Emily Ralph
Emily Ralph is an accomplished human resources professional and organizational behavior student at California State University-Sacramento, currently pursuing her Master of Science in Management of Human Resources. Passionate about people strategy and organizational development, Emily is dedicated to understanding how HR can drive meaningful change and create positive workplace cultures. Her commitment to professional growth and continuous learning is evident in her active pursuit of advanced education and her preparation for the SHRM-CP exam.
With four years of experience in human resources, Emily has developed a strong foundation in team leadership, operations coordination, and skills development. As a Senior Team Leader at the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center, she oversees a team of approximately 20 individuals, focusing on cultivating both soft and hard skills as well as social and emotional learning. Her promotion to this role was driven by her exceptional work ethic, attention to detail, and the recognition of her leadership potential by senior management, reflecting her ability to make a tangible impact in her organization.
Beyond her professional achievements, Emily actively seeks opportunities to grow as a leader and contribute to her community. She was invited to the Emerging Leaders Collective, showcasing her dedication to leadership development and her readiness for expanded responsibilities. As she prepares to relocate to Milwaukee, Emily is excited to embrace new challenges, build meaningful connections, and continue shaping her career in human resources with a focus on empowering others and fostering collaborative, high-performing teams.
• California State University-Sacramento - BBA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my work ethic and attention to detail. According to my managers, the reason I got my senior role is because I have a really good work ethic and an eye for detail, and I try to pay attention to the little things. I think what's been most important to me is helping others succeed rather than seeking awards or recognition for myself. I don't really need all of the glimmer and glamour of getting an award. I prefer to help others get to that point. I also believe strongly in loyalty and integrity. Being loyal to your team, whether at work or in your personal life, is important, not to the end of the earth, but just to a general extent. And integrity means doing what you're supposed to do, even when no one's looking. If you're only doing your work when you know your manager is doing rounds, that's not truthful. I've also been fortunate to have a mentor named Daphne who has been super supportive of everything I do. Even if I make a mistake, she is able to understand why I made the mistake, and where I went wrong, and how to correct it next time. I've never had a moment with her where I feel like she hasn't had my best interests at heart. She started off as a mentor, and now she's honestly a friend.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice I would give, which I've learned through my own experience, is to take the opportunities that you have rather than being upset about the ones that you don't. Growing up, I was always so upset that I didn't get to do this, and I didn't get to do that, but I wouldn't keep myself away from doing things that I could do. So definitely try things. I've also learned that it's important not to think that you have to separate your personal life from your professional life. It's more about knowing what has to stay personal and what has to stay professional. I think a lot of people think that having a work-life balance means one or the other, not one and the other.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the major challenges I've seen recently are around work-life balance. It's more of thinking that you have to separate your personal life from your professional life. If you don't have to separate the two, it's more of just knowing what has to stay personal and what has to stay professional. I think a lot of people think that having a work-life balance means one or the other, not one and the other. The key is understanding that you can integrate both aspects of your life in a healthy way, rather than keeping them completely separate.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty is definitely really important in both my work and personal life. You are a team, you work with a team, your family is a team, and being able to be loyal to them, not to the end of the earth, but just to a general extent, is important. Integrity is also crucial to me. That means doing what you're supposed to do, even when no one's looking. If you're only doing your work when you know your manager is doing rounds, that's not truthful. I also value spending quality time with family and friends. Whether it's going to sporting events to watch something I enjoy while having quality time with people, or just going around town when it's nice out, walking around shops or just going for a walk, I like to just enjoy life. Making sure that you spend time with family and friends is super important to me.