Mentors & Remembering Kathleen

As someone who has worked in the field of HR for a while, we (HR) often forget the affect we have on others and how we can impact the lives of others both positively and negatively.  In fact, just after Ryleigh was born, I visited my home town of Topeka, Kansas, where I ran into the local Target store for some baby essentials–formula and diapers.  The cashier looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her face.  She quickly realized that I was her first Executive Team Relations Leader at Target almost 10 years ago in a city almost 300 miles away from the Kansas State Capital.  She made my weekend telling me how I was her favorite HR Manager and referenced some of the silly things I did to try to motivate my team late at night and during the busy holiday.  It’s funny because I hadn’t thought about the funny dances, silly games, and paper hats (don’t ask) for years.  From the passion and laughter in her voice, it was clear I had made an impression and an impact on her life and career.

In fact it’s amazing the little things that touch people’s soul and the small personal touches that can forever change someone’s perspective.  A little more than four and a half years ago I walked into my first Oklahoma City Human Resource Society Meeting. Having just relocated to Oklahoma City by way of Kansas City and Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, the room was full of strangers.  Not one to feel much of a stranger for long, I made my way to the registration table where I was greeted by two smiling HR Professionals one of which was Kathleen Lyons.

Kathleen might not have remembered that day but I did.  She was extremely friendly and welcoming and made several introductions before we sat down starting our meeting.  Having visited and been a member of handful of chapters prior, I was extremely impressed.  I joined the local chapter at the end of the meeting and have been a member ever since.  It’s memories like that one  as well as remembering hearing Kathleen present at a chapter annual legal update where she spoke about I-9′s. Having known her for a short time, I was extremely impressed with her confidence even after announcing to the audience that she was in fact extremely nervous.  I called and emailed Kathleen on several occasions after that presentation asking for her recommendations and advice.  She was always happy to answer my questions.  I looked up to her.  I admired  her.  She is and was someone I want and wanted to be.

Last Friday, the Oklahoma Human Resource community lost an amazing woman and human resource professional.  Like many, I had followed Kathleen’s Facebook posts and pictures about her upcoming vacation to the Smokey Mountains.  Last Friday on her way to her vacation, a car hydroplaned out of control on the wet highway near Tulsa ending Kathleen’s life as she stood on the turnpike shoulder.

Last Friday, the world lost a wonderful woman who the entire state and possibly the entire SHRM organization looked up to.  She certainly influenced my decision to obtain my SPHR certification and has been influential in many of my other career decisions.  Always the consummate HR professional, Kathleen was a leader and mentor, wife, mother, and friend.  She impacted me and others in so many ways helping grow and shape employees, managers, women, and young HR professionals.

Thank you, Kathleen for making me feel welcome.  Thank you for being a great mentor and person in which to look up to.  I won’t let you down.

Photo Credit MC2.

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