LaNee’ Kittrell

What attracted you to Nonprofit HR? Two things attracted me to Nonprofit HR. First, I was in a previous role overseeing HR & Global Talent Strategy. I was really blessed to have that role at that point in my career.  However, what I realized was that even though I reached a great career milestone and had direct influence on an organization from a talent management perspective, overtime I lost the ability to be challenged.  I know myself: I’m a continuous learner and I love to grow. I didn’t want to have a lofty title but lack real depth and diversity of experience. I felt I was too early in my career to not go deeper.  When I stumbled on Nonprofit HR, I was intrigued. All my experience has been in nonprofit human resources, of all sizes, types, etc. so the decision felt very right and I was immediately drawn to it.  The second thing is that I wanted a role that was more autonomous and flexible. I didn’t want to feel like I was confined within a strict structure. I wanted to spread my wings a bit, and Nonprofit HR has given me that. What is your favorite aspect of talent management? My favorite aspect is culture building and pushing the status quo. I love innovative HR. I love deconstructing traditional systems. I think that it is rare that within any professional field outside of talent management that you have the ability to change the system that impacts employee lives. We’re not just processing payroll, we actually can have a hand in redesigning the infrastructure that allows folks to have better well-being in the workplace, make them feel appreciated, and all those things. I love that part.

What is the coolest thing you’re working on right now and why?

The coolest thing I’m working on is a comprehensive culture strategy. The leader is super creative and the fun part is that we’re working on culture strategy with minimal boundaries. We’re leveraging equity-centered, progressive approaches to HR and this client is supportive of all the elements around restorative practices, balanced authority, decentralized decision making, and other new ways of thinking within the workplace.

“I wanted a role that was more autonomous and flexible. I didn’t want to feel like I was confined within a strict structure. I wanted to spread my wings a bit, and Nonprofit HR has given me that.”

How do you see HR changing in the next five to ten years?

I see HR changing in two ways: The first is responding to the ever-changing dynamics of a multi-generational workforce. Every element of how we work, where we work, how we attract talent, etc. will continue to shift greatly. 

Aligned with that, is also addressing traditional systems in the workplace and what that means in terms of equity, justice, well-being, etc. Every organization is at a different place in their life cycle with that and we’ll continue to see that as a topic of focus.

What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? 

I liked to read. My grandmother was my greatest mentor. She was brilliant and a speed reader. We had books everywhere: lined in our hallways, the bookshelves, etc. So I grew up reading more of her books than children’s books. Instead of kid fiction, I picked up books from her library by authors like James Patterson and Mary Higgins Clark. 

I also loved to swim. I’ve always enjoyed the water. I’m a Pisces and the beach is my favorite place to be.

Which two people would you like to have brunch with and why?

The first would be my great grandfather. He moved his family to Alexandria from the South in 1910  Despite the disenfranchisement of people of color in the early 1900s, my great-grandfather became a homeowner at 22, was a pillar of his community and worked for a prominent business, Fannon & Sons, as a bookkeeper. I enjoy learning about family history. It would be really cool to interview him and learn more about his journey.

Second person is Beyonce. I mean, she can do it all. She’s a female powerhouse.

What are a few fun facts about you?

I feel like everyone knows this, but I have a twin. What people don’t know that I sometimes share is that I was a first chair violinist for a local symphony orchestra. I started playing when I was eight and played through mid-college. Don’t ask me to pick it up now because I am sadly unpracticed, but it’s my favorite past time. To this day, I enjoy classical music and treat myself to seeing orchestras or quartets play when I can.

LaNee’ Kittrell, MBA, SHRM-SCP Team Leader & Senior Consultant, Outsourcing

LaNee’ Kittrell, MBA, SHRM-SCP, possesses deep culture and talent management experience in the nonprofit sector. She is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations to further integrate their values into their HR infrastructure and elevate the employee experience. Key areas of LaNee’s focus include culture transformation, workplace equity, progressive talent strategies, employee relations and organizational development. View full bio.

 

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