Lynnaire Sheridan CMHRNZ (Academic)

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

My whole career has focused on promoting positive socio-cultural, economic and ecological outcomes for communities.  Helping people thrive in successful businesses requires great HR practices ranging from fostering good faith relationships with employees through to protecting their safety at work.  It’s a challenging, dynamic and interesting field where you can learn and share something new everyday. 

What do you love about working in HR?  

I get to shape the future of HR through educating our emerging professionals in partnership with industry. 

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

In addition to becoming a Chartered Member, being recognised for teaching excellence and my invited to become a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2019 was a real career highlight. 

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

Chartered Membership demonstrates a commitment to HR, its professionals and, fundamentally, the people in our businesses.  I’m proud to be a Chartered Member (Academic) as this niche recognises the role of academics in fostering, developing and critiquing the field through our teaching and research. 

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?  

As an HR academic transitioning to Aotearoa / New Zealand in 2021, it was important for me to have my teaching practice evaluated by HRNZ professionals to ensure my students would be industry ready for this context. 

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

I’m really enjoying the continuing professional development, ranging from the formal HRNZ training events through to the informal catchups of my local Otago Branch, together with greater overall involvement with HRNZ.  In my classroom, I’m embracing Te Ao Māori perspectives and growing my own cultural competency to support the enactment of the Treaty of Waitangi in workplace settings.