The Bermuda Human Resource Association announced new leadership with the appointment of Candice Lambe as president and Melissa Caldwell as its new vice-president.

Mrs Lambe succeeded Krystle DaPonte, an HR industry veteran who effectively led the association for five years. Mrs Lambe’s primary responsibility as BHRA president will be providing strategic direction to the association, as it looks to provide greater resources and support for HR professionals on the island.

“As human resource professionals we have walked through an extremely taxing two years as we have supported companies through unprecedented changes,” said Mrs Lambe, a senior recruitment consultant at The Platinum Group. “In some cases, we’re still feeling the effects of everything being shaken as we acclimate to a new normal.”

She said her primary responsibility, in partnership with their executive board at the BHRA, is to foster a culture where local HR professionals are professionally equipped and emotionally replenished.

“The success of our roles depends on our wellbeing as individuals,” she said.

Mrs Lambe has worked in human resource recruiting since 2013. Her career began in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at one of the world’s most renowned staffing agencies, Robert Half.

Over the years, she has been directly responsible for recruiting and placing hundreds of professionals both locally and abroad in temporary and permanent positions in varied industries including healthcare, legal, banking and finance, risk, insurance, oil and gas, and technology, among others.

Her vision is to continue to shape the BHRA into a space where both students and up-and-coming professionals can connect with seasoned industry leaders for rich mentorship, feedback, and guidance.

During her tenure, Mrs Lambe is looking forward to providing strategic HR leaders with opportunities to partner with one another, as well as the Bermuda Government “to enhance the employment experience in Bermuda at every level”.

“Through professional certification opportunities, regular development sessions, and social and networking events, we aim to highlight and bolster the strength of our community,” Mrs Lambe said. “I hope the BHRA can continue to be an association that professionals at every level would benefit from and contribute to.”

Throughout former president Mrs DaPonte’s leadership, the BHRA membership grew from less than 80 to more than 200 members.

Mrs DaPonte was instrumental in spearheading a partnership with the Human Resource Certification Institute, a US-based accreditation organisation, which offers certifications to HR generalists, administrators, managers, and leaders. This partnership enabled the BHRA’s membership to gain access to local testing for HRCI certification, rather than flying overseas.

“I am so thankful for the experience to lead the BHRA and be able to influence my vision and have the association grow to where it is today” Mrs DaPonte said. “Every person who helps out with the association is so greatly appreciated, whether you are a volunteer on the executive board or a member helping out with one event. Thank you, it takes a village for us to be where we are. And while there is a part of me that is sad to walk away from the leadership role with the BHRA, I am tremendously confident that Mrs Lambe and Ms Caldwell will continue to better the association and apply their own vision”.

The new vice-president, Mrs Caldwell, brings with her to the role of VP a professional background that includes international experience in the financial and banking industry, management consultancy and most recently the people side of the automotive retail industry. She is the HR and project manager at Auto Solutions.

She said: “Stepping into the VP role for the BHRA, my aim is to support Candice’s vision of creating an environment where HR professionals can nourish and build each other up. We want to be able to help equip our members with the skills and tools needed to deal with work fatigue, as well as the new challenges that the pandemic has added to our roles. This will enable all of us to go back into our organisations, hopefully more refreshed and ready to deal with the day-to-day workings of people management.”

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