(Nominated by Stephen Buttaccio and Stacey Bruce – both from Marquette – and industry peer Chris Monaghan)
Expertise and Leadership:
Stella more than 30 years of HR experience. She has a generalist background with a broad range of employee relations, recruiting, training, and staff supervision experience gained while working in human resources with four Erie, PA companies. Read More
She is certified in behavioral interviewing through DDI, conflict resolution and mediation through CHORDA and have obtained a GBA certification in benefits administration through the CEBS organization. Received her SPHR certification in 2010 and added the SHRM-SCP certification in 2015. Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mercyhurst University. – Stephen Buttaccio
Stella was hired as the very first HR professional at Marquette and in her current role as SVP of Human Resources, she provides strategic HR leadership that directly contributes to the successful achievement of functional and business objectives. – Christine M. Monaghan, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Influence and Involvement:
I am nominating Stella LaPaglia for the HR Person of the Year Award because of all she has done in the field of HR, but also for the organization and its staff. Read More
It’s one thing to come into work every day and be a good boss, it’s another to be able to bring the best out of your team and others in the company. Stella has been doing that, not just at Marquette, but at her previous jobs as well. It’s more than just a trend that follows her where she goes, it is the Stella way of life! Stella exudes what someone in the HR field should strive to be; confident, intelligent, humble, and personable. In over 30 years of HR experience, there are few things that Stella hasn’t seen, or have a good story to note the reason why HR does what HR needs to do. (Gotta love those Employment Laws!) For a budding new guy in HR, that is all I could ask for! I got lucky though and got so much more in having Stella as my boss. Her knowledge knows no bounds, and she truly sees the value in every moment as an opportunity to teach and share what she has learned in her time around the block of HR. She is more than just a boss, she is a pal and a confidant, if I may steal a line from the “Golden Girls” theme song. –Stephen Buttaccio
Stella displays honesty, integrity, exhibits professional HR expertise, she is a trusted HR advisor in the community, she develops and coaches others to be their best, and is a great role model. Stella is also very involved in her community. She served on the Big Brothers Big Sisters board for many years, the local HRMA SHRM chapter board, The Autism Society Board and is a member of the Erie Women’s Fund. She also was a champion for volunteer time for all employees at Marquette. Every employee receives four paid volunteer hours each year to volunteer at a charity of their choice. – Stacey Bruce
Stella is passionate about the Erie community and has volunteered on numerous nonprofit boards. She has served on the Big Brothers Big Sisters board for many years, The Autism Society Board and is a member of the Erie Women’s Fund. She is active with the local HRMA SHRM chapter and has volunteered on the board for many, many, many years. Stella is one of the most knowledgeable, caring, and passionate HR professionals I know. I personally owe a great deal of my career success to Stella, who unselfishly answered any and all questions I had when I started in the HR field and continues to this day. She has been a mentor and a friend. She sets the bar high, and I enthusiastically nominate her for the first HR Star Award. – Christine M. Monaghan, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Results and Achievement
While carrying the title of senior VP of HR, along with SPHR and SHRM-CP, Stella has paved the way for what Human Resources has looked like here at Marquette Savings Bank. Her dedication to the development of the HR team, as well as the staff employed here, has proven her track record as Marquette continues to have low turnover. Read More
She has also been a driving force in Marquette Savings Bank being named as “Best Banks to Work For” award for five years in a row. Stella has actively pushed the limit of what an HR department can do, and in turn, pushing the organization to grow and challenge themselves to the highest level of HR standards. Stella has fought for the employees here, making sure that no issue goes unresolved. She has pushed for more involvement of employees to help in the community and issued the policy of volunteer hours at Marquette, which allows employees four hours of paid time to go out and volunteer. Her thoughtfulness doesn’t stay within the walls of Marquette Savings Bank, Stella is proudly involved in the community as she serves on the board for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the local HRMA SHRM chapter board, the Autism Society board, and is a member of the Erie’s Women’s Fund. Stella is also overseeing the newly developing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion council here at Marquette Savings Bank, which will be celebrating its first full year active later this year. There are hundreds of stories, moments, and reasons why I believe Stella should win this award, but the biggest is her overall contributions to the field of HR here in Erie County. She has established herself as a “Go-To” in the area and always has countless other HR members in various organizations that turn to her for advice, best practices, and a good story. – Stephen Buttaccio
At Marquette Savings Bank, Stella developed the HR department from the ground up and implemented new HR initiatives, programs and benefits for the employees. Stella is a champion of career development, employee relations and driving positive change. She is very experienced, dedicated, loyal and passionate in her role and has aided Marquette in winning the “Best Banks to Work For” five years in a row. – Stacey Bruce
Stella is focused on professional development and has earned both the SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. She has facilitated PHR/SPHR study courses through the Manufacturers & Business Association and many local HR professionals have achieved their certifications with her guidance. She also acquired a certification in behavioral interviewing through DDI, conflict resolution and mediation through CHORDA and obtained a GBA certification in benefits administration through the CEBS organization. Stella is a regular attendee at the Manufacturers and Business Association HR Roundtables, the HR Coffee Talk chats, and HRMA meetings. She is always learning and sharing her extensive knowledge. Stella has been a trusted advisor not only to the many employees and executives she has worked with, but also to the HR community. – Christine M. Monaghan, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
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