Meet The Disruptors: Yvette Henry of DisruptHR New Orleans

Who are the people that are taking the lead in disrupting the future of work?

They’re the official Disruptors (Organizers) of DisruptHR events held in cities around the world. Each week, we’ll introduce you to one of these intelligent, inspiring, and beautiful people (okay, pick two) who have stepped up, and volunteered to organize a Disrupt HR event in their city.

Yvette Henry of DisruptHR New Orleans (Disruptor #139)

LinkedIn – Yvette Henry

Twitter – @YvetteHenry

Who are you, and what do you do in your “day job”?

My name is Yvette Henry. I am the Director of Human Resources, Universal Data, Inc.

Universal Data, Inc. is an Information Technology Professional Services MSP and Consulting firm.

How did you first hear about DisruptHR?

I first heard of DisrupthHR while having a conversation with a peer from Cincinnati at the 2016 SHRM National Conference in DC.

Why did you decide to raise your hand and become an organizer for DisruptHR events in New Orleans?

I have always believed that we needed an after-hours networking exchange that could bring HR professionals and the business community together to share ideas and knowledge. DisruptHR provided me with a platform to organize an engaging networking exchange.

How many events have you organized?

We organized our first event on January 27, 2017. Our 2nd networking exchange is scheduled for October 11, 2017. There were 90 attendees at the 1st event.

What types of people/industries have attended your events?

Our first event included a diverse group of professionals from within the community and out of state. Attendees included corporate CEO’s, Labor Attorneys (Partners), HR professionals (included all levels VP, Directors, and Managers), CFOs, entrepreneurs and other business professionals.

DisrupthHR New Orleans attendees represented a broad spectrum of industries. Industries represented included Energy, O&G, State and Local government agencies, Insurance, Information Technology, Non-Profit, Employment, Hospitality, the New Orleans Convention Center, and Services/Recruitment.

What are you most proud of that has come out of being involved with/organizing DisruptHR events?

I am most proud of the information exchange of bringing people together and business that has been developed among participants who attended the 1st event.

What kind of feedback have you received from those who attended prior DisruptHR New Orleans events?

The follow-up feed back from Mag Bickford meant the world to me:

“I wanted to say thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your inaugural event. I really liked the format and the other speakers were great. I know that the electronic issues probably drove you crazy but those things are easily fixable. Let me know if you need any additional help. I have other speakers at the firm if you need them.”

What is your favorite DisruptHR Talk, and why?

Mag Bickford’s talk on the Employee Handbook! It was absolutely great! She told war stories and the importance of what we should and shouldn’t document in a handbook. There were a lot of aha’s and a good deal of humor in her presentation,

Based off of the Talks and conversations at your events, what do you feel are the areas with the biggest opportunity for disruption?

The biggest opportunity has been business development.

What excites you or frustrates you about the future of work, your career and/or DisruptHR?

I love the work that I do! I have built two Human Resource departments from the ground up and am currently in the process of building my third department (employees have ranged from 50 to 250). It’s exciting to be a strategic partner who has a seat at the table whose input is recognized and actually helps drive the vision of an organization forward. From talent acquisition to benefits or resolving day to day workplace issues, the work of an HR professional is never dull. If anything, its exciting at best.

As much as I love technology, Human Resources is a people job. I find that it is important to keep our pulse on the people that work for and with us. That means you have to sometimes get away from the computer, walk the halls, say hello and talk to people. Let them know that they are important, we are here for them and we want the time that they spend in the workplace to be as pleasant as possible. I am a firm believer that “the employees are a company’s greatest asset.”

Follow What’s Happening With DisruptHR New Orleans:

– DisruptHR New Orleans Community Page

– DisruptHR New Orleans Facebook Page

– #DisruptHRNOLA Twitter mentions