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Colleen Bowman, VP of HR at IAC, shares her unconventional path from nutrition to HR leadership, revealing how empathy and high expectations empower teams. Discover her insights on navigating complex healthcare benefits, building trust, and the evolving role of HR in a changing world. Colleen emphasizes the importance of relationships, continuous learning, and employee education in a complex benefits landscape.
Colleen also discusses the power of “faking it til you make it” to build confidence and inspire others. Learn how her early experiences shaped her leadership style and why she believes in boosting up her team. Plus, Colleen shares actionable strategies for women to advance their careers by proactively seeking opportunities and advocating for their needs. Colleen’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is about inspiring and empowering others to achieve their full potential.
Key Takeaways:
- Lead with Empathy: Understand your team’s perspective while setting clear expectations.
- Build Relationships: Foster strong partnerships to navigate complex challenges and gain support.
- Embrace Continuous Learning: Stay curious, seek knowledge, and adapt to evolving industry trends.
- Fake It Til You Make It: Project confidence, even when nervous, to build self- assurance and inspire trust.
- Proactively Seek Opportunities: Advocate for your needs and take initiative to advance your career.
Guest Resources:
About Colleen:
Colleen Bowman is the Vice President of Human Resources at IAC, a diverse holding company with brands spanning media, publishing, and technology. In this role, she partners with IAC’s portfolio of companies to provide HR, benefits, and talent acquisition support, with a particular focus on navigating the complexities of healthcare benefits and ensuring employee well-being. Colleen is dedicated to simplifying complex information, fostering employee engagement, and optimizing HR practices to drive business success.
Prior to joining IAC in July of 2024, Colleen served as Vice President of Human Resources at Related Companies, a leading real estate and lifestyle company, where she oversaw total rewards, HR technology, and HR operations. Her extensive career also includes leadership roles at Revlon and Tiffany & Co., where she honed her expertise in benefits and wellness.
Colleen’s career began in the nutrition and corporate wellness space, reflecting her long- standing commitment to promoting health and well-being. Colleen holds a Masters of Public Health in Public Health Nutrition from the City University of New York-Hunter College and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Boston University. Her unique background and diverse experience have shaped her empathetic and strategic approach to HR leadership. Colleen is passionate about building trust, fostering transparency, and inspiring the next generation of women leaders in the HR field.
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