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Black history is an essential part of the history of our nation, our communities and our company. Black associates have been key members of the Rudolph Libbe Group team since our earliest years. In a series of articles this year, we are celebrating the contributions of current associates and retirees, and expressing our gratitude to them for being a part of the Rudolph Libbe Group.<\/p>\n
\u2014Bill Rudolph, Chairman, Rudolph Libbe Group<\/p>\n
A desire to be an advocate and a voice for others led Heather Hagans to a career in human resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to help people and to me, Human Resources is customer service for employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heather joined GEM Inc. as a human resources generalist in May 2021, after working as a recruiter for substitute teachers. \u201cI\u2019m learning my role and the construction lingo. I am a part of an amazing HR team, a knowledgeable group of women. They exemplify our company culture to the fullest. And so far, there has not been a situation where I couldn\u2019t express how I feel or had to wonder if I was being heard,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
With her family\u2019s support, she recently earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in business, with HR certification. With Rudolph Libbe Group\u2019s support, she is pursuing certification as a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)-Certified Professional. Ultimately, she wants to specialize in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.<\/p>\n
Last year, a college friend asked Heather to help create an organization focused on serving the homeless.\u00a0A Happy Smile: The Hope Foundation, while still in its developmental stage, will provide food, shelter and other services to those in need. Heather also volunteers with My Sister\u2019s House for Girls in Toledo, a mentorship program.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was blown away my first week here at Rudolph Libbe Group. I was asked what my career goals were and what tools I needed to be successful. I\u2019ve never experienced that with any other company.\u201d<\/p>\n
In too many workplaces, a Black woman will be labeled \u201cangry\u201d for being assertive, straightforward or just expressing an opinion. It\u2019s a world where, when she was once stopped by the police, she was so frightened that she couldn\u2019t immediately find her license, registration and proof of insurance. \u201cAll I kept thinking was, \u2018What will happen to my three kids sitting in the backseat if something happens to me?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
A single mom of three, Heather hopes to raise strong daughters who will be seen as assertive, not \u201cbossy.\u201d She has deeper concerns for her son.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hope for my son is that he doesn\u2019t have a target on his back. When does my son stop being cute and when does he become a threat? And he\u2019s only three. There\u2019s a stereotype for Black men. It\u2019s a mother\u2019s worst nightmare to learn that her son had Skittles in his pocket and was shot dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Awareness is the first step toward a better world, she said. \u201cOnce you become aware, you have a responsibility to learn how to be the best ally\u2014by actively listening. Not to receive a response, but to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n