Top 10 HR Execs to Watch in 2019

Debbie Rhodes

Vice President of Human Resources, CGI

Debbie Rhodes has been with CGI since 1999 and one of the most significant achievements she was a part of in the past year was the company’s recent merger with Sunflower Systems.

“The merging of teams bringing different corporate cultures can be challenging, and the human resources integration piece of M&A activity is critical to its success,” Rhodes said. “We believe our new members coming from the merger feel welcome and understand how much we appreciate their talents.”

As part of the company’s approach to developing its next level of leaders, Rhodes and her team enhanced key learning and development programs to better leverage gamification and experiential learning, and broadened its successful mentorship program.

But what differentiates CGI from its competitors, according to Rhodes, is its dream: “To create an environment in which we enjoy working together and, as owners, contribute to building a company we can be proud of.”

The company has an entrepreneurial culture, and a vast majority of CGI professionals are shareholders. This ownership mentality is woven into all aspects of its management approach. In fact, CGI professionals are called “members,” not employees, and all CGI members have the freedom to drive their careers, make decisions in the best interests of clients and participate in the continuous improvement of its business.

And Rhodes is able to advance HR missions within CGI with the help of her team.

“We are passionate about being open to new ideas,” she said. “Our HR team is encouraged to present new ideas, different opinions and innovative approaches to problem-solving. I’m proud of the way the team collaborates with one another and all relevant stakeholders to make these approaches a success.”

Personally, she also reminds herself every day that she and her team will display empathy, compassion, respect for, and understanding of, the human condition.

‘We genuinely care about our each other as professionals and fellow members,” Rhodes said.

Why Watch:

Rhodes and her team are currently redoubling their efforts in diversity and inclusion through the creation and expansion of several initiatives, including a program to recognize members who foster inclusion, broadening the scope of CGI Women’s Forum to promote gender equality and balance in its ranks, expanding its inclusive leadership training and adding new affinity groups, such as the recently launched Pride@CGI.