2025 HR Executive of the Year Awards

Criteria

Each nomination will be evaluated based on the nominee's commitment to the HR profession, successes in his or her past as well as current positions, contributions to the community, impact on the lives of others, and the success of his or her organization.

Nominees must meet the following criteria:

Currently employed as an HR executive
Is the company’s highest-ranking HR person residing in Michigan
Has at least 10 years of HR management experience
Demonstrates consistent proven successes, enthusiasm, and leadership/support of the HR profession
Applies professional experience both inside and outside his or her company.

One winner is selected from each category:

HR Executive of a for-profit organization with fewer than 1,000 employees
HR Executive of a for-profit organization with 1,000 or more employees
HR Executive of a health & human services organization with fewer than 500 employees
HR Executive of a health & human services organization with 500 or more employees

A selection committee consisting of ASE board members, past award recipients, and HR Executives - men and women who know the HR profession and the demands and expectations placed on an HR Executive today - will consider each nomination and select the award winners. Each nomination will be evaluated based on the nominee's commitment to the HR profession, successes in his or her past as well as current positions, contributions to community, impact on the lives of others, and the success of his or her organization.

Nominations for 2025 are now closed.

HR Excellence Awards & Reception

March 12, 2026
3:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Wrap up the 2026 HR Conference by joining us for the HR Excellence Awards & Reception from 3:15 to 6:00 p.m. Enjoy snacks, beer, and wine as you connect with peers and recognize outstanding HR leadership. This event honors the HR Executives of the Year and the Emerging HR Leader, offering a perfect opportunity to congratulate the award winners and network with colleagues from across Michigan’s HR community.

*If you’re attending the HR Conference, your reception ticket is included.

Purchase Awards & Reception Ticket

2025 HR Executives of the Year

Jason Lioy
Chief People Officer
Dawn Foods

Jason Lioy is the Chief People Officer for Dawn Foods, a global leader in bakery manufacturing and ingredients distribution. As Chief People Officer, Jason manages the people, processes, policies, and procedures at Dawn Foods. He is responsible for developing over 4,000 of Dawn’s team members for long-term success globally – including across the company’s three core regions: Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, and North America. Jason also helps to build Dawn's brand and culture into one that attracts, motivates, and retains talented collaborators.

A people leader at Dawn since 2014, Jason's previous roles include global HR leadership and development experience, with a strong background on HR operations in manufacturing plants like Philips, GE, and Armstrong World Industries.

When he is not working hard at Dawn Foods, Jason enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two sons.

Kimberly Simoneau
Director of Human Resources
Adrian Steel Company

Kim Simoneau is the Director of Human Resources at Adrian Steel Company, where she has led HR through a period of extraordinary growth while creating an organizational culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

With 20+ years of HR experience in a wide range of industries, Kim has established the HR function as a strategic cornerstone of Adrian Steel Company, aligning people strategies with business goals. Her influence goes far beyond traditional HR responsibilities – she is a change agent who challenges the status quo and consistently pushes the organization to innovate for both the business and its people. She is a trusted member of the leadership team whose insights are leveraged for key business decisions and strategies that shape the future of the company.

Kim has successfully integrated newly created or acquired companies, each with its own culture, systems, and people, resulting in improved benefits, dedicated HR support, and increased safety for employees.

Beyond her own team, Kim is a mentor and teacher to leaders across the organization. She invests time in helping others become more effective managers, more empathetic listeners, and more strategic thinkers.

Natalie Brown, SPHR, SHRM-CP
Vice President of Human Resources
Emergent Health Partners

Natalie R. Brown, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a Human Resources Executive with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience across healthcare, higher education, and professional services. As Vice President of Human Resources at Emergent Health Partners, she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, talent pipelines, and workforce engagement for over 900 employees.

Before joining Emergent, Natalie served as Human Resources Director at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, where she aligned HR strategy with the institution’s academic mission and co-led diversity and racial healing initiatives. Earlier in her career, she directed national HR operations for PMA Consultants, overseeing multi-state teams and global assignments. A respected thought leader and advocate for equity and inclusion, Natalie serves on the Brio Living Services Board of Trustees.

Natalie holds an MBA and BS in Business Administration from Florida A&M University and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from Eastern Michigan University. She is also a Certified Mediator and Mental Health First Aider.

Cheryl Weiland, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Senior Director, Human Resources
UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust

Cheryl Weiland is the Senior Director, Human Resources for the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust. She has over 25 years of experience as a performance-driven Human Resources Leader.

Cheryl has an exceptional talent for building HR departments from the ground up and oversees all elements of Human Resources to deliver best practices with unbiased guidance to all employees. She excels at building relationships globally at all levels, with a keen sensitivity to environmental cultures and regions. Cheryl is a strategic problem solver who works to balance individual and organizational needs. She is also dedicated to implementing work/life balance options to optimize the lives of employees while upholding the business culture. Cheryl constructively challenges differences of opinion and is always willing to share her insights, knowledge, experiences, and lessons learned with the team. She is a respected business partner with a proven track record of influencing executive leadership and implementing change.

