stories and real leaders to the forefront, Humans of HRPA.
Before the session began, attendees connected over breakfast, meeting new peers and reconnecting with familiar faces at the heart of our profession. Afterward, the room buzzed with reflection and renewed energy as conversations continued about what it means to lead with people at the centre.
This Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) event was not about policy or performance metrics. It was about the human side of HR: resilience, purpose, belonging, and the courage it takes to lead through change. We were brought back to the reason we do this work, to better support our people, our most powerful resource.
The Stories That Moved Us at Humans of HRPA
Karen Collins, Chief Talent Officer and Head of CHRO Teams at BMO Financial Group, shared how she has built trust and resilience in one of North America’s top financial institutions. She came with decades of leadership experience across banking, wealth management, and corporate transformation, and leading through uncertainty. Her reflections reminded us that culture is not a policy but a daily practice that starts with how leaders show up for their people.
Penny Farinha, Senior Vice President, People at Cordelio Power, reflected on her journey leading HR in high-growth and fast-changing environments. Having scaled people operations at FreshBooks, VarageSale, and ecobee, including during one of Canada’s largest tech acquisitions, Penny understands the importance of building cultures that balance performance with wellbeing. She sees that sustainable success depends on workplaces that allow people to thrive, not burn out.
Rishma Hudda, CHRL, Vice President and Head of Human Resources at General Mills Canada, brought warmth and wisdom to the conversation. With over 25 years of leadership in consumer goods and retail, she shared how empathy and accountability can coexist in strong cultures. She spoke about leading with care, even through transformation, and about how authenticity and vulnerability have shaped her approach to leadership.
Each story was real and relatable. Together, our speakers painted a picture of HR leadership that balances heart and strategy, humanity and high performance.
Why Humans of HRPA Matters
At the HRPA, we believe that when HR leaders connect as humans first, everything else follows: stronger organizations, healthier cultures, and a more prosperous Ontario.
Events like Humans of HRPA remind us that behind every strategy is a story, behind every policy is a person, and behind every great workplace is a leader who shows up authentically.
Stay Tuned for more Humans of HRPA
This is only the beginning. Humans of HRPA is more than an event series; it is a growing movement that celebrates the stories, struggles, and successes that define our profession.
Join us for the next Humans of HRPA event on January 29, 2026, and be part of this community of HR leaders who are redefining what it means to lead with heart.