Kelly Wealleans CMHRNZ

What led you to a career in HR/ the position that you are in currently? 

I have always had a strong interest in Business Acumen and people, it made natural sense to combine the two and study Human Resources. At first I thought I was going to be a psychologist, but I really loved how HR was a blend of business and having employees thrive. 

What do you love about working in HR? 

I think anyone in HR would say its about the people, you cannot be in HR without having a love of all things People.  The driver for me is people, but its also helping NZ businesses grow and thrive in challenging times, while maintaining culture and as little disruption as possible. I thrive on supporting NZ businesses grow through challenges, this last few years has proven that. I believe HR plays a key role in supporting businesses in these ever changing times.

Are there any specific highlights of your career that you wish to share? 

There have been many highlights in my career having worked with some amazing people. But the one of the biggest challenges was balancing the recent pandemic, working in logistics there were decisions and changes every day which was a very challenging time for all.  Supporting employees and the business during this time was a highlight because it was a huge team effort and I know we all learnt from these experiences as we navigated this maze. It was a highlight because to see some of the toughest times been turned into opportunities and to see the resilience in our people will be something that will always be a highlight for me.

What are your thoughts on Chartered Membership? How do you feel about being a Chartered Member?  

I feel very privileged to be part of the Chartered Member community, its supports and recognises the achievement and hard work of professionals, it’s a commitment and a continuous journey to uphold the values and adapting to ever changing environments. Being committed to support NZ businesses and its people is such a reward for me and having this recognised through HRNZ is acknowledgement of the efforts an HR professional is committed to.

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member? 

The pathways that HRNZ have developed and to be able to measure your competence against these pathways was validation for me. It just seemed like a natural next step.

What are your next steps in terms of your career now that you are a Chartered Member? 

I am really passionate about mentoring HR professionals and sharing experiences, the story telling is a great way to learn from  others experiences. I am also very passionate in supporting and helping NZ businesses thrive and grow through strategic planning and growing a great culture. At some point I would like to blend the two.