Member Profile: Denise Hartley-Wilkins

Denise has recently been elected National President of HRNZ and also sits on the HRNZ Board. We were delighted to be able to chat with her.

1. What do you do in your current role to help your organisation be successful?

As a consultant and coach, I work with a range of organisations in diverse sectors. I am design-thinking centred in my approach. I’m quite analytical and evidence-based in my discovery. Good OD is about co-creating solutions with end-users rather than jumping in with your ‘expert’ hat steering to an ‘industry best practice’ solution that nobody understands or buys into. People support what they help to create. Excellent discovery, involvement and strategic alignment are hallmarks of good OD. That’s what I work to build into my practice.

2. What attracted you to pursue a career in HR?

Too many years ago than I care to admit to I was working as an EA to the chief executive of a publishing business. We had 180 staff and no HR function in a rapidly expanding organisation. There was high staff attrition and high staff discontent. It was a reactive, fly by the seat of your pants approach to people management – no people strategy, with no understanding of the value of good people practice. I was proactive in sorting out HR issues before they got to the boss, identifying training needs, handling the ER stuff (baptism by fire!). He asked me to take on the role of personnel officer. I saw the career opportunity and stepped through the door with the request that they sponsor me for my CIPD qualification. They then promoted me to personnel manager. I was 30. From there, my HR career was launched.

3. What motivated you to apply for the role of HRNZ Board Member and Branch President?

When I was living and working in Wellington, I was approached to join the Branch Committee. As a newbie to Wellington and New Zealand, it was an excellent way to meet new people and build a professional network. Joining Human Resources Institute and volunteering on the committee helped my settling-in process. I then shifted to Nelson and put my hand up to volunteer on the Branch Committee. I stepped up into the Branch President role where I was a Branch Appointed Director on the Board. I was asked if I would lead the establishment of the Branch Presidents Advisory Group and take on the role of Chair of that group. I was then invited to join the HRNZ Executive Committee. I enjoyed the opportunity to be able to give back and contribute strategically to our profession. In the next round of Board elections, I applied and was elected by our members.

4. What has been a highlight in your career to date?

I can’t pick out a particular highlight. The opportunity to work in Canada early in my career was a highlight. Gaining my Chartered CIPD status, leading an organisation through a very sticky investigation and then supporting them to achieve Investors in People accreditation, being awarded a HRNZ Chartered Fellow also comes to mind. Another highlight was being asked by HRNZ to be a facilitator for their flagship HR Foundations programme. The opportunity to help develop the next generation of HR folk is a privilege. Outside of the career stuff, one thing I’m proud of is using my expertise to support a former refugee to New Zealand to get his first job. Because of that, his family was able to support themselves, come off benefits, buy their first house and put their children through school. They now have a daughter at university. Never underestimate the impact of how a small act can result in significant change for good!

5. What do you value about your membership with HRNZ?

My Chartered recognition. It’s a nobrainer to go for it! It’s a professional competence qualmark. The opportunity to connect with, learn and grow from our thought leaders and to contribute to our professional community. The great friends and contacts I have made over the years (you get out what you put in!). I get a clear return on investment of my membership fee, great value professional insurance, as well as the wide range of member benefits. The new HRNZ member benefit app and the new online HRNZ News are great.

6. What’s something that not many people know about you?

Hmm. I’m a bit of an open book. I used to teach aerobics and was an international aerobic sports judge (when they thought aerobics would be an Olympic sport – yes really!). This was back in the day of leotards and leg warmers. Funny that I’m now a HRNZ Awards judge.

7. If you could have dinner with three people living or dead, who would they be and why?

My grandmother – so many questions I want to ask her! She grew up in 1920s Europe – a time of enormous change. My Mum, who passed away last year. I would play Abba because I know she would be up dancing! And my Dad, who is still alive, for all the obvious reasons.

8. What’s your happy place?

That’s a toss-up between the beach at Rabbit Island near Nelson or at my parents’ house in Provence (surrounded by lavender which is heavenly in the summer). Either way, as long as I’m with my husband Richard, then that is my happy place!