Remarkable Members: Inspiring Stories from HR Spotlight Recipients

The HR Spotlight is a way for us to celebrate excellence within our HR community. Whether you’d like to name a colleague or put your own name forward, nominations for the 2026 HR Spotlight are open until September 22, 2026, at 11:59 Pacific. To highlight some of the remarkable members who have received this honour, we’ve put together a Q&A with Siva Chandran Ramakrishna, CPHR; Amber Brown, CPHR; and Basil Onyia, CPHR to learn more about their inspiring stories. 2025 HR Spotlight Recipients at the 2026 Member Recognition Gala. L/R: Nicole Whitaker, CPHR; Basil Onyia, CPHR; Amber Brown, CPHR; Paris Pishyari, CPHR; Siva Chandran Ramakrishna, CPHR How did you feel during the nomination process, and what would you say to someone who may be hesitant to nominate themselves? Siva: The nomination process gave me an opportunity to pause and reflect on my professional journey, something many HR professionals rarely make time to do. Our work often happens behind the scenes, and we tend to focus on supporting the success of others rather than recognizing our own contributions. If someone is hesitant to nominate themselves, I would encourage them to view it not as self-promotion, but as self-reflection. Taking pride in your work does not diminish humility. Every HR professional has a unique story of creating positive change, whether through supporting employees, strengthening workplace culture, navigating complex labour relations, or helping organizations grow. Sharing those accomplishments can inspire others and highlight the meaningful impact our profession has on people and organizations. What does being a HR Spotlight recipient mean to you personally and professionally? Basil: It is, and was, a massive validation of the work and contributions not only to my direct employers but in advancement of our profession in then larger workforce. It re-ignited the spark shines a light on the value we bring to every organization. It simply says to me “we see you and we appreciate you” and that means the world to me. Siva: Being a 2025 HR Spotlight recipient is both a tremendous honour and a meaningful milestone in my career. Personally, it is a reminder that the work I am passionate about—supporting people, building healthy workplaces, and leading through integrity—makes a difference. It reinforces why I chose HR as a profession and motivates me to continue learning, growing, and serving others. Professionally, this recognition affirms that thoughtful, people-centered leadership can create lasting organizational impact. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of leading organizational change, strengthening labour relations, modernizing HR practices, and supporting leaders through complex challenges. This award recognizes not only those accomplishments but also the collective efforts of the teams, mentors, and colleagues who have trusted and supported me along the way. How has being recognized through the HR Spotlight Member Recognition Program impacted your confidence, career, or professional network? Amber: Being recognized has had a meaningful impact on my confidence. That third-party validation – the reassurance that yes, you do know what you’re doing – has given me greater confidence to participate in strategic conversations. I find myself speaking up more and advocating for why an HR perspective and my contributions add value. It’s reinforced that my experience and ideas deserve to be part of the conversation. Siva: Receiving this recognition has strengthened my confidence in the value that HR leaders bring to organizations. It has reminded me that the work we do, often behind the scenes, has a meaningful and lasting impact on employees, leaders, and organizational success. Being a recipient also created opportunities to connect with other HR professionals across BC and Yukon who are passionate about advancing our profession. Being part of this community has led to valuable conversations, new perspectives, and stronger professional relationships. Most importantly, it has encouraged me to continue sharing ideas, mentoring others, and contributing to the ongoing evolution of the HR profession. What advice would you give to someone early in their HR career? Basil: Say yes to every opportunity that presents itself. Soak it all in like a sponge and remember that there is no such thing as a bad role, every role adds its own lessons that makes you a better professional and lights a fire in you. And finally, work and dream beyond the work you’re involved in within your organization today. Support others in the profession and give back much more than you receive; this helps our profession grow stronger. Why do you think it’s important for HR professionals to take time to recognize and celebrate their own achievements? Amber: HR professionals spend so much of their time recognizing and celebrating the contributions of others. But who recognizes HR? In many organizations, the answer is no one. While creating recognition programs and helping leaders celebrate their teams is part of our role, it’s easy for our own contributions to go unnoticed. I’m fortunate to work for an organization where I feel genuinely appreciated, but I know that’s not everyone’s experience. That’s why recognition from the broader HR community, like the HR Spotlight Member Recognition Program, is so meaningful. It provides validation, builds confidence, and reminds us that the work we do behind the scenes has a real impact. Recognition isn’t about being told, “Good job.” It’s about acknowledging the value of our profession and the difference we make every day. Siva: HR professionals spend much of their careers recognizing the contributions of others, supporting employees through challenges, and celebrating organizational successes. It is equally important that we take time to acknowledge our own achievements and the positive impact we have made. Celebrating success is not about seeking recognition, it is about reflecting on the progress we have made, appreciating the people who helped us along the way, and recognizing the value our profession brings to workplaces. It also helps build confidence, resilience, and encourages continuous growth. When HR professionals share their accomplishments, they elevate the profession as a whole. They demonstrate the strategic value of HR, inspire emerging professionals, and encourage others to pursue innovative ideas that create healthier, more inclusive, and more successful workplaces. Receiving this recognition started with someone taking the time to acknowledge your impact. What would you say to someone who is thinking about nominating a colleague but isn’t sure whether they should? Basil: Just do it! In HR we spend so much time building effective reward and recognition programs, recognizing others, and we tend to forget about ourselves. This is a beautiful opportunity to shine a light on a fellow HR colleague and remind them that we see the amazing work that is too often done quietly and that we see the work that is often thankless. Amber: I would say, why not? Taking the time to nominate someone is an opportunity to reflect on the difference they’ve made. Even if they don’t receive the award, you’ve shown them that their contributions matter, that their work is seen, and that the impact they’re making is valued by others. Sometimes, simply knowing someone took the time to recognize your efforts can be just as meaningful as the award itself. Is there anything you’d like to share with future nominees about your experience of being nominated? Amber: Have fun with it! I was fortunate to have a colleague who took the lead on most of my nomination package, and from the moment I found out I had been selected, the entire experience was a blast. Having the opportunity to speak from the heart in front of a room full of HR professionals was both exciting and incredibly meaningful. One of my favourite parts was sharing the experience with my family. Having my husband and daughter there to celebrate with me made the evening even more special (and it was pretty great to show off for them, too)! Receiving this recognition started with someone taking the time to acknowledge your impact. What would you say to someone who is thinking about nominating a colleague but isn’t sure whether they should? Basil: I felt honoured to be considered. From a logistics standpoint gathering the requirements ask of me post nomination was very quick and simple to do, the CPHR BC & Yukon team supports so much to make sure it comes to life. In case you’re looking for tips on how to make your nomination stand out, watch the HR Spotlight Info Session and hear from our 2022 HR Spotlight Recipient, Kanokwan Limchareon, CPHR: https://peopletalkonline.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/URwTqbMpnn.mp4 Ready to nominate someone? Be sure to put their (or your own) name forward by September 22, 2026! Submit your nomination.