Susan Lowe CFHRINZ
How did your career in HR begin, and what was the journey like to get to where you are now?
I haven’t always worked in HR, however I managed people from very early on in my career. What I loved most about managing people was helping them to grow and succeed, supporting them with their career, building development plans and providing coaching and support. I realised that as a people manager, this impact would always be limited to my direct and indirect team, but that within HR I could influence and entire organisation. I was lucky enough to be given secondment opportunities into People(HR) project teams for organisational and ways or work redesign back in the UK for Sainsbury’s Supermarkets and that was the start of my HR career. From there I have navigated hybrid operational and HR roles, into business partnership and onto senior leadership and executive roles across People, Safety, Internal Governance and Sustainability.
What do you love about having a career in HR?
The ability to make a meaningful difference within organisations, to directly influence workplaces, to ensure they are the kind of place where people can thrive and be their best. I also love the people I get to work with, my direct teams, and the broader HR community. Especially within Aotearoa, there is so much passion and connection across the practitioner community and a collective desire to work together to improve workplaces for NZ Inc. to grow and thrive.
What are some defining moments from your career journey so far?
I think the defining moments are the one’s I did not see coming - in that I had not planned for them personally, but I am someone that naturally sees the opportunity in any challenge and there have been many! From global restructures, to small- and large-scale mergers and acquisitions, through to walking away from roles due to values misalignments. Not all the career defining moments have been about highlights, wins or successes, but they have all built my knowledge, skills, strength and resilience. I think learning more about yourself is one of life’s biggest rewards, and it often comes from both the challenges but also the people you get to work with. I have definitely had the privilege of working with some amazing people who have shapes and defined moments in my career.
What advice would you give to someone early on in their HR career?
Work out who you are and what matters to you. HR is not black and white—it sits in complexity, judgement, and nuance. Having clarity on your values and your approach becomes your compass.
It shapes how you build relationships, how you partner with the business, and how you advocate for people while still enabling performance. Without that clarity, it’s easy to get lost in the grey.
Why is HRNZ important for the HR community?
As our professional body, HRNZ plays a critical role; providing the framework and standards for us as practitioners and continues to elevate the profession. They provide professional development, supporting professionals throughout their career, and of course profiling the great work that is being done through the HR Awards.
What was your path to Chartered Fellowship like? What did you enjoy about the process?
It was a journey of reflection, whilst it took time I found that sitting down and reflecting on my career, the achievements and the challenges incredibly rewarding and I really appreciated that about the process. Like most practitioners, I do what I do for others, so thinking about and writing about myself and putting myself forward wasn’t easy to do. But I am humbled and grateful for the recognition from HRNZ.
What is next for you in this chapter of your career?
I have recently been elected to the HRNZ Board, I am looking forward to using my knowledge and skills in the governance of HRNZ as the professional body. To support the HRNZ strategy and represent members voices at the board table. More broadly, I remain committed to advancing the role of people, culture, and leadership as core enablers of organisational performance.