Member Spotlight:

Bernard Nunies oversees a team of 12 staff supporting more than 600 full-time employees. In addition to his role as CHRO, in which he leads initiatives such as transforming company brands, Nunies has served on the SHRM Hawaii board of directors in various roles, including president.

With more than 25 years of international management experience in HR, operations, and business consulting, Nunies has over 15 years of strategic HR planning responsibility with a focus on talent management; learning and development; employee relations; compensation and benefits; HR audits; and compliance.

In the wake of the devastating wildfires that swept through the island of Maui on Aug. 8, 2023, Nunies helped lead in a new capacity, as SHRM Hawaii:

• Conducted wellness checks for its members on Maui.
• Served as a central resource of information and knowledge for Maui HR professionals. 
• Implemented a complimentary job posting program.

These and other relief efforts were “a complete team effort,” Nunies says.

Given his quarter-century in the field of HR, we asked Nunies to share his thoughts on a few top-of-mind questions for HR leaders.

What do you think is most important about succession planning?

Succession planning is critical to the success of any organization, primarily because it provides continuity of leadership and transfer of institutional knowledge should someone in a business-critical position leave the company.

What do you think is one of the most important responsibilities of a CHRO?

One of the most important responsibilities of my CHRO role is to cultivate a positive and inclusive organizational culture. This involves creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work.

What’s your favorite business book, and what did you like about it?

I am a big fan of Cy Wakeman and her book No Ego (St. Martin’s Press, 2017). I heard her speak at the 2019 SHRM Conference & Expo and was immediately drawn to her approach of helping leaders create a more positive and productive work culture by ditching the drama.