Board Member Spotlight: Karina Dixon, Communications Director
SHRM Topeka is proud to feature our 2022 Board of Directors! Learn more about Communications Director Karina Dixon with our Q&A.
Tell us about your experience with SHRM Topeka.
I became a member of SHRM Topeka within a couple of months of moving from Springfield, Missouri in the summer of 2020. I became the Communications Director-Elect in 2021 and took over the Communications Director position in 2022. I am responsible for SHRM Topeka social media and website as well as the monthly newsletter. Being a part of the board has given me the opportunity to become friends with a great group of people!
How long have you been working in HR?
Eleven years. I am currently the HR Manager at KBS Constructors, and have had previous HR Manager and HR Generalist positions within small-to-medium size construction and technology companies.
What resources do you use to stay up-to-date on HR news and trends?
I check the SHRM website almost every day to view the HR News section, and I’m subscribed to various SHRM newsletters as well as HRCI newsletters. I also follow various HR organizations and HR professionals on Twitter and LinkedIn.
What professional accomplishment are you the most proud of?
I have my SHRM-CP and PHR certifications, along with a Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution from Missouri State.
What advice do you have for someone new to the HR field?
Become a national SHRM member as well as a member of your local SHRM chapter. National SHRM has so many resources to help with your day-to-day position, including samples, templates, and knowledge advisors. Your local chapter connects you to other HR professionals and provides networking and learning opportunities.
Why should local HR professionals get involved in SHRM Topeka?
SHRM Topeka is a great way to meet other HR professionals and participate in programming that provides SHRM and HRCI credits. It is also an organization where you can easily become involved as a board or committee member.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Spend time with my family including my husband Sean and our two boys. I’m a Green Bay Packers fan and an avid listener of true crime podcasts. I also love to bake and decorate cookies–you can check out my Karina’s Cookies for a Cause Facebook page!
What's one thing you love about Topeka?
There is always something fun to do as a family. Whether we’re out and about in NOTO, attending one of the many events at Evergy Plaza, strolling the Ted Ensley Gardens or visiting the Topeka Zoo, there’s no shortage of things to do in Topeka!