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From transforming site performance to championing a "No Door Policy", the award winners share how their people-first approach to HR has helped shape meaningful careers, strengthen community ties, and drive organisational success.
TTEC approaches people strategy as more than just recruitment and retention; it’s about creating a workplace where individuals feel empowered, supported, and inspired to thrive.
Driven by a shared commitment to community impact and employee growth, the team has built a strategy that balances bold transformation with a deeply human touch – earning recognition in the Talent categories at the HR Excellence Awards 2025, Philippines:
- Bronze for 'HR Leader of the Year': Francoise Bejasa, Executive Director, Talent Acquisition (pictured above, left)
- Gold for 'Young HR Talent of the Year': Mhidzfar Taradji, Talent Acquisition, Manager (pictured above, right)
From reimagining talent acquisition as a strategic partner to turning underperforming sites into top performers, every initiative aims to affirm a belief in the power of purpose-led HR. As the award winners share in this interview, success begins with one guiding principle: put people first, and the results will follow.
Q What was the motivation that sparked your passion & business case for pursuing your outstanding people strategy?
Francoise Bejasa: I’m driven by a vision of a workplace where every individual feels supported, empowered and inspired to achieve peak performance. From day one at TTEC, my passion has been to elevate talent acquisition, ensuring it’s a strategic partner that enhances both the employee and candidate journey.
Mhidzfar Taradji: What really sparked my passion for our people strategy was the chance to give back to the community. For me, HR isn’t just about filling jobs — it’s about creating real opportunities for people to grow and succeed. I wanted our work to mean something beyond business targets, to help people who might not have had those chances before.
Every time I see someone we hired walking through the lobby, and they stop to say hi, that moment keeps me motivated. It reminds me that our work has a real impact on people’s lives. This strategy became my way of contributing to the community that supports us. Knowing that HR can help people find stability, purpose, and a place where they belong is what drives me every day.
Q Looking back, can you share a challenge that you overcame in your journey of HR excellence? How did you triumph?
Bejasa: To drive the long-term success of the business, we undertook a comprehensive review of our team structure — assessing ratios, efficiencies, and spans of control to ensure strategic alignment. This rigorous evaluation led to a major reorganization, a bold step that profoundly impacted everyone involved.
One of our greatest challenges was guiding the team through this transition while maintaining motivation and focus.
Taradji: This year, I moved to a new place that I was unfamiliar with, and I’d say one of the biggest challenges was adapting to all the changes. Getting to know new people to work with and building relationships was tough, especially with the goal to turn a site from Red to Green. The first few months were very challenging, with many sleepless nights making sure everything would be okay, from supporting the people I work with to improving the processes.
The journey to achieve this wasn’t easy, but with the support of my great leaders, who were my backbone throughout, we managed to turn things around. I’m proud to say that our site is now one of the top-performing sites in the company.
Q Beyond the recognition, what impact do you hope your feature in the HR Excellence Awards would have on the HR community and manpower landscape?
Bejasa: My hope is to ignite a movement within HR – a shift toward a fiercely "People First" approach where wellbeing, development, and inclusivity are not just buzzwords, but core tenets. Tear down the walls, both physical and metaphorical, with a "No Door Policy" that unlocks a flood of brilliant innovations.
Taradji: Empower your people, listen intently, and co-elevate to achieve extraordinary heights together.
Q Could you share some advice you would give to others aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
Bejasa:
- Embrace a bold vision – Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and implement transformative changes.
- Prioritise people – Always put people first and focus on creating a supportive, inclusive and empowering work environment.
- Be data-driven – Utilise data and analytics to inform your decisions and measure the impact of your initiatives.
- Embrace innovation – Stay ahead of industry trends and be willing to experiment with new approaches.
- Invest in development – Continuously invest in the development of your team and empower them to become stronger leaders.
Taradji: Advice I would give to fellow HR professionals is to always dream big and stay committed to excellence in everything we do. Meeting our KPIs and expectations is important, but we shouldn't stop there. Striving to go above and beyond can not only enhance our work ethic but also lead to personal and professional growth.
When we put in extra effort and take initiative, it often gets recognised and rewarded. Success in HR isn't just about fulfilling the role, it's about adding value, continuously learning, and making a meaningful impact in our organisation.
Q Let's talk inspiration! Who has been a driving force behind your success?
Bejasa: I'm overjoyed to share that I recently married my soulmate, my best friend, and the love of my life. We are blessed with two wonderful daughters who are pursuing careers as future doctors. My family is my heart, my inspiration, and the reason I strive for excellence.
Taradji: The people I work with have truly been the driving force behind my success. I'm especially inspired by my leaders. Their guidance, support, and belief in me have shaped not only the way I work but also how I see myself. One piece of advice from my director really stayed with me: 'Always listen and be open-minded.'
That simple message changed the way I approach challenges and connect with others. I’m grateful every day to work with such empowering and passionate individuals.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
Photos: Provided
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