Jackie Havel is the vice president of human resources at Amur Equipment Finance. She has been a dedicated and inspirational leader at Amur for nearly a decade. Her unique blend of compassion, empathy and unwavering commitment stands out to both her colleagues and her community.
Havel’s leadership approach is marked by a deep commitment to ensuring that every employee’s voice is heard within Amur. She values diverse perspectives, especially when decisions may impact her colleagues. This emphasis on inclusivity creates a workplace where employees find their roles fulfilling and genuinely look forward to coming to work. Her proactive approach to engaging employees and her exceptional communication skills lend themselves to a strong and celebrated environment.
“What sets Jackie apart is her innate understanding of employee needs and how she has rallied the management team behind initiatives to continuously better Amur’s workplace culture,” James Truran, chief operating officer at Amur, says. “Amur’s exceptional referral and retention rates are a testament to Jackie’s persistent focus on engaging and empowering each member of the Amur team.”
Whether it involves encouraging an employee to acknowledge their colleagues with awards, offering opportunities for local teams to volunteer together or ensuring the assistance of in-office employees in transitioning to remote work during temporary family-related situations, Havel inspires the entire Amur team to foster a sense of value and success among one another.
Community engagement is one of Havel’s primary missions. She goes above and beyond her workplace responsibilities, actively engaging with and making meaningful contributions to the broader community. Her leadership in diverse community organizations and her team’s involvement underscore her strong commitment to social responsibility.
Under Havel’s guidance, Amur secured the Great Place to Work Certification for the fourth consecutive year. She played a pivotal role in shaping Amur’s comprehensive employee benefits package and continues to expand it, providing support during challenging times. Her personal example of leadership extends beyond Amur, with her involvement in organizations like the GRACE Cancer Foundation, Crisis Center (now Willow Rising), Red Cross and the Grand Island Area Clean Community System.
Havel has also spearheaded innovative approaches to internal and external communication of Amur’s core values, including online educational resources and a heightened focus on recognition and accolades shared on social media. The company’s performance goals are now intricately tied to these values, with a focus on fostering inclusion for remote colleagues.
Havel’s leadership has revitalized Amur’s local office, fostering increased in-person interaction and office returns through innovative changes like noise reduction, flexible scheduling and activities that increased interaction with remote colleagues. Amid the pandemic, her exceptional leadership ensured swift implementation of emergency sick leave pay, even for new employees with minimal accrued leave. Her commitment to employee well-being extends beyond COVID-19, with consistent support for those caring for sick relatives, even when remote.
Havel’s dedication to community involvement has inspired her team to make a significant impact. Their efforts have led to one-time donations for a regional emergency shelter and monthly supply contributions to support essential needs.
Beyond her professional achievements, Havel holds board positions with Central Nebraska HR and the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, demonstrating her deep engagement in the community.
“Strong women leaders stand together when things get rough, cheer each other on when they need support and celebrate each other’s wins.”