Sue Vanderoef
Sue Vanderoef is a visionary Human Resources executive with over 30 years of experience guiding organizations in people strategy, talent development, and organizational transformation. She currently serves as a Senior Director and HR Business Partner at Diversified, supporting a sizable client group in a fully remote capacity. In this role, she manages end-to-end employee life-cycle matters, coaches managers, provides guidance on organizational charts and restructuring, and ensures that HR practices align seamlessly with business strategy. Sue is recognized for her ability to partner with leaders to solve complex business challenges through practical and impactful HR solutions.
Throughout her career, Sue has held leadership roles at major firms including MetLife, Prudential, Fireman's Fund, and AT&T, gaining extensive experience in employee relations, negotiations, and strategic HR operations. She also founded Cornerstone HR Solutions, an HR consulting firm dedicated to helping small- and mid-sized businesses build HR platforms, streamline processes, and deliver training for employees at all levels. Later, she joined a New Jersey-based company as part of the executive leadership team, managing multiple operational divisions and HR for a 45-person group, further honing her expertise in strategic people management and organizational design.
Sue’s professional philosophy emphasizes coaching, structured processes, and creating supportive environments for managers and employees alike. She values purposeful work that allows for balance and fulfillment beyond the office. In addition to her corporate experience, she is an active SHRM member, contributes to LinkedIn HR groups, and volunteers with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Southridge Community Church, and the American Cancer Society. Known for her integrity, strategic insight, and commitment to inclusive workplace cultures, Sue continues to make a meaningful impact on the organizations and people she serves.
• Leadership Coaching & Organizational Performance Certificate
• The College of New Jersey - BA, English, Liberal Arts, English
• Annual SHRM Member
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
• Southridge Community Church
• American Cancer Society
What do you attribute your success to?
Sue attributes her success to extensive, hands-on HR experience across large and small organizations, practical on-the-job learning (rather than formal certification), the willingness to take risks such as starting her own HR business, and building strong professional relationships and partnerships.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You can do anything that you set your mind to achieve as she opened and successfully ran her own business for a time but soon found she would rather work with a team as she is an excellent asset and team player with the knowledge skillset that she has attained over these years.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You too can work in a field that you love that brings you joy and purpose, as she is a people person and when she is not working she is enjoying good coffee with friends and great conversations.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The shift to remote work is both an opportunity (flexibility) and a challenge: it blurs boundaries between work and home and can increase workload. HR is constantly evolving, and a current opportunity is helping small and mid-sized businesses that need HR expertise but are not ready to hire full-time HR staff.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Community and faith, generosity and charitable giving, family and healthy work–life balance, protecting boundaries for mental health, and partnering to support others' success.