Recognizes excellence in the human resources profession over the course of a career. Recipients are eligible to be considered for the South Carolina HR Professional of the Year award.
Eligibility:
- Currently employed in HR or retired HR professional
- GSHRM (designated primary chapter) and SHRM membership (SHRM membership not required if retired)
- Minimum 5 consecutive years working in HR in the greater Greenville area
- Minimum 20 years working as an HR practitioner
- Proven track record of successful program implementation and results
Selection Criteria: - Contributions to organizational success
- Contributions to the profession
- Advancing the profession
- Innovation
- Education / credentials in HR preferred
- Complete application form and supporting documentation
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Kelly Shumaker, SHRM-SCP, SPHR 2021 HR Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by

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HR Rising Star - Early Career Award
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This award recognizes professionals who are early in their HR professional career and who are dedicated to making a positive impact on their organization through their role in HR. Recipients are eligible to be considered for the South Carolina HR Rising Star award.
Eligibility
- Currently employed in HR
- GSHRM (designated primary chapter) and SHRM membership
- Less than 10 years working as an HR practitioner
- Describe their achievements, leadership and community involvement in their application
Selection Criteria
- Describe 3 achievements in HR and organizational impact, innovation, creativity, and resources used
- Leadership and community involvement
- Complete application form and supporting documentation
- Progress toward HR education and/or certification
- Provide 2 professional references
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Courtney Goforth, MBA, SHRM-CP HR Rising Star Sponsor

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award - Unsung Hero
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This award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond their assigned areas of responsibility to make significant contributions to areas of diversity and inclusion in either their company or the community.
Eligibility
- Currently employed in HR or a related field; or a community volunteer
- GSHRM (designated primary chapter) and SHRM membership
- SHRM membership preferred but not required
Selection Criteria
- Contributions to organizational success in diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Innovation – e.g. implemented a new diversity strategy or initiative
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Nicole Andrews DEI Unsung Hero Sponsored by
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award - Companies
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Recognizes leading organizations that rank above average in CEO commitment to diversity and inclusion, human capital, corporate and organizational communication, and supplier diversity.
Eligibility
- A dual GSHRM / SHRM national member (GSHRM is designated primary chapter) must be employed at the organization or company
- A dual GSHRM / SHRM national member (GSHRM is designated primary chapter) must be involved in the company's DEI efforts
Award Criteria
- D & I impact on one or more of the 4 key areas listed above
- Complete application form and supporting documentation
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DEI Company Award Winner
Sponsored by 
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Previous Years' Award Recipients
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HR Professional of the Year Recipients
- 2020 Leslie Hayes, MA, SHRM-SCP
- 2019 Kelly C. Shumaker, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
- 2018 Mary Alice Bowers, SHRM-SCP
- 2017 Leigh Anna Compton, SPHR, SHRM-CP
- 2016 Robyn Knox, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
- 2015 Teresa Medlin, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, RCC
- 2014 Debra M. Ham, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR
- 2013 Celest Purdie, SPHR
- 2012 Jennifer Floyd, SPHR
- 2011 Donnie Brown, SPHR
- 2010 Susan Rector, SPHR
- 2009 Shay Myers, SPHR
- 2008 Teresa Medlin, SPHR
- 2007 Ronnie Brown, SPHR
- 2006 Michelle Malushizky
- 2005 George Hammett
- 2004 Barbara Wilson, SPHR
- 2003 Susan Lill, SPHR
- 2002 Marie Sitter, SPHR & Dean Crawford, SPHR
- 2001 David King
- 2000 Robbie Robinson
- 1999 Willis Tisdale, PHR
- 1998 Marilyn Messer, SPHR
- 1997 Andy Bindewald
- 1995-1996 Kenneth Britton, SPHR
- 1994 Walter Martin
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(HR Professional of the Year, Continued)- 1993 Jim McDonald
- 1992 Brent O’Shields, SPHR
- 1991 Paul Landers, PHR
- 1990 Eldon Russ, SPHR
- 1989 Carter Robinson, SPHR
Lifetime Achievement Recipients
- 2020 Debra M. Ham, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR
- 2019 Kevin Taylor, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
- 2018 Debbie Varner
- 2017 Bob Lowe
- 2016 Doug Dorman, CHHR, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, FACHE
- 2015 Steve Nail, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, RCC
- 2014 Marilyn Messer, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
- 2013 Donnie Brown, SPHR
- 2012 Carolyn Elsea, SPHR
- 2011 Lynn Gibbs
- 2010 Rhonda Lockhart, SPHR
- 2009 Marie Sitter, SPHR
- 2007 Susan Lill
- 2006 Bob Billings
- 2005 Bob Hunt, SPHR
- 2004 Andy Bindewald
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HR Rising Star Recipients
- 2020 John M. Serpa
- 2019 Clarence Wong, PHR
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Recipients
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