Carla Ayer, SHRM SCP, SPHR

I didn’t begin my career with a roadmap or formal training — I stepped into it with curiosity, determination, and the belief that I could learn anything I was willing to work for. Starting from scratch, I learned all I know the hard way: by doing the work, asking questions, making mistakes, and growing from every experience. Over time, I sought out certifications not just to advance my career, but to deepen my understanding and strengthen my ability to support the people who relied on me.

What began as “learning on the job” evolved into leading two companies and building expertise in employee relations, loss control, and risk management. But the real story isn’t about titles — it’s about the journey. It’s about showing up every day determined to grow, even when the path wasn’t easy. It’s about proving to myself that resilience matters, and that women can carve out their own place in any industry when they trust their instincts and invest in their own potential.

My career has been shaped by grit, continuous learning, and the belief that leadership is earned through action. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that when women back themselves — fully and unapologetically — they create opportunities not only for their own success, but for the women rising behind them.

Don’t wait until you feel ready to take the opportunity. If someone sees potential in you, believe them—and then do the work to become the person you’re capable of being. Say yes, learn fast, stay humble, and keep showing up. You’ll become qualified by taking the chance—not by standing on the sidelines.

If I were to offer advice to young women entering this industry today, it would be this: when others see potential in you, trust yourself enough to rise to it. When someone believes in you, meet that belief with confidence in your own abilities. Take the chance. Stay curious. Be willing to learn and work hard, even when the path feels uncertain.

Opportunities often arrive before we feel completely ready — say yes anyway. Trust yourself, lean into growth, and allow your courage to lead. Those moments of believing in yourself, even when it feels bold or unfamiliar, are often the moments that shape your greatest success.

The biggest opportunity in our field right now lies in leading with courage and clarity through rapid change. AI regulations, evolving safety standards, and shifting workforce expectations are reshaping how we work — but they’re also creating space for bold, purpose‑driven leadership. For me, as a woman in HR, Safety, and Risk Management, this moment feels deeply personal. I built my career by learning on the ground, finding my voice, and stepping into rooms where I didn’t always feel ready — and I see that same opportunity opening for others today. This is a time for us to step forward, elevate compliance into strategy, champion transparency, and strengthen the cultures we support. The challenges are real, but they’re also the very places where our leadership is needed most. And when women lead with both expertise and heart, we don’t just navigate change — we shape it, we humanize it, and we create workplaces where people and organizations can truly thrive.

The values that guide me — in work and in life — are creativity, dedication, and family. Creativity keeps me inspired and open to new possibilities, whether it’s the energy of a concert, the emotion of a Broadway show, or the sense of accomplishment from the projects I do at home. Dedication reminds me to stay committed to what matters and to keep growing, even when the path isn’t easy. And family grounds me; they’re my reminder that real success is measured by the relationships we nurture, not just the goals we achieve. Those three values help me stay balanced, purposeful, and connected.