Shannon Howell, SHRL

I attribute my success to perseverance, empathy, adaptability, and the guidance of strong mentors who have supported and challenged me throughout my career. I have never been afraid to take on difficult assignments or step into unfamiliar situations, and my ability to remain steady and focused during periods of organizational change has helped me grow as a leader. I also believe strongly in treating people with dignity and respect, even when difficult decisions must be made. Ultimately, my success has been shaped by my willingness to learn, adapt, lead with compassion, and remain committed to doing what is best for both people and the organization.

The best career advice I ever received came from one of my earliest and most influential mentors, Julie. Her message, in essence, was to move forward even when I was afraid, and to start even when I didn't yet know how. No leader before or since has pushed me out of my comfort zone the way she did, and that push became the foundation of how I lead today. She had confidence in me before I had confidence in myself. It taught me to stay composed and steady in difficult situations, even when I don't feel certain on the inside, and over time it taught me to believe in my own capability far more than I once did. As I continue to advance in executive leadership, I remain committed to the value of mentorship — building relationships that let me keep learning from others while helping the next generation of leaders grow.

I would encourage young women entering the human resources industry to remember that people often carry the emotional impact of a decision long after the specific details have faded. Difficult decisions are an inevitable part of leadership, but they should always be approached with compassion, empathy, and respect for the people involved. I also encourage women to seek out mentors, remain open to new opportunities, and never underestimate their ability to grow into leadership roles. Your career may not always follow the path you initially envision, so be willing to embrace new challenges, learn from every experience, and trust yourself as you continue to develop professionally and personally.

One of the biggest challenges in human resources today is helping organizations navigate rapid change while maintaining employee trust, engagement, and a strong sense of connection. Mergers, acquisitions, workforce shifts, and evolving business priorities can create uncertainty and anxiety for employees, making clear communication, empathy, and thoughtful leadership more important than ever. At the same time, these challenges create significant opportunities for HR leaders to strengthen organizational culture, develop talent, support leaders, and create more thoughtful and sustainable approaches to organizational change. I believe HR has a unique opportunity to serve as a strategic partner that helps organizations not only navigate transition, but also emerge stronger and more aligned.

The values most important to me, both professionally and personally, are empathy, integrity, respect, family, and personal accountability. I believe that people may not always agree with a decision, but they should still walk away from an interaction feeling respected, heard, and valued. As a leader, I strive to approach people and situations with compassion while also holding myself accountable for my decisions and responsibilities. In my personal life, family is incredibly important to me, and I work to create a healthy balance between my responsibilities as an executive and my role as a mother of three young children.