Two HR professionals given awards in B.C.

Michelle Sing, Tierra Madini recognized by HR association

Two HR professionals given awards in B.C.
From left: Melanie Dixon, Desjardins; Michelle Sing, YWCA Metro Vancouver; Janet Austin, lieutenant governor of British Columbia; Ram Gill, HR business partner, BC region, Shoppers Drug Mart; Anthony Ariganello, CEO, CPHR BC & Yukon. CREDIT: CPHR BC & Yukon

Michelle Sing, interim CEO at YWCA Metro Vancouver, has been named HR Professional of the Year by the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia and Yukon (CPHR BC & Yukon).

The award recognizes a CPHR BC & Yukon member who embodies where the HR profession stands today: building organizational bottom-lines, demonstrating leadership on personal and professional levels and achieving business results, said the association.

Sing has spent the past 26 years elevating and executing the profession of HR, with 22 years at YWCA Metro Vancouver where she provides overarching HR leadership to the executive and 400+ employees spread over 58 locations, said CPHR BC & Yukon.

Most recently, Sing provided critical leadership in aligning the HR strategy with the YWCA’s 2016-18 strategic plan. She also worked collaboratively with the finance team in 2017 to lead the development and implementation of a new HR/payroll system in four months.

“The human resources profession has come far from being merely an administrative function of business. It is with thanks to dedicated leaders such as Michelle Sing who have helped turn the profession into the innovative and integral people-centric business partner it is today,” said Janet Austin, lieutenant-governor of British Columbia at the awards event in Vancouver.

Rising Star Award

The 2018 Rising Star Award was presented to Tierra Madani, HR manager at Vancouver Island Brewing.

The award was created to recognize and publicly honour a CPHR BC & Yukon member who is “lighting the HR community on fire,” and celebrates young HR trailblazers who hold the future of the HR profession in their hands, said the association.

Madani joined the brewing company in March 2017 when the family-owned business was purchased by an owner of Muskoka Brewery.

She moved the Vancouver Island Brewing team away from a potential culture crisis with monthly three-hour “Island Time” sessions — a chance to break bread, build bridges, and celebrate outstanding contributions, said CPHR BC & Yukon.

Promoted to HR manager within four months, Madani is the sole HR professional onsite at Vancouver Island Brewing and has become an invaluable component of the senior leadership team.

Finalists and expanded winner profiles can be found at cprhbc.ca/awards.

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