Michelle R. Agnew is a human resources manager for the American Red Cross, where she is the primary contact for union, business and legal communications, manages a staff of up to eight, and oversees a budget of nearly $1 million. Agnew testifies at hearings for the National Labor Relations Board, prepares defense material in response to employment-related charges, and investigates employee concerns. In addition, she has developed and implemented performance management, leadership development and regional diversity programs, as well as a merit system for about 5,000 employees.
A board member since 2009, Agnew is currently president of the Heart of Illinois HR Council, an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), where she helped initiate a partnership with the Peoria Park District’s E.L.I.T.E. program. As a program leader, she helped prepare students for the workforce by creating and delivering curricula, conducting mock interviews, and organizing job fairs, efforts which earned the HR Council national recognition with SHRM’s 2011 Pinnacle Award.
In addition to working at the Red Cross, Agnew also volunteers her time there outside of work. She has served on the board of Workforce Network and on its Youth Council Committee, working with the Peoria Housing Authority and other organizations to present workshops on interviewing and resume building. She has been an examiner for a statewide quality award program, and currently serves on the Goodfield PTO, where she is a room parent, library worker, blood drive coordinator and more. Among her many recognitions, Agnew has won the American Association of University Women, Morton Branch Scholarship; National SHRM Scholarship; Women’s Lifestyle Scholarship; Women in Leadership Scholarship; and Heart of Illinois HR Council Scholarship.
Agnew is an active team worship member at Crosspoint Community Church, where she sings in the band, volunteers in the nursery, leads a youth group and more. Even with her busy schedule, she always manages to find time for her family, teaching her three children about servant leadership and respect for others. iBi
