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Read our latest article on What to Expect During KMA’s Executive Search Process

Lucy M. Ditzel is a Human Resources professional with an extensive background in recruiting, staffing, training, and the development and implementation of onboarding processes for new employees.

A Maine native, Lucy spent several years in Australia with Thiess Pty. Ltd, where she was responsible for coordinating training and development and onboarding for more than 2,000 staff members.

“Whether you’re team building, onboarding new employees, or recruiting potential candidates—if you’re listening, if your ears are open—you can resolve any issue or seize upon any opportunity,” Lucy explains. “HR is like a giant puzzle, and it’s fun and rewarding to be able to help put the pieces together.”

Lucy received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Simmons College in Boston, MA, where she graduated Cum Laude. She studied abroad in Granada, Spain and Sydney, Australia.

Previously she worked with Robert Half International – Accountemps in Portland, where she was responsible for recruiting, staffing, and general HR duties.

Lucy lives in Portland. She loves to travel, having visited six continents, and is conversational in Spanish. Her hobbies include hiking, baking, knitting, and dog sitting.

 

Why did you choose to work in HR?

I started out as an education major, but found as I got into my coursework, I began to enjoy the psychological aspect of my degree more versus the educational component. I found that I really liked working with people and getting to know them, their learning styles, their likes and dislikes, and what they needed to make them excel in life and in their jobs.

While it was a bit of a leap of faith to go abroad and work in Australia, being able to work on recruiting, training, and onboarding really opened my eyes to HR as a growing field that serves a wide range of industries, working environments, and people experiencing a variety of challenges and opportunities. That really appealed to me.

What do you like best about your work as an HR Professional?

Initially, I really liked the opportunity to work with teams and help them develop best practices. Now that I’ve gotten more involved in recruiting, I get to know people at different stages of the process. It’s great to get a good match, which means I’ve helped somebody find his or her “right job,” and that I’ve helped an employer find the right candidate. It’s very rewarding.

What is one takeaway from your HR work experience you’d like to share with others?

Whether you’re team building, onboarding new employees, or recruiting potential candidates—if you’re listening, if your ears are open—you can resolve any issue or seize upon any opportunity. HR is like a giant puzzle, and it’s fun and rewarding to be able to help put the pieces together.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a native Mainer. I live in Portland, and love to travel. I’ve visited six continents and am conversational in Spanish. My hobbies include hiking, baking, knitting, and dog sitting.