Angie Herrera Joins EPAC

​Angie Herrera, SHRM-CP, senior HR partner representative for Chicago-based United Airlines, is among the five new members of the Emerging Professionals Advisory Council (EPAC) for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). 

Herrera and the other four individuals make up a 10-member council that represents SHRM's five regions—North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and Pacific West. Council involvement offers leadership, speaking and travel opportunities, including attendance at the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2022.

EPAC members are SHRM members, have held an HR or related position for three to five years, and preferably have experience as a SHRM student chapter leader. They have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree related to HR.

Herrera worked for 14 years at a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association, whose focus was the use of structural steel in the construction industry. Herrera then transitioned into the transportation industry before joining United Airlines as an HR executive assistant.

Making that move "was a completely different journey," she said, noting that she went from an HR department of one to an HR staff of more than 250 people.

Being part of a larger HR team, she said, helped her understand the on-the-job application of the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge, now called the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK), and how "all of the departments in HR were able to work in different capacities" with different groups within the company.

SHRM Online spoke with Herrera about her HR journey.

Her HR experience: Herrera has worked in HR in some capacity since 2003. At the American Institute of Steel Construction in Chicago, she was senior administrative assistant and office manager before becoming executive assistant and project manager for the president, HR director and board.

She joined United Airlines in 2017 and was promoted to HR partner representative in 2019. In 2021, she took on the role of HR talent acquisition recruiter and has been in her current role of senior HR partner representative since 2022. As such, she has responsibilities for in-flight attendants, including overseeing the hiring of supervisors for the company's eight hubs, attendants' training every 18 months and crew scheduling, as well as being available for questions on a range of subjects such as benefits, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and retirement.

Her schooling: Herrera graduated in 2014 from Roosevelt University in Chicago with a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership. She also holds an associate degree in computer science from Fox College in Bedford Park, Ill.

She considers herself a lifelong learner.

"I need to make sure I'm informed, and I need to make sure I make that investment," she said. She sets specific goals for herself every quarter. "All of my goals have to have a deadline or due date" and be linked to a "why" factor.

Herrera has a SHRM People Manager Qualification (PMQ) and SHRM Essentials of Human Resources Certificate, holds an Organizational Management Certification from the International Association of Administrative Professionals, and completed the Women's Leadership Certificate Program: Hispanic Alliance Career Enhancement. She is a Certified Administrative Professional and a notary public.

SHRM involvement: Herrera volunteered at the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2019.

Why HR? Herrera is a first-generation college graduate. Her mother and father attended school in Mexico; her mother's schooling ended at second grade and her father at third grade. They both worked in U.S. factories and in landscaping.

"When [my mother] told me how she was treated differently … it really hurt me," Herrera said. "My mother was overlooked for many opportunities, despite meeting the qualifications and experience [level]. She performed the work but was not paid for the role and was offered empty promises." Hearing such stories contributed to Herrera's desire to work in HR "to make sure policies were consistent and fair."

Is there an HR area you would like to specialize in? "The area I'm in right now is my dream goal."

Role of EPAC Members

EPAC members meet virtually on a monthly basis to:

• Provide feedback or suggestions to SHRM on potential and existing services and experiences for the betterment of emerging professionals (EPs) within the SHRM community.
• Assist SHRM with identifying strategies for gaining and retaining EP members.
• Encourage recognition of EP programs that chapter and state council affiliates lead.
• Connect with other EP members using social media and various local events and activities.
• Promote and coordinate the establishment and support of activities at the local level, and strategies that help SHRM student members transition from school into the workforce as emerging professionals.