Gwen O’Dell

I attribute my success to a strong internal drive that developed through the challenges I experienced growing up. I struggled in school, which taught me early on that I sometimes had to work twice as hard to achieve the results I wanted and prove what I was capable of. That experience instilled in me a strong work ethic, perseverance, and the belief that hard work truly pays off. Over time, that drive has become one of my greatest strengths, allowing me to see opportunities and recognize the unique strengths and potential in others that may not always be immediately apparent.

I’ve been fortunate to have some phenomenal women influence my career. Early on, I had a leader who truly invested in me, taking the time to teach me HR and share her knowledge—even beyond what was required of my role. She once told me, “If I do my job right, you should be able to take mine.” That has stayed with me throughout my career.

I’ve carried that same philosophy into my own leadership roles by sharing my knowledge and investing in others. There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone you’ve mentored grow, gain confidence, and succeed in their career. To me, that’s one of the greatest measures of successful leadership.

Do not be afraid to take things on, and don’t be afraid to use your voice. For a long time, I was afraid to speak up for what I believed was right or to share my perspective. I grew up in a generation where I was taught that you were supposed to be “seen and not heard.” As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve learned that having a voice is one of your greatest strengths.You can speak up respectfully, ask questions, challenge things when necessary, and advocate for what you believe is right. You don’t have to have all the answers or wait until you feel completely confident to take on something new. Some of the biggest growth opportunities in my career have come from being willing to step outside of my comfort zone. And especially in HR, our voice matters because we are often the voice of our employees. We have a responsibility to listen, to advocate, and to make sure people feel heard. So use your voice, trust your perspective, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to take up space at the table. You’ve earned your seat there.

I would have to say recruiting new talent, because it’s a bit of both a challenge and an opportunity. It has pushed us to get creative and think outside the box when it comes to finding new and innovative ways to build a strong candidate pipeline.

I think there’s a real opportunity to look beyond traditional job postings and job boards and build relationships within our communities. Partnerships with schools, organizations, and other community groups can help us reach talent pools we may not otherwise connect with.

The values that are most important to me, both personally and professionally, are integrity, connection, compassion, and authenticity. I believe in doing the right thing, even when it isn’t always the easiest thing to do. In my work, that means being someone people can trust, using my voice when it matters, and treating people with respect and compassion. I’ve learned that HR is about much more than policies and processes—it’s about people, and I never want to lose sight of that. Personally, connection and authenticity are incredibly important to me. I want to show up as my genuine self, build meaningful relationships, and make time for the people and experiences that matter most. I’ve learned through both life and my career that success isn’t just about what you accomplish—it’s also about how you make people feel along the way and whether the life you’re building is meaningful to you. Ultimately, I want to be someone who leads with integrity, makes people feel heard and valued, and stays true to who I am.