Professional Membership accreditation

Human Resources magazine caught up with Kirsten Beggs (Chartered Member) and Gemma Sloane (Accredited Member) to ask about their paths to HRNZ accreditation and their thoughts about the role of HR in Aotearoa today.

Kirsten Beggs

What have been your career highlights to date?

My career has had constant pivots. I started my career as a primary school teacher, then was given the opportunity to work in technology in education. From there, I was approached for a role working with Apple technology at Renaissance Ltd. I went from Education Trainer to Director of Training and an Executive Leadership Team member in the 11 years I spent there. One highlight from this time was being asked to present in the United States. From here, I moved into the world of HR. My highlights from working in HR would be building a long-term relationship with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei when I was working at nib. While working as the Chief People Office at Anthem, I was given the opportunity to lead change in the HR space. I began my role at Dentsu just under a year ago and am proud that, in this time, we have been selected as finalists in three categories in the NZ HR Awards. Personally, I have been recognised by HRNZ and Diversity Works for my professional experience in the HR arena.

What inspires and motivates you in your career and why?

I am inspired and motivated by advocating for employees when trying to find fair, equitable answers that support our employees. I love the challenge of finding solutions that don’t have simple answers. I enjoy working through what the solution could look like while always making sure that every solution is led by a people lens, that is, what is the right thing to do. The great thing about working with people is that every day is different. That’s my ‘why’ and what gives me my energy each day.

What do you see as the challenges facing the industry and HR profession?

One key challenge of HR is the unpredictability of people. What makes our profession great is always what challenges it. As a profession, it’s wonderful that we support people, and are there to make sure that we follow the regulations that guide us. But we must also take a people lens to our decisions and lead with our heart. Other professions are clearer and more black and white when it comes to decision-making, but HR as a profession is one that doesn’t always have clear answers.

How has HRNZ membership helped your career?

I am a new member of HRNZ and am loving the connections I am making. I recently attended a local get-together, and it was great to meet others in the HR space and see that we are all facing similar concerns and successes. One other aspect of HRNZ I am thrilled about is becoming a Chartered Member.

Please describe your journey towards becoming a Chartered Member. How was the experience?

As someone who doesn’t have a qualification in HR but has many years of experience, it was an excellent opportunity to test out the criteria and see where I fit. I was pleasantly surprised that I had more knowledge than I gave myself credit for. I found this experience made me appreciate what I do know, take time to reflect on my journey into HR and to reaffirm that I had more relevant experience than I realised. I am extremely humbled and honoured to be recognised as a Chartered Member. Thank you HRNZ.

Gemma Sloane

What have been your career highlights to date?

An early career highlight was living and working in Dubai for a year. Experiencing a vastly different employment landscape from New Zealand was incredibly eye-opening and broadened my perspective on global HR practices. My most significant career highlight has been over the past five years, where I’ve found my niche and passion for continuous improvement projects, particularly in HR systems and processes. I’ve been fortunate to hone my expertise in HR technology, data and analytics to drive meaningful change. This work has helped the business enhance its performance management processes, improve workforce planning, gain deeper insights into employee engagement, develop stronger remuneration strategies and create a more positive employee experience. Now I’m embarking on an exciting new chapter, launching my independent HR consultancy, Proactive HR Ltd. I aim to help businesses refine and optimise their HR systems and processes, ensuring they align seamlessly with their unique business goals and strategies.

What inspires and motivates you in your career and why?

I’m naturally goal-driven, and what motivates me most is helping others grow, develop and achieve their goals, whether that’s individuals advancing in their careers, or businesses reaching their strategic objectives. I find immense satisfaction in streamlining HR systems and processes to create real, measurable impact. I also thrive on variety. Working across different challenges keeps me engaged and continuously learning. Knowing that my work contributes to positive change is what truly inspires me.

What do you see as the challenges facing the industry and HR profession?

One of the key challenges for the HR profession is supporting businesses in adopting truly flexible working policies in a way that is both effective and sustainable. As workforce expectations continue to evolve, organisations must get creative in how they implement flexibility. This will be critical for attracting and retaining top talent. Another significant challenge is the ever-evolving role of technology in the workplace. As AI becomes further embedded in our dayto-day work, businesses must navigate the complexities of new tools and strike the right balance between automation and authentic human connection.

How has HRNZ membership helped your career?

HRNZ membership has been really valuable in my professional development. The short training events and webinars have helped me expand my skills and build confidence in key areas of HR.

Additionally, the local Branch events provide a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow local HR practitioners and grow my network. As I embark on my new venture, I’m looking forward to engaging more actively in these events and strengthening my connections within the HR community.

Please describe your journey towards becoming an Accredited Professional Member. How was the experience?

The accreditation process had been on my mind for quite some time, but it wasn’t until I reached a career crossroads in mid-2024, that I decided to take the leap. It was the perfect opportunity to reflect on my experience, validate my skills and gain clarity on the direction I wanted to take moving forward. After attending a webinar to better understand the process, I jumped into action. The framework was wellstructured and easy to follow. It was a thought-provoking process of self-reflection.