Distinguished HR Professional of the Year (5+ yrs 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 Award (2+ yrs 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.