Voices of HMI: Meet the Team
Voices of HMI: Meet sedef
Get ready to meet the faces behind Human Migration Institute in our new interview series, "Voices of HMI." Through these interviews, we'll introduce you to the diverse and dedicated individuals who make up our team.
In our debut edition, we're excited to introduce Sedef Altug, HR Coordinator at HMI. Join us as we explore her journey, insights, and contributions to our organization's mission of supporting refugees in Riverside, CA.
Let's dive into Sedef’s story and learn more about the people driving positive change at HMI.
Q: Can you briefly describe your role and responsibilities at HMI? A: As an HR coordinator at HMI, my role involves overseeing various aspects of human resources management to ensure the organization attracts, retains, and develops diverse talent. This includes recruiting, onboarding, training, performance management, and employee relations. Additionally, I also manage the responsibilities of a finance coordinator, which involve budgeting, financial reporting, expense management, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and policies. Furthermore, I oversee the onboarding process for new employees, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary information and resources to succeed in their roles. Moreover, I am responsible for reaching out to and coordinating with volunteers who contribute their time and skills to support HMI's mission.
Q: What motivated or inspired you to become involved with HMI? A: What motivated me to become involved with HMI was the organization's mission to provide integrated services to refugees and its commitment to making a positive impact on their lives. As a lawyer who previously worked with immigrants, joining HMI inspired me to extend my support to refugees, who are in dire need of assistance as they start new lives in the U.S. I found helping them very meaningful, and I chose to continue my career with HMI where I can contribute to the refugee community.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about working at HMI? A: The most rewarding aspect of working at HMI is seeing the direct impact of our efforts on the lives of refugees. Knowing that we are making a difference and helping people rebuild their lives is incredibly fulfilling.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience or success story from your time at HMI? A: One particularly touching experience during my time at HMI is when I deliver food every week to a refugee family. Witnessing their joy, especially the children's excitement when they receive snacks and other essentials, is incredibly heartwarming. It's moments like these that remind me of the significance of our work and the impact we have on the lives of those we serve.
Q: How do you see HMI's impact on the community and the individuals it serves? A: HMI's impact on the community and the individuals it serves is significant. By providing essential services such as education, and social support, HMI helps refugees rebuild their lives and integrate into their new communities. This not only benefits the individuals directly served but also contributes to the overall well-being and diversity of the community. The students HMI provided tutoring to have gone on to attend community colleges and pursue higher education. Some have become engineers, and we even have a student who enrolled in a pre-nursing program. These are also very impactful examples of the positive influence HMI has on the community and individuals it serves.
Q: As an HR coordinator at HMI, how do you ensure that the organization attracts and retains diverse talent, particularly individuals who align with HMI's mission and values? A: To ensure that HMI attracts and retains diverse talent who align with the organization's mission and values, we prioritize diversity in our hiring and retention efforts. We implement inclusive recruitment practices and actively promote diversity and inclusion initiatives within the organization and the community. Additionally, we always prefer our capable volunteers first for employment opportunities, as long as they have a compatible background and have already gained experience with HMI. This ensures that we hire dedicated individuals who have already demonstrated their commitment to supporting our community through volunteer work.