Cathy Nugent has more than 15 years of experience as a Human Resources professional, helping to build relationships between people and organizations, as well as building pipelines for new talent while developing current talent. Areas of focus include talent acquisition and recruiting, employee relations, and career counseling.
Prior to joining KMA, Cathy was Talent Acquisition Manager for the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) in Portland. Before that, she held roles as HR Business Partner and Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist for LL Bean, and was Talent Acquisition Specialist for Delhaize America (including Food Lion, Sweetbay, and Hannaford Supermarkets).
“I’ve been fortunate to work with companies over the years that were full of HR experts, and I have been exposed to a diversity of excellent leadership and talent,” says Cathy. “It’s a wealth of experience and knowledge that I draw on now in my role as a KMA consultant.”
Cathy earned a Master’s degree in HR Management from the University of Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor’s in Communication from USM.
Cathy lives in South Portland with her teenage daughter. She enjoys cycling, swimming, camping, Nordic and downhill skiing, paddle boarding, and vegetable gardening.
Why did you choose to work in HR?
I sort of stumbled into HR. I was working in a fitness center when I was in college, and occasionally interacted with HR people who coordinated wellness programs based at the center. I was intrigued by the role of HR, supporting programs for employees that had a positive impact on their overall health and wellness . . . and I’ve been working in some aspect of HR ever since!
What do you like best about your work as an HR Professional?
I enjoy and value relationship building. In order to support my clients, it’s important to understand their business as well as how it fits into the overall organization. Connecting with people at all levels allows me to understand and share perspectives and ideas, and ultimately help leaders achieve their business goals.
What is one takeaway from your HR work experience you’d like to share with others?
I’ve spent a number of years at several organizations recruiting and helping people grow into their careers. It’s been a win-win situation for me, the people I support, and the organizations as I’ve helped to create sustainable talent pipelines and help people—from students to experienced employees—grow and develop and pursue careers that were best for them, which is ultimately best for the organizations employing them.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in South Portland with my teenage daughter. I enjoy cycling, swimming, camping, Nordic and downhill skiing, paddle boarding, and vegetable gardening.