For the Top Workplaces 2022 report, we highlight some of the people who are helping their employers and colleagues thrive every day, and especially during the pandemic.
Dani Milliken is Director of Human Resources for the Jahnel Group.
But to hear her boss say it, she just might have an “S” for Superwoman on a uniform tucked under her work clothes.
“She’s just amazing. … She manages all of our HR benefits for the 130 employees, so she serves people every day with their health insurance, their dental plan, their vision, whatever it is from an HR perspective,” Jahnel Group Inc. CEO Darrin Jahnel said, adding that she’s also part of the leadership team, “What really separates Dani is how she serves the team.”
She has been in charge of HR for about 2 and a half years.
Milliken said she was humbled and slightly embarrassed by all the praise, but she wasn’t looking for it.
“I tend to wear many hats just because I’m a little part of engagement, a little part of HR and accounting, and just getting involved in different events, so I think that’s just my nature that I tend to sign up for anything or be helpful,” Milliken said. “I’m the kind of person I want to do the job for, and whatever job you do.”
2022 Best Workplaces in the Capital Region
For more than 10 years, Times Union has partnered with Energage to rank the best places to work in the Capital Region. This year, more than 15,500 employees assessed their corporate culture — and the results are in. Discover the winners:
— Large employers: 300 or more employees
— Medium-sized employers: 100 to 299 employees
— Small employers: less than 100 employees
— Special distinctions: highlighting specific survey results
This year’s leadership awards went to Carver Laraway of Carver Cos., Sonny Bonacio of Bonacio Construction and Morgan Ruthman of The Spinney Group.
Learn about the survey methodology.
Jahnel recalled the custom software design firm’s recently ended ‘war week’, when 100 employees gathered at the downtown Schenectady office in the Mill Artisan district, and how Milliken was there, early in the morning, preparing breakfast, then presiding over 6 a.m. workouts.
“The team voted her MVP, and everyone loves what she brings to the table, and she’s recognized by everyone,” Jahnel said.
Then there’s the time when Milliken, who is married and has 9-year-old twins, made 305 trips over a six-day period to climb the 124 steps to Jahnel’s sixth-floor office during the 10 million challenge. of business steps.
She said the stair challenge brought out her competitive nature.
Jahnel said company executives realized early on in the interview process that Milliken would be a great addition to their team.
“She is completely crazy, just like us. She gets up at 3 a.m., she works out, she’s an amazing mom, she’s a professional rock star, and we were so lucky to have her, so right from the start she came in with this servant mentality,” he said. .
Milliken said the admiration is mutual.
“There’s no better fit, and when people say ‘It’s too good to be true’ they won’t believe you, but Jahnel Group is so passionate about its people, not just professionally but personally… and it really makes you want to do more,” she said.
Headquarter: Schenectady
Based: 2009
The possession: Private
Activity area: Consulting and custom software development
Employees: 80 in the Capital Region; 120 worldwide
Years Named Best Workplaces: 6
Website: jahnelgroup.com
