#WomenCrushingWednesday w/ Lauren Maxwell

Name:  Lauren Maxwell

 Organization:  Medicine Man 

Title:  Human Resource and Community Outreach Director

Community work (board service, volunteering, mentoring, etc.)  I am in my third term serving on the CWCC YP Board. As the Community Outreach Director of Medicine Man, I connect our company with organizations in the communities we are located. I create meaningful, long term partnerships. I help run Medicine Man’s Volunteer Program for employees. By doing so, I facilitate employee engagement in community service.

CWCC Involvement (CWCC member for x amount of years, Engagement within CWCC: serve on our board, support our members and team, etc.)   I am in my third term serving on the CWCC YP Board. Last year I served as the Events Chair. I helped organize quarterly events for our members and those outside the organization looking for professional development. This year I also serve on the Events Committee. I enjoy connecting professionals who can benefit and learn from each other.

The Why: Why do you do what you do/ why are you passionate about your work in our community?  I enjoy bringing people together to collaborate. I love inspiring others and bringing enthusiasm to a team.

What is one of your biggest challenges that you have overcame, and how did you overcome it?  I left the classroom as a teacher to jump into a new profession in HR in a completely different industry. I had a major learning curve and did not know anyone in my new profession to turn to as a mentor. My boss enthusiastically supported my professional development, and I went to as many seminars and trainings as possible. I avidly read and listened to as much as I could absorb, and I passed my PHR test for my Human Resource certification with flying colors!

What is your personal motto?  Don’t fake it until you make it – ask for help and learn it so you can do it!

Advice for others in business based on what you have learned on your journey:  Ask for help and support when needed.

What are you most proud of from the last year? The pandemic brought incredible challenges to me as an HR professional. I had to constantly keep up with every changing piece of state and federal legislation. I had to immediately adopt these changes, create company policy, and quickly implement. New legislation would come out and be effective immediately without any protocol or suggested implementation plan from lawyers or law makers. I leaned heavily on my professional network over the past year. I am extremely proud of how well I was able to quickly learn and adapt throughout the past year in order to keep our employees safe and healthy.

 

Thank you to our #WomenCrushingWednesday Partner