Last month, we congratulated Jessica LaPaglia on her 15-year anniversary with Leddy Group. This month, we’re giving you a little more insight into Jessica and what makes her tick! (Hint: It involves working with people!)
Q: What do you do for Leddy Group?
A: I am a Regional Director and I oversee the Human Resources, Accounting and Finance, and Executive Admin teams.
Q: What has your career path looked like with the company?
A: I started with Work Opportunities Unlimited (WOU) 15 years ago as the first Recruiter for the company, and then I was promoted to the Director of Recruiting where I built a team, many of whom are still with the organization today. Susannah Chance was my supervisor at the time (and still is), and she asked me if I would consider going to work in the Staffing division. I started Spectrum Consulting’s Staffing division, connecting people looking for HR jobs with companies looking for HR professionals. At the same time, I also assisted in overseeing the Career Connections team [Leddy Group acquired Career Connections in 2013]. Spectrum then took off, and I transitioned to Spectrum solely, and just this past year I took on the Specialties division I mentioned before, when we did the conversion of Spectrum to Leddy Group. I’ve had a lot of opportunities for personal growth.
Q: What originally drew you to WOU?
A: I have a background in HR and Recruiting, and I also have a degree in special education, so that combination of skills and education meshed nicely with WOU’s mission.
Q: What aspect of your current role do you enjoy the most?
A: Connecting with people. That’s a big one for me. Connecting, and then changing the lives of people by making the right placements for the candidates and for the clients.
Q: Are you involved in any HR-related organizations?
A: I am on the Board of the Greater Nashua HR Association, and I do that to stay connected and keep up with HR policies and practices and best recruiting practices. I’m going into my third year of being on that board.
Q: If someone were to describe you, what three words would they use?
A: Positive, outgoing, and a connector.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: Yes, two daughters. My oldest just graduated from Florida Southern College this December (early graduate) with a degree in communications and a focus in public relations, and my youngest is a freshman, also at Florida Southern College, and she is focused in business marketing and communications.
Q: How have you balanced your career at LG with family?
A: When I started my position, I was a work-from-home recruiter, so both of my daughters have seen me work my whole life. It’s really given them a value of work. They both got their first jobs when they were 15, they both still have jobs while they’re going to school, and they have balanced it all with extracurricular activities.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Derry, New Hampshire. I went to Notre Dame College, which was small and private and offered me so many opportunities. I was the president of my class and a member of six different organizations. I got the president’s award at graduation. I even met my husband there.
Q: Do you travel at all?
A: We love to travel. We just had a big trip to Italy this past October. I enjoy traveling with friends or family, whether it’s for a long weekend or a vacation.
Q: Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
A: Disney has always been true to our heart, so having the kids in Florida is fun, and now that I’ve had the taste of going to Europe, I’m definitely going back!
Q: What do you do during your free time?
A: I’m a runner. I’ve run marathons, half-marathons, a tough mudder. I also hike, bike, and go off and do adventures, always with friends. We also have a dog and a cat, and I LOVE spending time with them. In fact, I adopted my cat 14 years ago because of Susannah Chance. [Susannah is passionate about animal rescue]
Q: What’s the one thing at work you can’t live without?
A: My team is very valuable to me and really drives me forward. I fully appreciate their support and rely on them every day to be successful.
Q: What keeps you coming to work every day?
A: People who do know me, know that I’m outgoing and have the best interest of others in mind. I always want to strive to do best. When I don’t get that win or that job for a candidate, it’s hard for me because I work hard and want to see the success in others. That’s what drives me and brings me to work every day.
