Kelvin Ellis CMHRNZ

What led you to a career in HR and the position you’re currently in?  

I didn’t set out to join the HR profession – I fell into it. After a range of Aviation and Tourism roles I began working as a Trade Union Official, growing to take on senior leadership roles representing workers in a range of industries. Over time, I saw the huge value in connecting employees with company strategy and giving them agency in their work. It wasn’t just a win for the workers but for the employers too. This realization led me to transition into HR leadership, and I’ve never looked back. 

Currently, I’m part of the Senior Leadership Team at a private hospital. Healthcare is a rapidly changing sector, full of opportunities and challenges. The dedication of healthcare professionals is truly inspirational—no matter what’s going on in their lives, their focus is always on the patient when they come to work. My biggest focus right now is attracting and retaining great people while building strong, supportive teams. My role involves integrating workforce planning, wellbeing, and learning and development to meet those needs. 

What do you love about working in HR?  

I love interacting with people and getting to know them—there are so many amazing people I work with and helping them unlock their potential is by far the most rewarding part of the role. HR is challenging and can be uncomfortable at times, especially when dealing with difficult situations, but it’s never dull. There’s always a strong “why” to what you do. Ultimately, you’re helping to build strong, thriving teams to tackle the challenges an organisation faces, and that process of bringing people together to achieve great things is what drives me. 

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

It’s often the little things—the small shifts you make that grow into something bigger over time. For me, the most satisfying thing has been seeing people grow and develop. I’ve had the privilege of supporting many individuals along their career journeys and watching them step up and thrive has been incredibly rewarding. 

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

 The chartering process was a fantastic opportunity to pause and reflect on my career—my influences, ideas, and the context I’ve worked in. I took my time with it, really processing my whole career up to this point. I’m so glad I worked through it because it’s been wonderful to join such a diverse, highly skilled group of professionals. The recognition that comes with it has also given me a nice boost of confidence. 

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?  

I was working with an amazing executive coach (who is also a chartered member), and they suggested I look into getting chartered. After exploring the HRNZ website, I was impressed with how clearly the process was laid out and that motivated me to pursue it. 

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

That’s a tough question. I think we’re in a time of massive change and transformation in the workplace. We are seeing shifts in demographics, expectations and technology like AI. Skill shortages are a real challenge and the skills of today will need to shift to the skills of tomorrow. Developing people and supporting them through these changes while ensuring that both organizations and staff thrive will be huge challenge. HR will undoubtedly play a central role in navigating that future and as someone who loves to explore new ways of doing things I hope to continue to play a role in that.