In this edition of our Customer Spotlight series, we’re excited to feature Vanessa Cifuentes, SHRM-SCP, the Director of Human Resources at Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI). With over 23 years of HR experience, Vanessa is dedicated to enhancing employee satisfaction and fostering collaboration at GPI, a 100% employee-owned company. Since 2012, she has used GroupGreeting to connect colleagues and celebrate important milestones across multiple offices. In this interview, Vanessa shares how GroupGreeting strengthens their team’s bond, especially in a remote and hybrid work environment.

Can you tell us a little about your role as the Director of HR at GPI?

I have successfully managed complex payroll systems, orchestrated impactful DEIB initiatives, and optimized comprehensive benefits packages to enhance employee well-being and satisfaction.

How does your team foster a sense of connection and community, especially with remote or hybrid work?

GPI is 100% employee-owned, which makes us a highly collaborative team. At GPI, our Mission is “Together, we create the infrastructure people need most.” We do that through our Vision, as One TEAM, Together, Engagement, Ambitious, and Mobile. So, it’s simple: fostering a sense of connection is threaded into every choice we make and everything we do.

You’ve been with GroupGreeting since 2012! What initially made you choose GroupGreeting, and what keeps you coming back?

I was initially attracted to GroupGreeting’s flexibility to collect sentiments and signatures from employees throughout the organization, breaking down the distance barrier. It’s a fun and easy tool that keeps us connected and able to celebrate and honor our employee’s significant milestones, aligning to our #1 Strategic Objective of Employee Satisfaction.

How has using GroupGreeting impacted your team/company culture at GPI?

GroupGreeting keeps us connected, especially during those important milestones in our lives.

Which occasions do you find most important to acknowledge, and why?

That’s a great question, and my answer is, whichever occasion is the most important for you. In other words, we believe in meeting people where they are, so the most important occasion for me might not be the same as the most important occasion for you. To understand that, we need to have an intentional conversation around it, and that’s what we do at GPI.

Can you share a memorable experience or story related to a sympathy, graduation, or retirement card you’ve sent?

We’ve been using GroupGreeting for over a decade. That speaks for itself. I can’t pick one memorable experience out of so many. Knowing this was a simple tool, I sought many years ago to collect sentiments and signatures from people at various offices, and today, several offices are using it. That speaks to the many positive experiences our employees have because of GroupGreeting!

Interested in celebrating a team member or sending thanks? Find the perfect card and create one today!