa
CHRO
Provide HR leadersh
Develop and execute
Function as strategic
Support the achievem
objectives
t in f
Girlfriends is creating a space for women
to connect outside of their nine-to-five
jobs. We focus on hosting events that tap
into fun and self-care to create the perfect
environment for women to connect on
matters such as life, love and career. What
we are doing with HR Girlfriends is getting
women out of their comfort zones and reigniting their passion for connecting with
people.
C: What do you see as a critical role that HR
professionals can play now and in the future
for their organizations?
SR: HR professionals have the ability to
change or enhance the corporate culture
of their respective organizations. Even
the best organization has to examine its
culture continuously in light of current
and future talent pools and its industry
as a whole. Human resources can have
an impact on corporate culture through
technological initiatives that support
more efficient work and processes. As
younger people increasingly dominate the
workforce, organizations must stay ahead
of the technological curve.
C: How could someone set up a network
such as yours or start a chapter of HR
Girlfriends? What is your advice about
essential activities for the group?
SR: I have been asked those questions
several times since starting HR
Girlfriends, and I don’t yet have clear
answers. We are strengthening our
presence in the Washington, D.C. metro
area, with plans to expand into New York
City. In addition, we are in the planning
stages to add more interactive online tools
for women who are not in our local area.
For women looking to become active with
HR Girlfriends, I suggest participating
in our various events. Participation
requires a willingness to meet and greet
women you are not acquainted with and
a dedication to cultivating relationships
beyond the initial meeting.
Dariya
C: How does certification help you in your
job or field?
SR: My certification as a Professional
in Human Resources (PHR®) has
been instrumental in my HR career. It
has provided me with the confidence
necessary to apply for and receive
positions that I might otherwise have
not been qualified for. As I interact
with the women of HR Girlfriends, I am
able to encourage their education and
certification goals, based on my personal
experience.
HR Manager
Direct, coordinate H
Ensure HR policies c
Develop and mainta
Writes and deliver H
t in f
C: Do you think certification sets apart you
and other HR professionals from your peers?
If so, how does it do that?
SR: I do believe that possessing a
certification sets you apart from other
HR professionals. To an employer,
certification says that you are committed
to your craft and you are prepared
to navigate the organization through
successful HR practices and initiatives.
There was a time when I thought
my PHR would be enough to carry me
through the lifetime of my career, but my
thinking has recently shifted. The more
in-depth my on-the-job skills become, the
more I am convinced that obtaining the
Senior Professional in Human Resources
(SPHR®) certification is a no-brainer.
There are positive assumptions made
about an HR professional who has the
SPHR behind his or her name. I plan to
take that exam this coming winter, and
I’m excited about the chance to be ranked
among my accomplished peers. ■
Heather
Director of Diversity
Develop diversity pr
Create diversity met
Communicate diver
to employees
t in f
Amanda
Administer various p
Maintain employee d
t in f
Saná Rasul, PHR, is the founder of HR Girlfriends, an HR community
for women, and serves as the HR manager for BayFirst Solutions, a
government contracting firm located in Washington, D.C. She also is the
co-chair for the SHRM Foundation for the Human Resources Association
of the National Capital Area and serves as a career coach for Dress for
Success Washington D.C.
www.HRCI.org
2014: Volume I
CERTIFIED 49