When our member organizations face tough human resources issues—our team of Human Resources (HR) professionals step in to offer comprehensive and personalized support. Sheila Noye, the newest member of our HR Services team, brings over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. Her extensive background includes managing HR operations for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations across a diverse spectrum of fields. She officially joined 501(c) Services as a Senior Human Resources Generalist in June 2023.
Working out of our offices in San Jose, California, Sheila plays a critical role in helping our member organizations develop their HR programs, providing strategic HR support, and serving as the internal HR lead for 501(c) Services’ employees. We caught up with Sheila this month to chat a bit about her HR background, her former life as a professional singer, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and her joys outside of the workplace.
You work on a lot of different HR issues for 501(c) Services member organizations. What’s your favorite part of the job?
Sheila: “I love everything about HR, however, if I were to pinpoint a favorite, it would undoubtedly be conducting workplace investigations and engaging in conflict resolution or anything within the realm of employee relations. My strength lies in strategic thinking, always considering the bigger picture and posing “what if” scenarios when making HR decisions. I strive to anticipate potential challenges in advance and ensure preparedness for any unforeseen issues.”
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my current role is the opportunity to expand my knowledge beyond federal and California state employment laws. Mastering the intricacies of California law, known for its complexity, has equipped me with a solid foundation. This has proven invaluable as I delve into other state employment laws. Understanding the nuances of labor laws in diverse jurisdictions becomes more manageable once you have conquered the challenges of California. I particularly enjoy the research aspect of my job, and exploring the specificities of employment law in different states has been a fulfilling part of my professional journey.”
Did you always know you wanted to work in HR?
Sheila: “I used to sing for a living. When you go to the casinos like Caesar, Pepper Mill, and Harvey’s, and you see the entertainment on the stage—that would have been me and my band. However, I was also going overseas to perform a lot and eventually, I got tired of traveling, I just did not want to do it anymore. I went to visit a friend who was a recruiter at a staffing agency, and I was just sitting there with her while she worked, and I am like, ‘Oh, I can do this. This is fun. It is exciting.'”
So, I went to the supervisor, and I said, ‘Hey, I can do this job and I would love to work as a staffing person here. Why don’t you try me out for free so I can prove that I can do it?’ Of course, she would not let me work for free. A couple of weeks later, she called me, and she said, ‘We got an opening. We would like to hire you at junior level. Over time, I transitioned from recruiting to working in HR.”
You studied psychology at San Jose State—how do you think psychology helps you in your current role?
Sheila: “HR is a role that touches on everything, and psychology of course plays into it. When you are working in HR, you must think a lot about people’s behavior, asking: ‘Why did someone say that?’ or ‘Why is this person not behaving appropriately?’ Sometimes, I will hear from a member that they want to fire someone because they are not coming in or they think they are being flaky, but you must think bigger than that, and you cannot assume anything. We don’t know if this person is having personal problems, or if something else is going on. You have to engage, watch, listen, and assess because otherwise you’ll miss the truth and make a bad choice that could be a huge liability to the organization.”
What do you like to do when you’re not hard at work assisting 501 customers?
Sheila: “I have a passion for thrift store shopping and enjoy flipping unique finds I discover during my thrifting adventures. Silicon Valley boasts some of the best thrift stores in the country, making it an exciting hobby for me. Another love of mine is playing the piano on my Baby Grand. While I have a background in playing four other instruments, playing the piano is my first love. I like to cuddle with my cat and do pet rescue, watch movies, and serve in my community.”
“There is so much more that I love to do in my free time. Growing up, things were not always easy, which instilled in me a deep gratitude for life’s little pleasures. I have learned valuable lessons from adversities and trials, understanding that I cannot let them define or hold me back. Instead, I rise above, embracing the philosophy that life is too short to dwell on challenges. My mantra is to live the best life possible because we only have one. That is my guiding principle: Do what makes you happy.”
About Us
For more than 40 years, 501(c) Services has been a leader in offering solutions for unemployment costs, claims management, and HR support to nonprofit organizations. Two of our most popular programs are the 501(c) Agencies Trust and 501(c) HR Services. We understand the importance of compliance and accuracy and are committed to providing our clients with customized plans that fit their needs.
Contact us today to see if your organization could benefit from our services.
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