Chamber members Beckfield, Marshall finalists for HR Professional of the Year

Two Eau Claire Chamber members, Kelsie Beckfield of Great Northern Corporation and Deb Marshal of Wipfli, were among the finalists in the large employer category for HR Professional of the Year, an annual award presented by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce at its Policy Day in Madison, which was held on August 13.  The award is sponsored by ​Ogletree Deakins.

Photo on left: Deb Marshall, left, and Kelsie Beckfield, right
Photo on right: List of all nominees 
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Deborah Marshall of Wipfli was nominated because of her great work at Wipfli, both internally and in the community. Focusing on helping small to medium rural employers, she assists Wipfli clients as well as other HR professionals by serving as a strong resource and mentor. Deb started a “Human Resource Business Forum” to bring professionals together to meet and discuss important topics as well as network to grow professionally. She now runs these forums around the state. Internally, she constantly pushes for a team atmosphere and is able to ensure Wipfli employees are a united team to best serve their clients. She also originated the annual Western & Central Wisconsin Wage Survey, now in its 20th year.

Kelsie Beckfield of Great Northern Corporation has been an active volunteer with her local SHRM chapter for several years. As part this volunteerism, she is leading the effort to create a marketing video for the Chippewa Valley area titled “Make Chippewa Valley,” modeled on the Think.Make.Happen campaign from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. She has worked hard to grow local SHRM membership by 17% as she worked up the ranks all the way to President of the Chippewa Valley SHRM chapter. Internally at GNC, she has improved the company culture by, among other things, implementing an employee recognition and thank you system, monthly wellness challenges, and an updated flex policy to allow greater work life balance, resulting in a decrease in worker turnover – something critical in today’s job market.

Winner of the large employer category was Chuck Klein, Exact Sciences Corporation. 

“Human resources professionals may not always get the credit for the impact they have on business, but they are critical to recruiting, developing and retaining talent,” said Chris Reader, WMC Director of Health & Human Resources Policy. “Our winners deserve immense credit for the value they bring to the business community and their leadership in the human resources profession.”

Awards were presented to individuals of high moral and ethical standing who have demonstrated the value of the HR function with their organization through the implementation of best practices, organizational design and effectiveness, and alignment and accomplishment of the strategic direction of the organization.

“Ogletree Deakins is honored to be the presenting sponsor of the 2019 Human Resources Professional of the Year Awards,” said Keith Kopplin, Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins. “We congratulate all of the winners and thank them for their commitment to improving the industry.”

More information:
​HR Professional of the Year recognition (Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce)
Western & Central Wisconsin Wage Survey (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)

Posted by Scott Rogers, Governmental Affairs & Workforce Director
rogers@eauclairechamber.org