Next Gen HR Leaders Award
Honorees
Taylor Gardner
Vice President of HR, Northeast Bank
Taylor Gardner’s energy, enthusiasm, and contagious positivity inspire her team and foster a motivated work environment at Northeast Bank. She has spearheaded significant changes, from new broker and carrier partnerships to revised renewal dates. Gardner’s commitment to modernize HR practices has improved operations and led to the bank’s first open enrollment process using Employee Navigator, eliminating the previous paper-based enrollment system.
Jon Harden
HR Manager, Computype
Jon Harden consistently goes above and beyond to support employees at Computype, offering thoughtful guidance, listening with empathy, and ensuring everyone feels valued and heard. He exhibits immense care, spending a large portion of his time outside of his office and “on the floor” with people. By skillfully balancing the needs of individuals with the goals of the organization, Harden makes a meaningful impact on morale, engagement, and overall success.
Sarah Landers-Balder
Benefits Specialist, City of Saint Paul
Sarah Landers-Balder’s work ethic and talent for connection led to her rapid advancement at the City of Saint Paul. Her ability to break down complex information into clear, accessible guidance helps employees feel supported and confident in their decisions. From assisting new hires with benefits enrollment to helping retiring employees navigate Medicare and Social Security, Landers-Balder meets each employee where they are, bringing patience and empathy to each situation.
Jenna Longo
Employee Experience Business Partner, Caribou Coffee
In less than two years, Jenna Longo has taken tremendous steps to ensure every employee feels heard and valued, from doubling participation in employee engagement surveys to championing inclusion by serving as the company liaison for Caribou’s two employee resource groups and engagement council. To create more opportunities for cross-company connection, Longo also organizes a monthly brunch-and-learn series at corporate headquarters.
Beth McWilliams
HR Manager, U.S. Bank Stadium (Legends Global)
Beth McWilliams leads all HR efforts for U.S. Bank Stadium’s employees. She also spearheads the office’s social and cultural activities, including employee recognition and community relations programs. McWilliams is dedicated to continuous learning and earned her SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification in 2024. In 2025, she created a new program for part-time employees to build leadership skills, broaden networks, and pinpoint individual strengths.
Bincy Mitchell
Director of HR, Greater Twin Cities United Way
Bincy Mitchell’s attentive, humble, and confident leadership style drives success throughout Greater Twin Cities United Way. She has championed initiatives that prioritize well-being, foster belonging, and encourage professional growth while mentoring and collaborating with others. A strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Mitchell elevates voices that might otherwise go unheard. She views HR as a people-first driver of organizational success.
Ashley Ross
Director of People & Culture, Points North
Ashley Ross’s passion for continuous improvement is evident in the transformational change she has effected during just one year with Points North. Highlights include leading a leadership development program, streamlining performance reviews with automation, launching a company-wide intranet, and guiding employee engagement survey efforts. Ross also leads the company’s culture committee — 100 percent of respondents say they’ll attend future events.
Chelsie Tilkens
Senior HR Generalist, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
In the past year, Chelsie Tilkens has championed employee engagement strategies that significantly increased participation and satisfaction; improved onboarding programs to ensure new hires feel welcomed and prepared; and streamlined internal HR processes to make them more efficient, transparent, and accessible. Among the results of her efforts: measurable gains in communication, retention, and morale, along with a culture where employees feel supported.