HR Mavericks

HR Maverick

Carol Ann Fortune, SHRM-SCP

Carol Ann Fortune, SHRM-SCP

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Carol Fortune is an influential Human Resource Leader with over 15 years of experience in the People Operations field. She believes that people are every company’s greatest resource, and it is the duty and responsibility of the leaders within every organization to create a space where everyone can bring their best selves to work every day. Carol has worked in many different industries, including aviation, logistics, oil & gas, higher education, media, non-profits, heavy equipment, and professional services. She is currently the Head of Human Resources at Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. in Wichita, KS. Carol earned her B.B.A. in Human Resource Management from Wichita State University, and immediately went on to complete her M.S.L. in Organizational Leadership from Southwestern College. Carol obtained her SHRM Senior Certified Professional Certification and in 2018 was honored as one of Wichita Business Journal’s Human Resource Professionals of the Year. Carol grew up as a military dependent, living in all four corners of the United States and many places in between. Though her roots are in the Boston area, she has called Kansas home for over 20 years now, but plans to build a home on their land on the side of Rhyolite Mountain in Cripple Creek, Colorado. She shares her love for outdoor adventures with her husband. You can often find them overlanding, hiking, kayaking, or camping in the wilderness. Together they have four sons, two beloved dogs, and one rascally maine coon cat.

What words of advice and encouragement would you give to someone just starting out in HR?

HR is a service center and every person you serve is an opportunity to learn more about yourself. Stay open and curious and never stop learning. Don't be a copy of anyone. Delight in the uniqueness that is YOU. Expect resistance. Don't give in to the temptation to let ego point out everyone else's failures or faults. Keep your compass pointed inward, to your highest and best self. Loving yourself first is your greatest offering of service to the world.