Past Honorees*

For Profit Organizations with 1,000 or more Michigan Employees:

Eugene Hynde, Global Vice President, Human Resources, Hilite International

Jennifer Husby, Vice President of Human Resources - Americas Region, KUKA U.S. Holdings Company, LLC

Sandy Patel, SHRM-CP, PHR, Head of HR, Americas, Altimetrik

Jenifer Zbiegien, Vice President Human Resources and Marketing, Aludyne, Inc.

Kathie Patterson, Chief Human Resources Officer, Ally Financial

Diane M. Anthishin, Vice President, HR Operations, DTE Energy
Kris Munroe, HR Director, Roush Enterprises, Inc.

Adam Jeffries, Vice President of Human Resources, North America, Faurecia North America Scott Pepin, Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources, Federal-Mogul Powertrain

John J. Quattrone, Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources, General Motors

Kevin Butler, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Delphi Corporation

Nancy Rae, Senior Vice President - Human Resources, Chrysler Group LLC

Larry E. Steward, Vice President, Human Resources, DTE Energy Company

Ann F. Federici, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, AAA Auto Club Group (ACG)

Felicia J. Fields, Group Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Services, Ford Motor Company

Neil Marchuk, EVP Human Resources, TRW Automotive

Paul F. Walters, Executive Vice President, Administration, Penske Corporation

Daniel R. Foley, Vice President, Human Resources, Masco Corporation

Roger A. Jackson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Lear Corporation

Joe W. Laymon, Group Vice President, Corporate Human Resources and Labor Affairs, Ford Motor Company

For Profit Organizations with fewer than 1,000 Michigan Employees:

Stephanie Miletich, PHR, Director, HR, Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon

Danielle Williams, Senior Vice President of Talent, Class Valuation, LLC

Jacqueline Hernandez, Vice President of Human Resources, Superior Electric Great Lakes Company

Deanna Cain, Head of Human Resources, RPT Realty

Sara VanWagoner, Vice President of Corporate Growth Strategies, Edcor

Denise Dorigo Jones, Director, Human Resources, Nemak
Julia Kellogg, PHR, SHRM-CP, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, North American Bancard
Brenda Gallick, Director of Team Success, Billhighway
Meghan Berg, HR Director, Fortis Energy Services, Inc.
Gale L. LaRoche, Vice President, Human Resources and Adminstration, Wayne County Airport Authority
Bryan L. Gilleland, Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Planning, Frankenmuth Insurance
Mark Jenkins, Vice President of Human Resources, Logicalis
Kari Lawry, Vice President of Human Resources, Atlas Oil Company
Taya Johnston, Human Resources Manager, Plex Systems
Karen F. Andrews, Chief Development Officer, McKinley, Inc.
Christine McDermott, Director, Human Resources, GHAFARI Associates
Jennifer Piscopink, Vice President, Human Resources, Carhartt, Inc.
Elaine Sobieray, Vice President of HR and Administration, Allied Office Interiors, Inc.
Michael "Mac" McAdams, Director of Human Resources, Beaumont Services Company
Laura Gutierrez, Director of Human Resources, The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn

Health & Human Services Organizations with 500 or more Michigan Employees:

Andria George, Vice President, HR, Genisys Credit Union
Nina Ramsey, EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Henry Ford Health
Susan D. Murphy, Chief People Officer, Greenpath Financial Wellness
Justin Walworth, Chief Human Resources Officer, Peckham, Inc.
Laurita Thomas, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, University of Michigan
Elizabeth Wilcox, Associate VP, Human Resources, Kettering University
Greg Ghilardi, Chief Human Resources Officer, MidMichigan Health
Cynthia M. Glass, Vice President of Administrative Service and Human Resources, Henry Ford College
Sharon Butler, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, Michigan State University
Barbara A. Palmer, Corporate VP, Human Resources and Employee Services, Botsford Hospital
William Peterson, Vice President, Human Resources, McLaren Health Care Corporation
Deloris Hunt, Senior Vice President, Chief HR Officer, Detroit Medical Center
Kathy Oswald, Senior Vice President, Chief HR Officer, Henry Ford Health System
James Lewis, Vice President, Human Resources, NSF International
Mary K. Naber, Senior Vice President and Chief Worklife Services Officer, St. John Health System
Mark A. Kennedy, Chief Human Resources Officer, Mott Community College
Debra Canales, Executive Vice President, Organization and Talent Effectiveness, Trinity Health
Alison Bailey, Senior Vice President - Human Resources, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

Health & Human Services Organizations with fewer than 500 Michigan Employees:

Lisa Campbell, Director of Talent & Culture, Ford House

Trina Groce, HR Director, TechTown Detroit

Jody Connally, HR Director, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network
Chantele Stevenson, Director of Human Resources, Archdiocese of Detroit

Andrew McKinnon, Director, Macomb County Human Resources and Labor Relations, Macomb County

Michelle Hansel, Vice President, Human Resources, Detroit Regional Chamber
Melissa Pena Gallis, Chief Talent Officer, Leader Dogs for the Blind
Danielle Crane, Chief Administrative Officer, GreenPath Financial Wellness
Ron Carr, Human Resources Director, United Way of Southeastern Michigan
Teresa Schwartz, Vice President of Human Resource, JVS
Nancy McKeague, Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Michigan Health & Hospital Association
Joan Cliff, Director of Human Resources and Quality, Adult Well-Being
Anathea L. Collar, Vice President, Human Resources, Arbor Hospice
Julie Jones, Director of Human Resources, HAVEN