Michal Pawlowicz CMHRNZ

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

I studied psychology of business and after my second year of studies, I landed my first ‘real job’ in a large corporation, and that’s when I realized HR might be the right fit for me. I decided to gain as much experience as possible across different areas of HR, which I considered the ‘building blocks’ of my career. After a year of exploring various departments, I finally moved to HR, starting in administration. I then completed a secondment as a Recruitment Specialist, and after a year, I transitioned to Learning & Development. Although Organisational Development wasn’t a recognized field in Poland at the time, I now realize that’s exactly what I was doing in my last role and I loved it! I don’t like being confined to just one box – either you are HR, L&D, or OD. In my current role as Head of L&D at Hind Management / Sudima Hotels, I’m able to draw on all my previous experiences, which I find incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.

What do you love about working in HR?  

Every day in HR is different, and there are so many ways we can make a real difference in the business. What I love most is helping people grow—seeing them take on challenges, build their confidence, and realize just how capable they are. It’s rewarding to support someone on their path to success, and I feel lucky to be part of that journey.

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

Moving from Poland to New Zealand was a significant step for me. It wasn’t easy to find a job initially, and I had to take a step back in my career, but I knew that sometimes you need to take one step back to make two steps forward. Looking at where I started and where I am now, I feel proud of what I’ve achieved over the past six years. I’ve worked with some amazing HR, L&D, and OD professionals, developed new skills, and grown a lot as a person.

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

I remember looking at The Path last year and thinking that I might not entirely fit the descriptions, as I’ve spent the past few years focused on L&D and OD rather than HR. However, when I read the descriptions more closely, I realized that I did have relevant examples to share and that it’s not just about specific HR projects but the impact I’ve had on the organisation through my work. Now that I’ve become a Chartered Member, I feel validated. It’s a recognition of my achievements and contributions to the broader HR community. It’s also a reminder that I’m good at what I do.

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?

I enjoy challenging myself to do things that push me out of my comfort zone. Sometimes it takes a literal ‘push’ (like the time I went skydiving in Queenstown), and other times I just have this strong desire to achieve something (like earning the NZ Certificate in Adult Learning or learning New Zealand Sign Language). Becoming a Chartered Member had been on my list for some time because I saw it as a major milestone in my career - a formal recognition of my skills, competencies, and experience.

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

I love what I do and where I am right now, so I don’t have any plans to make changes in the foreseeable future 😊. If anything, this new status motivates me to do even more - to use my Chartered Membership to reach more people, give back to the HR Community (e.g., through the mentoring programme) and encourage everyone to invest time in their development, both professionally and personally.