HR Excellence Award Nominations

Beginning in July 2026, the Sioux Empire Society for Human Resource Management (SESHRM) is excited to launch our Quarterly HR Excellence Awards. Each quarter, we will recognize one outstanding HR professional who demonstrates innovation, leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to advancing the human resources profession throughout the Sioux Empire. Quarterly recipients will also be eligible for our annual chapter recognition at the end of the year.

2026 Award Schedule

  • Quarter 1: July – September 2026 (Nominations now open)

  • Quarter 2: October – December 2026

2027 Award Schedule

  • Quarter 1: January – March 2027

  • Quarter 2: April – June 2027

  • Quarter 3: July – September 2027

  • Quarter 4: October – December 2027

Nominations for the July–September 2026 quarter close on September 30, 2026.

Help recognize an outstanding HR Professional today!

Each quarter, SESHRM will recognize one outstanding HR professional who exemplifies leadership, integrity, innovation, and a commitment to advancing the human resources profession. Quarterly recipients will also be eligible for our annual chapter recognition at the end of the year.

We encourage you to nominate an HR professional who is making a meaningful impact within their organization and the HR community. Outstanding HR professionals are strategic business partners who lead by example, mentor emerging professionals, share best practices with fellow SESHRM members, actively participate in the chapter, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and professional excellence.

Nominees may demonstrate excellence through accomplishments such as:

  • Sustains a record of accomplishments or contributions to the human resource field throughout the scope of their career.
  • Retains a commendable reputation with colleagues, superiors, and the community.
  • Exhibits and demonstrates a commitment to the highest ethical standards and professional excellence.

Significant contributions to their company/organization through implementation of best practices, organization design and effectiveness, and alignment and accomplishment of the strategic direction of their company.

Qualifications

  • Must be a Professional Member of the SESHRM Chapter #217 in good standing
  • Actively employed in the Human Resource field
  • PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is strongly encouraged but not required
  • Must uphold the highest level of ethical standards

If you have any questions please contact our Past President on our Board Members page.

    Distinguished HR Professional of the Year (5+ years HR experience)

    These individuals are strategic business partners – they serve as role models for the human resource profession, who are 'leaders' rather than 'followers', who set standards for others and the human resource profession, and who apply their professional expertise outside of their organizations. This could be through mentoring newer Human Resource professionals, collaborating with fellow SESHRM members by sharing best practices and are actively engaged in the SESHRM chapter. They lead by example; demonstrating a commitment to bold exploration, risk taking and learning both failure and success.

    Emerging HR Professional of the Year (2+ years HR experience)

    These individuals have been able to dive right into the human resource profession, make an impact to their organization by creating new and streamlined approaches to achieve more effective processes and/or are developing methods to strengthen the SESHRM community. They embrace the values of SESHRM and have shown commitment to their human resources role and the chapter. They do not let lack of experience get in the way of making breakthroughs or impacting positive change.

    Previous Recipients

    Distinguished Professionals:

    Emerging Professionals:

    Sioux Empire SHRM is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. | PO Box 1302 | Sioux Falls, SD 57101 | Chapter #217

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