Few stories pack as much punch as Novaria Group Director of Human Resources Karina Erlandson. Hers is a gripping case study in strength, fortitude, and the life-changing power of personal tragedy. This article delves into Karina’s story, explaining how surviving devastating loss shaped her career and leadership style and how she continues to drive impact in the HR field.
A Journey Tainted by Loss and Resilience
Karina Erlandson was at a turning point five years ago in her career. No matter what she did, she wasn’t going anywhere that she had planned. Then the unthinkable happened. “I unexpectedly lost both my parents within six weeks of one another,” she says. The shattering blow led Karina to reexamine her values and seek out a new passion. “After going through deep loss, I knew I needed to turn my life around,” she states.
This epiphany drove Karina to follow her passion for HR leadership, eventually establishing her own consulting firm, Ann Lewis HR Solutions, in honor of her parents’ middle names.
From Entrepreneur to Corporate Leader: The Pandemic Pivot
Pivoting to start a business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was no easy task, yet Karina’s determination paid off. Through referrals, she landed her first two clients in months. Fast forward a couple years, and one of them was so impressed with what she did that they offered her a job full-time at Novaria Group. “It was a turning point in my career,” she says.
At Novaria, Karina established herself quickly, shifting from working only on HRIS and Compliance to working on all areas of HR, including mergers and acquisitions.
Reinventing HR: From Disorganization to Alignment
Within two years at Novaria, Karina has accomplished a great deal in HR development. She addressed the disorganized HR function at corporate, putting into place innumerable policies and procedures, streamlining payroll practices, and enforcing compliance for HR and Benefits programs.
“I’m now the person everyone comes to for all their HR questions and problems,” Karina says with pride. Her work has earned the trust and reliance of the portfolio locations, a demonstration of her dedication and professionalism.
Inspiring and Empowering: Battling Adversity to Achieve Success
Karina believes that what she went through can serve as an inspiration to the next generations of HR professionals. “Each person’s journey through tragedy is unique, and I hope that my experience can show that even though something profoundly life-changing has happened, you can use that inspiration to push through the adversity and achieve success,” she says.
Her experience is a solid example of how life experiences can change professional success.
For those aspiring to contribute something meaningful to HR, Karina emphasizes initiative. “You are the voice of the employees as an HR leader,” she insists. She also emphasizes the importance of self-promotion, especially for women in leadership positions. “Building a strong sense of self-worth and advocating for your strengths and achievements can be a game-changer,” she suggests.
Taking the Initiative and Playing to Strengths
Karina remains at the forefront of HR trends and innovations through proactive ongoing learning. She is an active member of the Society of Human Resources Management and several HR groups, where she shares ideas and stays up to date on industry trends. “It’s important to keep current on data and trends in your company in order to solve issues before they become problems,” she says.
In the future, Karina dreams large for herself, her company, and the HR function within Novaria Group. She would love to hire her first employees at Ann Lewis HR Solutions. At Novaria, she hopes to drive additional change and innovation to create a world-class HR function. “I have high expectations about the future of HR at Novaria,” she responds positively.
Managing Toddlers and Household Work: Achieving Work-Life Balance
It’s difficult for most individuals to balance personal and professional life, and Karina is no exception. Having two little kids and no family members around, she emphasizes setting boundaries. “One of the reasons I wanted to be my own boss was so that I could work from home and set my own schedule,” she explains. The fact that she could balance her time allowed her to be with her children when they needed her most during their formative years, so that she could meet both her personal and professional obligations.
Now at Novaria, Karina enjoys having the freedom to create a flexible schedule with a better work-life balance. She found that establishing strict boundaries and compartmentalizing work ensures that she is in charge without getting distracted. “It’s a matter of setting your rhythm and sticking to it,” she insists.
By setting a disciplined routine, Karina is able to separate work from life. This balance not only increased her productivity but allowed her to be a more present and engaged parent.
Leading with Vision and Growth: A Personal and Professional Transition
Karina classifies her style of leadership as visionary and transformational. “I try to inspire and motivate others through vision and innovation,” she reveals. Having gone through severe personal struggles has made her a more empathetic person when dealing with people’s problems, and she is of the opinion that this is one of the traits of good leaders. Her style of leadership has changed over time to be futuristic and empathetic.
Among her best achievements, Karina enumerates having developed her own business, as well as attaining her SHRM-CP, and Certified 401(k) Plan Sponsor certifications. They prove her commitment to ongoing learning and personal growth. They are but a step in the right direction at the professional level for her, reflective of her commitment to personal and professional development.
“Continuous learning is key to staying ahead and making meaningful contributions,” Karina believes. Her accomplishment is a result of her determination and unwavering dedication to excellence in the field of HR.
Conclusion
Karina Erlandson’s life is a source of inspiration to the resilience of the human spirit. Her ability to turn personal tragedy into career success is a source of inspiration to all. As she continues to push limits and drive the HR field, her life is a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations of HR practitioners.
