At the KYSHRM Conference, Trasee Whitaker, CHRO for Masonic Communities Kentucky, was named the winner of the 2017 Lyle Hanna Spirit Award for Volunteer Service. In this conversation, Trasee discusses her role as an HR leader and active volunteer, and what it means to be at the pinnacle. HR leaders are playing a significant role in every level of decision making within an organization and influencing innovation and growth. You have a close working relationship with your executive team at Masonic Communities Kentucky. Tell us about how you developed those relationships.

Each year, the Society for Human Resource Management recognizes the highest achievements of the affiliate chapters and state councils in making their workplaces and communities a better place by awarding the Pinnacle Award to the top chapters and state councils. This past year our KYSHRM state council, with the help of the SHRM chapters across the state, embarked on a statewide initiative entitled Bridging the Talent Gap – Kentucky, which began with Louisville SHRM in 2016 which met the criteria for the Advancing the HR Profession criteria.