Influential Woman · Human Resources, Private Equity

Paula Nuzzi

Chief People Officer, Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment ·

Lib, IN

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership Degree Master's Degree in Human Resource Management Cert DISC Certified Member SHRM Member SHRM Executive Network Member Chief Member Local SHRM for Indianapolis Member SHRM for Central Kentucky

Her Story

About Paula

My areas of expertise include organizational leadership and taking family-owned businesses that are purchased by private equity firms and professionalizing the HR department. I work closely with CEOs to strategize and ensure we're creating a really good, healthy environment under new ownership. I serve as a voice at the table for not only the employees but for the business, aligning those two things so that you can create an environment that people want to work in and stay in. At the same time, I'm able to drive EBITDA and revenue through the business so that eventually, like PE firms do, the business can flourish and eventually sell. Beyond my corporate role, I also teach for Ivy Tech Community College, doing training and development for local businesses around Indiana. I provide training in conflict resolution, DISC assessments (I'm DISC certified), and all things HR for community businesses in Indianapolis, Rushville, and Connersville. I've been doing this for about 5 years. I've concentrated so much on my career over the years, and now, with retirement probably knocking on my door in the next 10 years, I want to ensure that the knowledge we have as women leaders gets passed down to the next generation so they don't have to go through the same struggles I had to get a seat at the table.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Paula

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I've concentrated so much on my career that I haven't done a great job personally at ensuring my career brand and personal brand is out there. Over the last year or so, I've started doing things like podcasts to share knowledge. In the next 10 years, retirement is probably knocking on my door, and I want to ensure that the things we know as women leaders, we can pass down to the next generation so they don't have to go through the same struggles that I had to get a seat at the table. That only happens by sharing knowledge, and that's one of the things I really want to make sure I do over the next 5 to 10 years, so the next really influential woman coming up behind me has an opportunity because they've heard from others that kind of went through it.

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