A Program Designed for Me: The HR Cohort

It was during an elective HR Management course that I discovered a new passion. I had been on the fast track to finishing my associate’s degree in accounting and business management when this seed was planted. At the time, I was working at a local bank in the operations and finance space with the idea that I would continue my career as an accountant. Well...I jumped into the HR realm with both feet!

I graduated with an associate's degree and immediately rolled my credits over to finish my bachelor's degree in accounting, to then run straight into a Human Resources Management graduate program. During this time, I was being promoted following the finance path, and my mentor and boss pushed me to take on some more HR duties. After two years, I graduated and could not wait to work full-time in HR. I was living by a specific motto by that point.

Human Resources is the bridge between the company and employees.

And I used that motto throughout my climb up the corporate HR ladder. It was 2015, I was 26 when I graduated with my MBA, and I needed more real-life experience. And boy...did I get it! I went on to gain exposure to M&A as the party being acquired. This led to HUGE change management initiatives and the merging of two great HR teams into one.

I then moved on to work at a construction company where I had moved quickly through the ranks, and by 2018, I was running the department. And I was starting to feel the years of rapid growth and change to my body, my soul, and my energy. My private life had been put through the ringer during those years, and by 2019, I was questioning everything.

It was through endless struggles and looking for answers in self-help books, therapy appointments (which have their place but weren't what I needed then), drinks with friends, and outright nights contemplating why I made the choice to follow this profession that I found the answer - coaching. Later, I found out that this practice has been around for decades, and I had just understood the impact.

I embarked on my coaching journey in mid-2019 as a Human Resources Director, not knowing that COVID-19 was right around the corner. I enrolled in a career coach training course online. It was an 18-month program designed to prepare coaches to ethically coach individuals. My goal when I started the program was to learn skills that would bring purpose back into my career and bring tools to my management (all levels) team to better coach their teams for success. But what I got was so much more.

It took me a few years to finally land on coaching fellow lovers of HR. Of course, we were all trying to survive the pandemic with brand new and challenging circumstances. Throughout that time, I had lost two very important people in my life. I lost my boss and mentor during a meeting, and my beloved father, who had worked as hard as he could his entire life out of love for my mom, sisters, and me. And after deep reflecting on their loss to this world, I stopped and again, realigned what is most important to me.

Don't squander the life God has given you. Live with grace and love.

For so long, I have been living in two worlds. I was living as "Malarie - the HR professional" and as "Malarie - the multifaceted, daughter, wife, friend, sister, dog mom, and lover of a good joke". And it was slowly eroding my authenticity. I did not want to take myself so seriously that my only joy in life was work. I wanted to fill my cup and bring my best every day through who I truly am.

In 2023, I had the idea to build a program specific to what I wanted. I longed to connect deeply with someone who knew exactly what challenges I faced in my professional career. I wanted to be able to acquire PDCs with SHRM and HRCI. I wanted to learn new skills (which I did through the 18-month program. And I wanted to recharge how I felt in my career. I no longer wanted to search for answers in places where they didn't exist. I wanted to find the answers with me.

I have learned so much about myself. I can, with ease and authenticity, name my values. I can quickly identify when something is running up against my values and why. And I can articulate when to pivot. I have more power within me through what I have learned through coaching than I ever have. And I want to share that with you.

Which brings me to today, it's here, I'm doing it. I'm here for you. I'm showing up as the help I needed in 2019 and 2020 - for you.

The HR Coach's mission is to empower as many HR professionals as possible on their journey, supporting their growth, and encouraging them to create positive change within themselves and their organizations. I aspire to be your cheerleader, championing a culture of compassion and empowerment.​

With unwavering determination and a heart full of empathy, I am on a quest to make a difference in the world of Human Resources. Together, we can leave a lasting mark, creating workplaces that nurture and inspire individuals to reach their full potential.

I'm Malarie, your HR Coach who finds immense joy and purpose in being your cheerleader!