Celebrating Excellence in HR Leadership

Honoring innovation, resilience, and the transformative impact of HR professionals across Minnesota

Good Leadership, in collaboration with presenting sponsor Gallagher and media partner Twin Cities Business, proudly hosted the inaugural Minnesota HR THRIVE Awards in May. This new initiative was created to elevate the human resources profession, champion innovation, and celebrate resilient leaders whose impact extends far beyond policies and processes.

For more than sixteen years, HR leaders have partnered with Good Leadership to strengthen organizational effectiveness and leadership development. The creation of the HR THRIVE Awards was fueled by firsthand experience seeing how critical, strong, strategic human resources professionals are in building aligned teams and cultures of healthy accountability. Gallagher shares this experience and belief in the power of HR; the collaborative partnership brought HR THRIVE Awards to life.

HR honorees and finalists were recognized across four categories and selected by a judging committee that included Jim Horn of Ulteig, Lorri Anderson of HX Coaching & Consulting, and Christa Landers of Northern Trust Wealth Management:

NextGen HR Leaders Award
Honoring emerging HR professionals with 10 years of experience or less who are making a meaningful impact and demonstrating strong leadership potential.

Empower HR Award
Recognizing HR leaders who champion their peers, mentor others, and actively support the broader HR community.

HR Innovator Award
Celebrating HR professionals who advance their organizations through the thoughtful use of technology and digital transformation.

Good Leadership Award
Honoring HR leaders who drive business strategy, organizational effectiveness, and measurable results.

The honorees, finalists, and winners featured in these pages represent the depth, influence, and impact of HR leadership across Minnesota. Their work reflects the essential role HR professionals play every day, strengthening alignment, fostering healthy accountability, and shaping cultures where people and organizations thrive together.