Page 38 - Final Inspirational Women Issue

Inspirational Women

Patricia Bustamante

A NEW APPROACH TO HUMAN

RESOURCES

By Judith A. Habert

In her past work experience, she real- independently as an HR Consultant
ized that most people at the companies helping companies successfully set
where she worked didn’t particular- up and maintain Human Resources
ly like the members of the Human departments in their organizations.
Resources department of their firms. Born in the Philippines, Patri-
They feared them and rarely went to cia’s family relocated to Hawaii when
them when a problem existed. Patricia Patricia was 9. An outdoor enthusiast,
was not the type of person, and if she she was in her element. She attend-
took the job heading the Human Re- ed the University of Hawaii, during
sources Department, she did not want which time she did a test to determine
to be viewed as an obstacle among the what her future career should be. The
other employees. “In no uncertain top three professions were Human
terms I told the CEO that I would be Resources, Medicine, or Law. She
thrilled to take the job, but under one remained in Hawaii through college,
condition. I told him that I needed to but after graduating, she felt the need
put ‘me’ into the position. I needed to explore and ended up in Newport
to be there for the employees, to help Beach and eventually San Diego. Her
HEN YOU MEET SOMEONE them in any way I could. They needed move to California allowed her to
Wfor the first time, it is often com- to look at me as an ally and a partner. build her skills in operations but soon
mon to form first impressions about I would create a friendly, people-cen- discovered her passion in the Human
them which may not always be accu- tric and nurturing Human Resources Resources field when you joined a
rate. With Patricia Bustamante, my department, where staff would be start-up tech company.
impression was right on target. Patri- eager to share any concerns and allow She has now spent thirteen years as
cia is a consummate professional. She me to be part of solving their problems a Human Resources Specialist, defi-
exudes confidence and experience, but and be part of their success.” The CEO nitely proving that college career test
more importantly, she is an extremely agreed, and Patricia began her career correct. “It’s been a wonderful ride, 13
nice person. as a Human Resources professional. “I years in HR. For the last two years, Pa-
This last fact is undoubtedly how am so glad he gave me that opportu- tricia has been an outside consultant.
she ended up as an atypical Human nity to discover my passion. If I can’t “I’ve spent most of this time helping
Resources professional. “I started help people by what I am doing, I am startups create fully functional HR
working for a startup Tech company, not happy.” departments.”
and before too long the CEO informed The job went so well for Patricia I had to ask if there was a part of
me of an upcoming divestiture and the that when the CEO left for a position at her business she disliked. Immedi-
company would be needing its own another firm six years later, he invited ately my mind went to how difficult
Human Resources Department. He her to come along and she did. “I love it must be to fire someone from their
asked me if I would be willing to create what I do particularly my opportuni- position.
and run this new department.” Patricia ties to interact with people. Setting up Although, Patricia admits it is
was honored that the CEO chose to put an HR department from the ground up hard to do she has always maintained
so much trust in her, but at the same was a great learning experience.” This relationships with those whom she
time, she felt she was facing a dilemma. experience allows Patricia to now work had to release from employment,

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