Her Story
About Nicole
Nicole Baker, SHRM-CP, serves as an HR Manager at LP Building Solutions in New York, bringing seven years of experience in human resources and a strong passion for employee engagement, talent development, and people-centered leadership. She began her professional career in staffing and recruiting, where she developed a strong foundation in communication, relationship building, and hiring practices before transitioning into human resources. Over the course of her career, Nicole has developed a leadership philosophy centered on authenticity, empathy, and creating meaningful connections in the workplace. As the sole HR professional at her location, Nicole has shaped the HR experience for approximately 72 employees, supporting a wide range of responsibilities including payroll, employee relations, performance management, talent development, recruiting, training, and workplace engagement initiatives. She is passionate about people and a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Nicole holds the SHRM-CP credential and has also completed Foundations of Building Leaders through Dale Carnegie Training. Nicole attributes her success to her positive energy, ability to connect with people, and genuine desire to make others feel seen, heard, and appreciated. She believes effective HR is about more than policies and procedures; it is about building trust, nurturing relationships, and leading with kindness while maintaining accountability. She sees employee engagement as one of the greatest opportunities in HR today. She believes people want more than just a job- they want to feel connected to their work, have opportunities to grow, and to know that their leaders genuinely care about them. Through a people-first leadership approach, Nicole believes that when people feel connected and empowered, both employees and organizations thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my positive energy, and genuine commitment to people. I make it a priority to build meaningful relationships and ensure that those around me feel valued and appreciated. I focus on understanding people, fostering trust, and creating authentic connections. My background in staffing further strengthened my communication and relationship-building skills, which have been instrumental in helping me navigate challenges, collaborate effectively, and achieve lasting success. Throughout my career, I've made it a priority to ensure people feel seen, heard, and valued. I believe that when individuals know they matter, they're more engaged, more confident, and more likely to succeed. Creating that kind of environment has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career and a driving force behind my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received has been to trust my instincts, take ownership, and develop a leadership approach that is authentic to who I am. Much of my professional growth has come through my own experiences, particularly when I helped establish HR at my current facility. That experience taught me to embrace challenges, solve problems, and remain focused on what works best for my employees. It reinforced the importance of believing in my abilities, learning through experience, and leading with authenticity.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to be someone who makes others feel welcome, heard, and genuinely appreciated. People may not always remember every accomplishment, but they will remember how you made them feel. While professional success is important, building meaningful relationships and making a positive impact are what create a lasting legacy. You do not have to sacrifice kindness or authenticity to be successful; you can lead with confidence while still creating an environment where others feel valued, respected, and supported.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field is redefining what employee engagement truly means. Today’s employees are looking for more than a paycheck; they want a sense of purpose, flexibility, opportunities for growth, and leaders who genuinely care about their well-being and development. Organizations that prioritize inclusive environments, meaningful connections, and people-centered cultures are better positioned to attract, engage, and retain top talent. I believe the future of the workplace is about creating cultures where people know they matter, feel supported, and have the opportunity to succeed.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I want to be known as someone who made people feel seen. That's a value I carry into everything I do. I believe everyone deserves to feel appreciated and to know their contributions matter. Leading with kindness, celebrating others, and creating genuine connections isn't just how I work—it's who I am.
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