Alicia Haynes, CPTM

I attribute my success to a blend of mentorship, lived experience, and the kind of resilience that only comes from what I call the “School of Hard Knocks.” Throughout my career, I’ve been shaped by leaders who saw my strengths long before I recognized them in myself. One of those early moments came at Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car, when a senior manager noticed my natural instructor mindset during team coaching and encouraged me to explore training, a field I famously dismissed at the time as “death by PowerPoint.” That insight changed the entire trajectory of my career.

My commitment to Human Resources and Learning & Development deepened through personal experiences that taught me the importance of advocacy, fairness, and understanding one’s rights in the workplace. Those moments pushed me to pursue education and certifications to support others with clarity, integrity, and compassion.

I also credit my upbringing, especially the influence of my grandmother, who instilled in me the values of discipline, education, and perseverance. Her example taught me to stand tall, stay grounded, and keep moving forward, even when the path wasn’t easy.

All of these experiences have shaped my belief in developing people, building ethical workplaces, and creating learning experiences that help others rise.

Two pieces of advice have shaped my career in meaningful ways.

The first was, “You have to play the game to get ahead.” At the time, I struggled with that idea because it felt like “playing the game” required compromising my integrity — something I was never willing to do. Over time, I redefined what that advice meant for me. My version of “the game” became showing up with purpose, executing with excellence, and letting my work speak for itself. That mindset has guided me through every role I’ve held.

The second came from a former colleague who told me, “There’s humility in being the unsung hero, but don’t be afraid to step into the light when needed.” That resonated deeply, especially for someone who has often been mindful not to appear boastful — a balance many Black women understand intimately. Their reminder helped me recognize that visibility isn’t arrogance; it’s advocacy. There is power in allowing your work to be seen and celebrated with intention.

Both pieces of advice have shaped how I lead, how I show up, and how I continue to grow — with integrity, purpose, and a willingness to step into the light when the moment calls for it.

My biggest advice is this: learn the work, know the law, and never lose sight of the human in Human Resources. No matter which discipline you choose — Recruiting, Learning & Development, Employee Relations, or Benefits & Compensation, etc. Your foundation should be knowledge and empathy working together.

It’s easy to get pulled into corporate pressures or the expectation that HR should prioritize the organization over its people. But when you stay grounded in integrity, fairness, and the well‑being of the humans you serve, you will go far. HR is about protecting the company, yes — but it’s also about impacting lives, advocating for what’s right, and creating environments where people can grow.

Lead with knowledge. Lead with compassion. Lead with courage. When you stay on the right side of people, your career will take care of itself.

One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in our field right now is the rapid rise of AI. I’m a strong believer in AI as a strategic thought partner, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when implemented responsibly. In fact, one of my recent projects involved creating AI training and education, which reinforced my belief that AI can elevate learning when used intentionally and with guardrails in place.

However, I’m also seeing a growing trend of organizations relying on AI in ways that overlook the human element. In recruiting, for example, AI is often used to filter candidates so aggressively that talented new professionals are overlooked simply because their résumés aren’t formatted “correctly” or don’t contain the exact keywords an algorithm expects. That creates barriers for emerging talent and limits diversity of thought and experience.

There’s also a misconception that AI should replace people rather than empower them. Some organizations are quick to adopt bots and automation without considering the long‑term impact on culture, capability, and the employee experience.

The opportunity lies in finding the balance — using AI to enhance learning, streamline processes, and expand access, while still centering humanity, ethics, and thoughtful decision‑making. When we treat AI as a tool rather than a substitute for people, we create workplaces that are both innovative and deeply human.

The values that guide me are justice, faith, psychological safety, courage, innovation, and growth. These principles shape how I lead, support others, and show up in every space I enter.

Justice matters to me because I’ve seen firsthand how access, fairness, and advocacy can change the trajectory of someone’s career. I believe in doing what’s right, even when it’s not easy, and ensuring people understand their rights and feel empowered to use their voice.

Faith grounds me. It’s the foundation that keeps me steady, focused, and aligned with purpose, especially in moments that require resilience or clarity.

Psychological safety is non-negotiable. Whether I’m designing a learning experience or coaching a leader, I want people to feel seen, heard, and safe enough to grow. Real development only happens in environments where people can be honest without fear.

Courage shows up in the way I navigate challenges, advocate for others, and make decisions rooted in integrity. It’s the quiet strength behind every boundary I’ve set and every moment I’ve chosen to stand firm.

Innovation fuels my work. I believe in embracing new ideas, new technologies, and new ways of learning — not for the sake of novelty, but to create meaningful, accessible, and future-ready experiences.

And growth is at the heart of everything I do. My own journey — shaped by lived experience, mentorship, and what I call the “School of Hard Knocks” — has taught me that growth is both a responsibility and a gift. Helping others rise is the most rewarding part of my work.

These values guide how I lead, build, and contribute to the world around me.