The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced March 28, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person May 10.
Next is Michelle Howell, chief human resources officer at Systems Planning and Analysis, and finalist in the Public & Private Company Chief Human Resources Officer category. Here, she shares key achievements, focus areas going forward, career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2023?
In 2023, I was able to transform the HR function at SPA into a client focused, strategic, and world class function. I specifically focused on five key areas: hiring talent, launching employee engagement programs, implementing process improvements, scaling and elevating the HR team, and automation efforts. The primary goal was to significantly increase our hiring and outreach efforts, resulting in more than doubling our direct hiring numbers across all divisions.
In addition to the aggressive hiring goals, I had our HR team focus on several new employee engagement initiatives; including a new reward & recognition program, an improved day one experience for new hires, an enhanced and automated performance management program, a robust talent management initiative, and launching an internal Center for Development. Part of 2023 was spent establishing and leading five cross functional working groups to help us solve key business problems and implement solutions and process improvements quickly and effectively.
I also spent time assessing, developing and growing key talent within the HR team, establishing career paths and new leadership roles, setting up and staffing HR functional centers of excellence, cross training, and building a bench of talent, complete with utility players to help out during surge efforts and M&A activities. I’m pleased to say that we were also able to automate 90% of the forms and processes we have, to help streamline as well as enhance the end-user experience.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
My primary areas of focus will continue to be on our aggressive hiring goals, acclimating our new talent, retaining our talent through successful employee engagement initiatives and competitive benefit programs, and continuing to be an employer of choice. We are a professional services business, and our employees are our key asset, they sit side-by-side our government customers supporting the national security mission, and ensuring our employees feel connected to SPA and our mission continues to be a key part of our culture.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
My best advice is to always be yourself, be willing to learn new things and step outside your comfort zone, take risks, and have fun. It’s important to have career mentors who you can learn from, and being a mentor to others is also very rewarding.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know about?
I am an avid scuba diver and I love to travel to new places.