Bridget is Xenium’s Human Resources Manager, which means she spends a good part of her week coaching leaders through the conversations nobody looks forward to having. What stands out to me working alongside her is how often she answers a question with a better question. In this spotlight, she talks about the leadership development work she is proudest of, what our One Team pillars have changed day to day, and a cat named Maverick who has a complicated relationship with glass.
What’s your role at Xenium, and what energizes you most about the work?
I’m Xenium’s Human Resources Manager. At the core, my role is helping connect our people, culture, and business goals in a way that allows both the organization and its employees to thrive. Whether I’m coaching a leader, navigating a challenging employee situation, supporting organizational change, or helping shape long-term people strategies, I strive to bring clarity, empathy, and accountability to the conversation.
What energizes me the most is that the most meaningful business decisions are ultimately people decisions. In HR, there are always opportunities to build strong relationships, solve complex problems, and help people navigate important moments in their professional lives.
The part of the work I enjoy most is serving as a trusted thought partner. When a leader gains confidence, an employee feels heard, or a team works through a challenge together, those are the moments that remind me why I chose this profession. That combination of business strategy with human connection, and seeing real growth and change, is what keeps me inspired.
What shifts in HR have surprised or shaped you most?
The biggest shift over recent years has been HR’s evolution from a largely compliance-focused function into a strategic business partner. Today’s HR professionals are required to understand organizational culture, leadership effectiveness, employee experience, workforce planning, and business strategy all at once.
We have all seen the rise of technology and AI. While these tools are creating new and exciting opportunities to work more efficiently and make data-informed decisions, they’ve reinforced my belief that the human side of our profession remains irreplaceable. Trust, empathy, connection, and thoughtful leadership are still at the center of great workplaces.
What trends or challenges should clients keep an eye on?
Leadership effectiveness continues to be one of the most important success factors for organizations. Employees increasingly want clear communication, meaningful development, and leaders they trust. Organizations that invest in leadership training and capability will have a significant advantage.
A few years from now, I think we’ll continue to see organizations wrestling with how to balance automation and AI with human connection. The companies that do this well will be the ones that use technology to improve efficiency while intentionally creating cultures where people still feel valued, connected, and engaged.
What’s a project or milestone you’re especially proud of?
I’m particularly proud of the leadership development work we’ve done at Xenium over the past few years. Through initiatives such as leadership training, 360-degree feedback processes, business acumen discussions and collaborative strategic planning, we’ve intentionally invested in helping leaders grow. When leaders grow, that influence extends to every employee they support. Being part of that ripple effect has been incredibly rewarding.
Another project we are proud of here at Xenium HR is our “One Team” initiative. Our One Team pillars include: building trust daily, owning our work together, and delivering service to our clients as one. In a hybrid work environment with separate functional teams, this initiative has leveled up our internal and external customer service. It has been exciting to see this concept of “Team Xenium” incorporated into our 1-1 discussions, team meetings, performance review forms and employee recognition programs.
What advice would you give someone entering HR today?
Lead with curiosity. Listen more than you talk. Be willing to change your mind. Be intentional about relationship building.
Early in your career, it’s easy to focus on finding the right answer. While technical expertise is important, I’ve learned that some of the best HR work comes from asking thoughtful questions, listening well, and helping others navigate complexity. Be adaptable, seek feedback, and stay open to learning. The people who thrive in this profession are the ones who continuously grow while never losing sight of the human element.
What client experience has reaffirmed your purpose?
One of the things I value most about this profession is being invited into moments that matter. I’ve worked with leaders navigating difficult conversations, organizational changes, and employee concerns that carried significant business and personal implications.
The experiences that stay with me are not necessarily the biggest or most visible. They’re the moments when someone leaves a conversation feeling heard, respected, and better equipped to move forward. Those interactions reinforce that HR isn’t just about policies or processes. It’s about helping people navigate important moments with dignity, care, and clarity.
What excites you about the future?
I enjoy helping leaders connect business goals, culture, and employee experience, and I want to continue strengthening my ability to contribute at that intersection.
I’m also excited about helping organizations solve increasingly complex challenges around leadership, engagement, workforce planning, and change management. The future of work is evolving quickly, and I believe HR has a unique opportunity to help organizations navigate that change thoughtfully and successfully.
What’s something your coworkers would be surprised to learn about you?
I was born and raised in Portland and am one of four girls. Three of us attended Gonzaga University, as did my parents, who met there. Go Zags! I majored in Business and minored in Philosophy, then earned my law degree from Lewis & Clark College. I have two children, in 8th and 5th grade, who are the light of my life, along with a large cat named Maverick who once jumped through a glass window without injury after apparently forgetting it was there. We hope that does not happen again. I aspire to play guitar, but for now, I mostly play the harmonica. I also love the Oregon Coast.
When I was young, I rode my red 10 speed bike everywhere and wanted to be a marine biologist. Even though there are no dolphins or wetsuits, HR can be just as entertaining!
Describe your work style in three words.
Thoughtful. Steady. Collaborative.