BNHRA Member Spotlight

PAST PRESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

1.          Briefly describe your background in HR and current role:

My background in HR began with an internship in Talent Acquisition which then led me to working in Recruitment and Staffing and then with Career Services within Higher Education.  My current role has pivoted from HR as I now work for the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, however my past HR experiences and the relationships I have built over time have provided a solid foundation for me to be successful in my current role as Member Services Manager. In this role I am the point of contact to assist with existing and perspective members on how the Chamber can best support them and be an extension of their brand while building relationships within the community.

2.          What do you enjoy most about the BNHRA?

I loved connecting with everyone and expanding my network with industry professionals. It was great when I could help facilitate making those connections for others and showcasing all the great things the BNHRA has to offer!   It was also great to attend conferences outside of the WNY area so I could learn what other chapters were doing to best support members but also share best practices that we were implementing.

3.          How long have you been involved with the BNHRA/what were your Board roles?

I have been involved with the BNHRA since 2016 and during that time held the roles of Past President, President and College Relations Director.

4.          What are some highlights from your tenure with the BNHRA board?

I really loved some of the new initiatives and programming that were implemented during my time with the BNHRA.  Our Board of Directors were so passionate and creative on how we could best provide engaging and informative events to our members that ranged from a variety of HR topics.  It was so rewarding to see events come to fruition and the values our members gained, it also showcased how talented our Board of Directors were!

5.          What has been the biggest influence on your career path? 

I would say deciding to go back to gradate school when I knew I wanted to pursue a career within the HR field.  My bachelor’s degree was in Culinary Arts and being in that field for about 10 years I knew I needed to go to graduate school and start with an internship in HR to really understand what I was looking for with my next career move.  I ended up pursuing my masters of arts in Organizational Leadership which was such a beneficial experience as I learned how many avenues I could pursue within the HR field that utilized my natural talents and love for building relationships. It was during this time that I also was first introduced to the BNHRA and quickly joined the BOD as the College Relations Director.  

6.          Advice for those entering the HR industry:  

The HR field has so many avenues to pursue and many times we find that they overlap.  Depending on the size of the     organization it may be a one-person operation or various departments.  With this it is okay to learn the ins and outs of what each entail to best determine what might be the best fit.  I was fortunate to start my HR career with an internship which was a great help for me to identify what I was looking for in a career.  I would also say network with industry professionals, identify a mentor (which the BNHRA can help with) and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  HR is a revolving door where no two days may be alike so having that network such as the BNHRA is a great resource to help you learn and succeed!

Spotlighted Member

Janelle Camesano, PHR, SHRM-CP

Chief Executive Officer
Harper International
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