Janelle Camesano

1.          Briefly describe your background in HR:

I started in HR as I was finishing up my MBA; it was my first professional job after school.  However, much of what I know about motivating, coaching, and working with others comes from a decade of work in the fast-food industry, where I started as a PT associate and worked to the store management level.

2.          What do you enjoy most about the BNHRA?

I enjoy meeting other HR professionals and getting to pick their brains.  Over the years I have relied on my BNHRA contacts for many things – to compare notes on certain issues or to get perspective on how their companies handle policies or situations.  I found this particularly useful when I was a department of one.

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

When I started my HR job, my boss quickly recommended I join BNHRA and seek HR certification. I was fortunate to have the full support of my Company. Shortly after joining I was asked to take on the Gov’t Affairs board position (a role I knew very little about!).  After serving a term in this role I moved to the President-Elect position and eventually President and Past-President.

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

I remember a particularly fun BOD meeting where we had wine with our conversation!  That wasn’t normal so it certainly stands out.  My first NYS leadership conference is another highlight.  The content was great and the connections even better…I remember thinking I couldn’t believe there was no fee for the conference.

5.          In your spare time, what do you like to do for fun? 

I have a husband and 2 young kids, so most of my non-work time is spent with them. We like to travel, take adventures, swim, hike, or just hang out.  I love anything that involves moving my body – walking, swimming, exercising – and reading.

6.          What is your favorite thing about the Buffalo/Niagara community?

The general kinship and informality of it. I think Buffalonians feel a connection to others just by being “from here”.   I’ve never felt any pressure to be a certain way or show up a certain way.

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

Probably my early career, working at McDonalds.  I learned that although we can be very different from each other, there’s always something that unites us.  And that work CAN be fun – the mindset you bring, and how you treat each other, makes all the difference.

8.          Advice for those entering the HR industry:  

Be open-minded! One of my greatest growth opportunities came from agreeing to project-manage a move into a new building.  It wasn’t necessarily part of my position at the time, but I was open to it and learned a ton.  Over the course of my career, I didn’t turn down any opportunity to work outside of my core (HR) function.  I took time to get to know what our business does, and to be curious about all aspects.  This made me significantly more credible as an HR person.