Professional Membership Accreditation

Human Resources magazine caught up with Breandan Eakin (Accredited Member) and Mark Lewis (Chartered Member) to ask about their paths to HRNZ accreditation and their thoughts about the role of HR in Aotearoa today.

Breandan Eakin

What have been your career highlights to date?

I’d say my biggest highlight has been the transition from working directly with vulnerable people in the community, to advising senior leaders in the corporate space. I have learned a lot about empathy, listening to and meeting people where they are. These skills have stayed with me throughout my HR career and have been important in building strong and open relationships and fostering people-centric workplaces. Helping leaders navigate their roles with confidence and seeing people grow through the support I provide is incredibly rewarding.

What inspires and motivates you in your career and why?

I’m driven by the opportunity to create workplaces where people feel heard, valued and supported. I believe in having fair and transparent approaches, whether that’s supporting complex employment relations issues, guiding an organisation through change or simply making HR processes clearer and more accessible. I love the relationship-building aspect of HR, and imparting knowledge on why we do things the way we do. I’ve seen firsthand how strong, trusting relationships can make a real difference in work. I’m motivated by the impact that good HR practices can have on organisations’ work culture.

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

We are living in an ever-changing world with unpredictable challenges often described as VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous). I think the biggest challenge in this context is balancing business needs with peoplefirst approaches. We’re often expected to be strategic partners while also advocating for employees, which sometimes can be at odds. Getting that balance right can be tricky! I think AI is another challenge; it’s making massive strides, and some organisations are happily moving with it and others not so much. Ultimately, through these changes, we need to keep people at the core.

How has HRNZ membership helped your career?

I am originally from Ireland and began my HR career in New Zealand. I had to learn the ropes of a new profession in a new country, and HRNZ provided a really strong foundation for that, offering great resources and access to connections across the country. They helped me build on my people-centric approach by reinforcing best practice, and meeting some great people helped influence how I work today.

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

My journey to becoming an Accredited Member has been shaped by my broad experiences, from frontline support to senior HR roles. I’ve always kept my focus on being open and honest. Applying for accreditation was a great opportunity to reflect on my journey and recognise the skills I’ve gained along the way. The process was straightforward, and I want to give a massive shout-out to Chelsea Mapp for helping guide the way.

Mark Lewis

What have been your career highlights to date?

One of the most memorable highlights of my career is leading a major cultural transformation project at Connetics, with my fantastic team. Connetics is a leading provider of electrical engineering, design, construction and maintenance services in New Zealand. This initiative involves redefining our organisational values, enhancing employee engagement, and implementing new approaches to people and culture that partner with the business to improve overall efficiency and the bottom line. Another significant highlight was receiving the HRNZ Leadership Award in 2024, which recognised my efforts to drive strategic HR initiatives and foster a positive workplace culture.

What inspires and motivates you in your career and why?

I’m inspired by the opportunity to positively affect people’s lives through my work, both inside and outside the workplace. The opportunity to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and achieve their full potential is what drives me. I am motivated by turning what I read about in the literature into reality, based on the current context for people and the business. When we get this right, it allows us to do so much more.

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

One of the main challenges facing the profession today is how we can amplify the narrative that people are the most consequential thing on our planet. We need to do this in a way that resonates with the people we work with. If businesses don’t see their primary role as becoming experts in their people and investing in the right areas to truly lead them, they limit their success. It doesn’t matter what service or product you provide; it is ultimately delivered with and through your people. Navigating the rapid pace of change, whether technological or otherwise, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability are also significant challenges. Within this context, people and culture strategies can only be effective when they are aligned with the broader business goals, are adaptable to change, and effectively support our employees through all of this.

How has HRNZ membership helped your career?

HRNZ membership has allowed me to grow from an educator with a passion for people, potential, resilience and leadership into an executive leader able to make a difference. The access to ideas and networking opportunities has helped me stay abreast of the latest trends and leading

practices in HR. Being part of this vibrant community has not only enhanced my knowledge and skills but also reinforced my commitment to the HR profession.

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

As an ‘accidental HR professional’, becoming a Chartered Member of HRNZ has been a significant milestone in my career. The process was both challenging and rewarding, providing an opportunity to reflect on my professional journey and validate my skills and experiences. Chartered Membership has helped me connect my diverse experiences across different sectors to what is most important: lifting organisational performance through people.