Lisa R. Shorey, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a Human Resources professional with an extensive, 20+ year background that has spanned several industries, from IT, health care, and municipal government, to higher education and manufacturing. She is an HR generalist, with particular strengths in employee relations, labor relations, performance management, conflict resolution, employee engagement, workforce development, and strategic planning.
In addition to her role at KMA, Lisa currently serves as Human Resources Manager for Penobscot Bay Media. Before that, she was an HR Business Partner/Employee Relations Specialist for Maine Medical Center; Labor Relations Coordinator for the University of Maine System, HR Manager for Tex Tech Industries, and Director of HR for the Augusta School Department.
“I like the variety of experiences you’re exposed to when working in Human Resources,” Lisa explains. “From employee relations and conflict resolution, to training and development and strategic planning, just to name a few, you get to affect all aspects of an organization and its people,”
Lisa has a Masters in Business Administration from Thomas College in Waterville and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration (Accounting Major, with Highest Distinction) from the University of Maine at Augusta.
She has achieved designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the Human Resources Certification Institute; a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) from the Society For Human Resource Management; is certified as a Facilitator from DDI Learning Systems, and is a trained Mediator.
Lisa is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and a member of the Kennebec Valley Human Resource Association, where she also served as past Treasurer, President, and Founding Board Member.
Lisa lives in central Maine with her husband. They love spending time in the Maine outdoors, and as much time as possible with their three grown children, and one grandchild (and another on the way!).
Why did you choose to work in HR?
Being an accounting major, I was always good with numbers, so working closely with Human Resources on payroll and benefits seemed like a good fit. That was my first real exposure to HR. As much as I liked numbers, I found that I liked working with people and people issues more, so I eventually migrated from payroll to HR.
What do you like best about your work as an HR Professional?
Working in a variety of HR areas exposes you to virtually every aspect of an organization and its people. I like that, over the years working in HR, I’ve been able to impact the lives and careers of many employees and the success of the organizations I’ve worked for. I find that very rewarding.
What is one takeaway from your HR work experience you’d like to share with others?
In my first job as an HR professional, I learned quickly what I didn’t know. I lacked the experience I needed, so I tried to reach out to a local network of HR professionals and found there wasn’t one there. That’s how I became one of the founding members of the Kennebec Valley Human Resource Association, where we could connect people in the field, share knowledge and best practices, and provide a forum for continuing education.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a native Mainer. I have a passion for learning new things, and love supporting organizations that impact the people living and working in Maine. I love the outdoors—camping, gardening, hiking—anything I can share with my family.