Rising Stars Academy

The NHRA-OC Rising Stars Academy is 9-month, in-person professional development program that launches in April and runs through the following January. It concludes with a presentation to the NHRA-OC Board of Directors. It empowers early- to mid-career HR professionals through mentorship, education, and hands-on leadership opportunities,  building confidence, connection, and career advancement.

The program brings together HR leaders that have a proven track record of driving transformative HR initiatives. Ideal candidates will have made standout contributions addressing today’s most urgent leadership challenges.

Participants are introduced each April as part of the HR Executives of the Year celebration, and the program officially kicks off each spring with monthly breakfast meetings that combine learning, collaboration, and mentorship.

We invite HR and business leaders to nominate high-potential talent who are ready to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact in the HR community.

Questions? Email us!

Program Benefits

  • Rising Stars are publicly recognized by NHRA-OC as emerging HR leaders making an impact in the profession. Honorees are celebrated at the HR Executives of the Year event and introduced at the Rising Stars Honoree Dinner each January.

  • Each participant is paired with a senior HR executive mentor for one-on-one guidance, leadership coaching, and career strategy. Mentors are thoughtfully matched to align with each Rising Star’s goals and growth areas.

  • Beginning in April, Rising Stars meet monthly for in-person, morning sessions hosted by NHRA-OC. Sessions focus on timely HR and leadership topics, from culture transformation and change management to strategic influence and personal leadership branding.

  • Throughout the year, participants collaborate in small groups on a meaningful HR-focused project. The program concludes with a capstone presentation to the NHRA-OC Board of Directors, offering participants the opportunity to demonstrate innovation, strategic thinking, and leadership.

  • Participants gain exposure through NHRA-OC’s professional network, expanding relationships with HR peers and executives. Each cohort concludes with a graduation celebration recognizing Rising Stars for their year-long commitment and contributions.

  • • Nominations open each September and close in November
    • Honorees are announced in January
    • The program runs April through the following March

Sponsors

2024 -2025 Cohort

  • Allie Bang

    Panasonic Avionics

  • Claire Driscoll

    CHOC

  • Denise Ibarria

    Golden State Foods

  • Kristi Perez

    Acuity

  • Lindsay Budzinkski

    CHOC

  • Lucia Walker

    Edwards Lifesciences

  • Madiha Chughtai

    Silverado

Testimonials

Caitlin Clark, Senior Manager, Total Rewards 

I wholeheartedly recommend the NHRA‑OC Rising Stars Academy to any early-career HR professional. The program offers a rich environment to grow your network, deepen your HR expertise, and most importantly connect with passionate peers who share your drive in the HR field. What I valued most was the opportunity to learn from seasoned HR leaders during our monthly meetings, and to build meaningful connections with fellow rising-stars—others who were navigating similar experiences and eager to explore new perspectives together. 

Colleen Plettnick, Sr. Principal HRBP

My time in the NHRA-OC’s Rising Stars Academy was defined by two major benefits: learning from the best leaders and teachers in our HR community and building meaningful connections with peers who share similar professional goals and challenges. I also gained a dedicated mentor whose investment in me continues today, offering invaluable, ongoing guidance. What truly stood out was the pervasive feeling of the entire program being personally invested in my success, providing confidence and knowledge that I will carry into everything I do in the future.  I'd recommend this experience to other HR professionals looking for a truly unique way to grow. 

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