Monique Vanden Heuvel
Monique Vanden Heuvel, SHRM-CP, PHR, CPSP, is a seasoned Human Resources and Payroll professional with nearly three decades of experience across a wide range of industries. She currently serves as Manager of Human Resources and Payroll at Plumbing & Heating Wholesale, Inc. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Monique’s journey into HR began unexpectedly when a mentor recognized her potential and encouraged her to step into an HR role, where she had to learn quickly on the job. While her background is in business, she discovered a passion for HR and payroll, fueled by excellent mentors who guided her growth and development.
Throughout her career, Monique has built extensive experience in diverse sectors, including non-profit organizations, childcare, public transportation, and casinos. For the past 18 years, she has often served as an “HR office of one,” managing all aspects of human resources alongside payroll responsibilities. In her current role, she is leading organizational restructuring, updating policies, procedures, and employee handbooks, and collaborating closely with ownership to modernize HR practices. Monique takes a hands-on approach to leadership, working alongside employees on the floor to understand their challenges and support their professional and personal growth.
A recognized leader in her field, Monique holds a CPSP certification in 401(k) plan management and recently earned the Distinguished HR Professional of the Year Award from her local SHRM chapter. She serves on the board of directors for her local SHRM chapter—her fourth year in leadership—and participates in another state chapter to support multi-location operations. Monique believes strongly that HR professionals are mentors and leaders, dedicated not only to helping employees excel in their careers but also to fostering their overall well-being. Her career reflects a unique combination of strategic leadership, hands-on experience, and a deep commitment to people-centered HR.
• Certificate, Orientation for New Independent Living Specialist
• PHR, Human Resources
• SHRM
• Think 3D University Graduate
• Retirement Income for Plan Sponsors
• FCRA End User Certificate
• Certified Plan Sponsor Professional
• Leaders of Tomorrow Graduate
• First Response & First Aid to Mental Health in the Workplace
• Pathways to Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces Activator
• Getting Talent Back to Work Certificate
• Employing Abilities at Work Cerficate
• Veterans at Work Certificate
• Ditch the Drama 30-Day Certification
• National College - AAS, Business Administration and Management, General
• Distinguished HR Professional of the Year Award - Local SHRM Chapter - December 2024
• 2017 Bush Leadership Foundation Scholarship winner
• Local SHRM Chapter Board of Directors
• SHRM Chapter in another state
• CPSP
• Sioux Empire Society for Human Resource Management
• Siouxland American Payroll Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to somebody believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be successful in my career. Unfortunately, we don't all have that. This was never my career path, but somebody said, here, I think you're capable of doing it. So just that belief that I could do the job and believing in me - that I could succeed - made all the difference.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Take every day as a learning experience. Whether it's good or bad, failure is part of that learning experience. You learn from your mistakes, so mistakes are really not failures - they are truly learning experiences. I believe in that, and as we're training our new managers, we try to let them know that it's okay to make mistakes because that's how you grow in your role.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to ask questions, don't be afraid to make mistakes, and believe in what you can do. I also think they need to have a mentor.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think there's always opportunities for the HR realm. First of all, what can we bring to that next generation? For me, I strongly believe we are leaders and mentors, so our job is truly to mentor those people that we are working with to make them better, not only professionally but also in their personal lives, knowing that we may be able to pass on some knowledge to them. I am a strong believer in, hey, what can I teach you? What can I learn from you? In my current role, I am an HR manager, however I go down to the warehouse and I see what they're doing. There's other areas that I always go to, so I always try to work alongside the employees that we have to see what they're struggling with, what we can help them with, and how we can help them succeed in their roles.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect and treating people with respect is very important to me. I've always been taught by my mentors to treat people how you want to be treated. Even if you're terminating somebody or something like that, you want to treat them the same way you would want to be treated. So that respect is very important to me. Trust is also important, and of course communication is very important, whether it's personal or professional.