Susan S. Mahaffee, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, NDCCDP

President + Founder

"One of the driving forces behind the name “People Rise” lies in the poetry of the legendary Maya Angelou. Inspired by the famous words “Still I Rise,” Susan embodies the spirit of resilience and perseverance. With this name, she aims to encourage clients to rise above challenges and embrace growth with unwavering determination." - WomElle Magazine, August 2023

Schedule Complimentary Consultation

Let's rise together.

I'm Susan S. Mahaffee, an experienced human resources (HR) professional with a rich collection of experiences managing the people function for both public and private multinational companies. In late 2022, I turned my passion into practice, seizing the opportunity to share my diverse experiences with others, particularly focusing on my passion for working with family-owned and entrepreneur-led businesses.

Professional Experience:

Chief People Officer (CPO), Majestic Steel USA, 2022
Global Director, People and Organization at Mars Incorporated, Corporate, Mars Edge, (entrepreneurial segment built to help improve human health) and Mars Symbioscience (health and science venture for developing science products and services), 2013-2022
Senior Area Human Resources Manager, MD/DC/DE + WV/PA, Waste Management
HR Director - Government Services, AECOM
Regional HR Manager - Supply Chain East, Office Depot
Human Resources Manager, DeWal Industries, Manufacturing
Payroll & Benefits Coordinator, SMART Management + Discovery House Home Office, Software Technology Start-Up and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Facility
Human Resources Assistant, Sheraton National Hotel
Human Resources Assistant, Colony South Hotel

Certifications, Professional Memberships + Awards:

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification (2013 - Present)
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification (2005 - 2013)
SHRM - Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) (2012 - Present)
Certified Facilitator, Development Dimensions International (DDI)
PPROSCI Certified Change Practitioner
National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Practitioner (NDCCDP)
Advanced Organisational Design, Hult Ashridge Business School, UK
Certificate, Strategic Decision Making, Wharton Executive Education, Philadelphia, PA
Certificate, HR Ethics, HRCI
Certification, Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) Benchmarks® 360 Degree Assessments
Member, SHRM Executive Network
Member, Health & Human Resources Committee, Leadership Council, National Small Business Association (NSBA)
Honored Listee, Marquis Who's Who (2023)
The Top 50 Women Leaders of Ohio for 2022
Former Member, Association of Women in Metal Industries (AWMI)
Notary Public Commission, National Notary Association, Expires February 2027

Languages:

Hungarian

Education:

Johnson & Wales University, Providence, Rhode Island

M.B.A., Global Business Leadership, Concentration: Organizational Leadership, Alpha Beta Kappa Honor Society, Student Commencement Speaker

B.S., Management, Concentration: Human Resources Management

A.S., Advertising Communication, American Marketing Association (AMA)

Featured Media:

Speaking Engagements:

Presenter, Mississippi County HR Association (MCHRA), 'Maximizing Employee Retention: Strategies for Retention, Engagement + Mentoring", 2023
Presenter, 'Empowering the Empowered through HR Practices', National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance 'Sheltered' Annual Conference, 2023
Panelist, Marsh McLennan Agency's Women in Business Symposium: 'Achieve What's Possible', Washington, D.C., 2023
Presenter, 'Increasing Women in Leadership Roles Through Sponsorship' and panelist at the National Manufacturing Diversity Summit, Cleveland, OH 2022
Presenter, 'Hybrid Workforce: The Future of Work', Arundel Society for Human Resources Management (ASHRM), 2022
Guest Speaker + Mentor, Towson University Student SHRM Chapter & Business Management Capstone Course

Community Engagement:

Sponsorship of Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (2012 - Present)
Little Free Library Steward, Charter #94074, Chartwell, Severna Park, MD (2019 - Present)

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