The Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA) has honored outstanding HR professionals this year from A+E Networks, Comcast Cable and Bright House Networks. Since 2007, CTHRA has hosted this awards program acknowledging the innovative ideas of the people in charge of hiring, benefits and much more. Slowly but surely, their initiatives will shape the industry and challenge the HR status quo. Here’s the award for Aspiring Leader.

Jennifer Tracy – Director of Talent Acquisition & Diversity, Bright House Networks

Jennifer Tracy is a force to be reckoned with. As senior director of talent acquisition and diversity at Bright House Networks, she’s managed to recharge the cable op’s HR. A natural leader and collaborator, Tracy implemented new training for hiring managers and sharpened the focus of the entire HR team. She also took advantage of the Applicant Tracking System by implementing a new addition (SmashFly), which allowed her to obtain more detailed information on where applicants were coming from. This smart step has allowed Bright House Networks to spend recruitment dollars in an educated, informed way. Tracy also recommended the appointment of a manager of diversity; as a result of this new position, Bright House will launch an entire initiative dedicated to inclusion and diversity. Her advice for others looking to launch a diversity initiative: “Educate and develop your leaders in order to ensure they are engaged early in the process. Take your time. First build a solid foundation, then start expanding your communication and strategy.” With Bright House in the process of being acquired by Charter, one of her jobs is keeping employees and potential hires engaged and informed. “One of our core strengths at Bright House Networks is employee recognition, and the key to engagement is continuing to highlight our awesome employees,” Tracy told us. “We believe there will be great opportunities available, and our goal is to stay focused on continuing to do what we do and do it well.”

Q&A with Jennifer Tracy, director of talent acquisition & diversity for Bright House Networks

What advice do you have for a company looking to launch a diversity and inclusion initiative?
Educate and develop your leaders in order to ensure they are engaged early in the process. Take your time. First build a solid foundation, then start expanding your communication and strategy.

What is one of the biggest changes in HR in this industry in the past five years?
One of the biggest changes is in the area of recruitment. If you don’t have a solid Employment Value Proposition and Marketing Plan – internally and externally, you miss the opportunity to get the best talent. As the economy has improved and unemployment has dropped, if you haven’t already invested in recruitment, you may have missed the opportunity to get the best talent.

How do you keep employees and potential hires engaged and informed during the pending Charter acquisition?
Keeping employees engaged is critical. One of our core strengths at Bright House Networks is employee recognition, and the key to engagement is continuing to highlight our awesome employees. We believe there will be great opportunities available, and our goal is to stay focused on continuing to do what we do and do it well.