"I never set out to be in human resources, it just happened... I had been a department manager in retail for several years while going to school for my bachelor’s degree. My plan had been to graduate and go into social work - I wanted to help people change their lives despite their circumstances. Just a few weeks prior to my graduation, a mentor of mine announced that she was relocating, leaving the HR Store Manager position open. My fellow department managers wanted nothing to do with the position, the last thing they wanted to do was have to fire and write people up. Even the fact that it was a senior management position didn’t sway them. My mentor approached me about the position and I thought she was crazy. I didn’t want to spend 60 hours a week firing and disciplining associates! Well, she obviously overcame my stereotypical opinion and there I was...in Human Resources.
After one week, I was in love! This was my calling! Corporate social work.
The beauty of HR is that if you do it right you can positively impact lives. It may be delivering the tough message or recommending someone for a promotion, but in both the good and the bad, you have the ability to positively impact individuals. HR in the corporate environment allows you to be the coach and the consultant. If you build trust with your leaders, you will become their confidant and their blind spot.
After all my years in HR, there are still no dull moments. People are fascinating and figuring out what makes them tick, inspires me. I thrive on building relationships and learning about people as individuals - everyone is unique and has something to contribute, you just have to help them to discover what that is."
Adrielle Lewinski, Starfish Leadership Coaching
Adrielle Lewinski, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP
Adrielle began her career in management 17 years ago as a department manager in retail. She transitioned into human resources 13 years ago and has held multiple HR leadership roles, progressing from representative to manager to director, across several industries, including retail, medical software, transportation, RV, internet retail, commercial real estate and property management. She is very active in the local Michiana Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, serving in a variety of volunteer roles on the board for the past 8 years. Currently, she serves as Chapter President.
Adrielle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Trine University and received her MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has also been a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) since 2006 and has her SHRM-CP designation. In 2016, she became certified as an Myers Briggs (MBTI) Practitioner.
Adrielle’s passion to develop individuals and help them to realize their full potential has allowed her to positively impact business results within the organizations in which she has worked.
After one week, I was in love! This was my calling! Corporate social work.
The beauty of HR is that if you do it right you can positively impact lives. It may be delivering the tough message or recommending someone for a promotion, but in both the good and the bad, you have the ability to positively impact individuals. HR in the corporate environment allows you to be the coach and the consultant. If you build trust with your leaders, you will become their confidant and their blind spot.
After all my years in HR, there are still no dull moments. People are fascinating and figuring out what makes them tick, inspires me. I thrive on building relationships and learning about people as individuals - everyone is unique and has something to contribute, you just have to help them to discover what that is."
Adrielle Lewinski, Starfish Leadership Coaching
Adrielle Lewinski, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP
Adrielle began her career in management 17 years ago as a department manager in retail. She transitioned into human resources 13 years ago and has held multiple HR leadership roles, progressing from representative to manager to director, across several industries, including retail, medical software, transportation, RV, internet retail, commercial real estate and property management. She is very active in the local Michiana Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, serving in a variety of volunteer roles on the board for the past 8 years. Currently, she serves as Chapter President.
Adrielle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Trine University and received her MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has also been a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) since 2006 and has her SHRM-CP designation. In 2016, she became certified as an Myers Briggs (MBTI) Practitioner.
Adrielle’s passion to develop individuals and help them to realize their full potential has allowed her to positively impact business results within the organizations in which she has worked.