Anna Gedman, MHRLR ’02
Anna Gedman is Chief Human Resources Officer, Blain Supply and Blain's Farm & Fleet. In this role she is responsible for leading the HR function in driving an integrated talent strategy, building organizational capability and leveraging culture to drive business success. As a member of the Blain's Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO, Anna is charged with unlocking the potential of associates across Blain's 45 retail stores, Distribution Centers and Support Center.
Prior to this, Anna was Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Bridgestone Americas and was based in Nashville, Tennessee. Bringing depth as a business leader and HR expertise, Anna was able to champion early career development, lead with a cohesive and market focused talent strategy at the forefront of field and business operations while forging partnerships with organized labor to create new value amidst often unprecedented circumstances.
Additionally, Anna held positions of increasing responsibility throughout her career at Ford Motor Company having first started as a Human Resources Business Partner at the Chicago Stamping Plant. This included supporting nearly every part of the business throughout her tenure, including plant HR leadership and leading HR for US Marketing, Sales and Service.
Anna has a bachelors degree from Michigan State University, having majored in Political Economy in the James Madison Collage and also a Masters in Human Resources and Labor Relations from MSU. Additionally, Anna is a member of the State Bar of Michigan having earned a J.D. Wayne State University Law School. She also served as Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management and is currently President of the Advisory Board for the MSU School of Human Resources and Labor Relations.
Anna has recently relocated to Wisconsin with her husband Nate, and daughters Grace and Maren.
What was your biggest takeaway from the MHRLR experience?
Being a part of this profession is a lifelong journey. The foundations set in the program and the relationships formed were the start of building a knowledge base and thought process to provide leadership and service in the world of work. I recall a professor challenging us to think about the issues we wanted to have a positive impact on throughout our academic and professional work...and that over the course of our careers we would have the opportunity to see, feel and reflect on our contributions. That continues to resonate as I think about the impact we have the opportunity and responsibility to make.
What are you most excited to achieve as President of the AB?
We have a network that is far reaching and yet very close, allowing us to connect and continue to build upon the legacies of our program and profession as we encourage partnership, stewardship and thought leadership as to how we can best support our school.
The work of our AB in establishing resources for the school, supporting strategic goals, like advancing competitiveness and furthering the research mission is a way to give back and provide service that we are uniquely positioned for as a Board. Partnering with such a talented and energetic Board, makes for meaningful time spent as we support MSU and the School, which has given so much to all of us. It's my hope that we will find unique ways to bring connection to advance this strategic agenda, particularly in support of the student experience and fostering relationships across our lifelong network.
Fondest memory at MSU?
Spartans truly are incredible! MSU is where I formed lifelong friendships and started to understand the nuances of Human Resources and Labor Relations. I am grateful for all that I learned from professors, fellow students, and alumni, now colleagues. The outreach programs in the school were also really unique and showed me how vast HR can be. I learned a lot as a Graduate Assistant in Workers' Comp Research, both from practitioners and faculty.
What were your favorite classes?
They were all my favorite at the time! Compensation, HR Strategy, High Performance Work Systems and Labor Relations were all standout experiences that helped shape my thinking.
Anything to share with the alumni network?
I am looking forward to coming together and finding ways to support our school and build on the legacies that have served us all.