Her Story
About Alexandra
Alexandra Howell is a Human Resources Manager in the hospitality industry, currently serving at The Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. With four and a half years of experience in hospitality human resources, she specializes in recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, employee engagement, and supporting employees with a wide range of workplace needs. Her career began after she applied for an accounting clerk position at a local hotel and was instead offered an administrative role by the HR director. She embraced the opportunity, progressed to an HR coordinator position, and ultimately advanced into HR management.
Throughout her career, Alexandra has developed a people-centered approach to human resources, with a particular passion for recruiting, onboarding, and employee engagement. She believes in looking beyond traditional qualifications when considering candidates and recognizing the importance of personality, experience, potential, and work ethic. She also emphasizes the importance of listening before reacting, particularly when supporting employees who are upset or navigating difficult circumstances. One of her professional accomplishments includes developing an employee reward system at a previous property to recognize employees and demonstrate that their contributions are valued. Her own educational journey has included completing her high school education later in life and one semester of college, and she remains interested in pursuing a business degree and SHRM professional development.
Alexandra's resilience and determination are central to both her personal and professional journey. She has navigated significant personal challenges, including a past cancer diagnosis, and continues to draw motivation from her two daughters. She encourages young women entering the workforce to keep an open mind, take calculated risks, advocate for themselves, and remain persistent even in the face of rejection. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, making arts and crafts, reading, and watching reality television. Through her work in human resources, Alexandra strives to create positive workplace environments where employees feel supported, respected, and comfortable seeking help when they need it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alexandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success largely to my children, who are a major source of motivation and inspiration for me. I have faced some significant challenges and unexpected curveballs throughout my life, but I have continued moving forward. I have learned that not every day will be easy or perfect, but perseverance is important. By continuing to show up, keep going, and work through challenges, I believe you eventually get where you need to be.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to observe and listen before reacting, especially when working in human resources. When an employee is upset, it is important to give them the opportunity to express themselves and feel heard before responding. When people are emotional, they may not be ready to hear a solution until they know that someone has genuinely listened to them. I have found this approach particularly valuable when supporting employees through difficult situations.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the industry to keep an open mind and remain persistent. You may experience rejection many times before finding the opportunity that feels right, but you should not allow rejection to define your path. Be willing to take risks, put yourself out there, and advocate for yourself. Most importantly, take the time to understand what you need and what you want, and continue pursuing those goals with perseverance.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One challenge I have experienced as a younger woman in human resources is that it can sometimes be difficult to have people take you seriously because of your age and gender. At the same time, I am grateful for the people who have been open to listening to me and giving me opportunities to demonstrate what I can do. Another challenge is the perception that younger professionals may believe they already know everything. For me, this reinforces the importance of remaining open to learning, listening to others, and continuing to develop professionally.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value perseverance, compassion, openness, and being willing to listen. In my work, I believe employees should feel that they have someone they can approach when they need support, whether they have a question, are experiencing a difficult situation, or simply need someone to listen. In my personal life, my children are at the heart of what motivates me, and I strive to demonstrate resilience, independence, and determination through the way I live and work.
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