91视频

Sarah Olbekson

senior director of human resources for Skanska

Sarah Olbekson said she was drawn to human resources because she鈥檚 a problem-solver and a relationship builder who wants to help people utilize their talents in the best way possible.

鈥淚 really enjoy the strategic side of HR, too. I constantly look at competing interests and priorities in the business and think through the effects of a decision and what possible options we have to improve and move the business forward,鈥� she said.

Olbekson leads a team of four HR generalists/coordinators for Skanska鈥檚 offices in Portland and Seattle. A senior HR coordinator on the Seattle team said, 鈥淪he helped us keep things running when a lot of change was happening. We are now in a place where it feels we can focus on new and different areas that we have not been able to prioritize in the past.鈥�

Olbekson is part of Skanska鈥檚 Injury-Free Environment Engagement leadership team, and heads its 鈥淐hallenging Conversations鈥� inclusion training and team-building exercises to help project teams leverage people鈥檚 strengths. She developed and implemented new training programs, such as 鈥淟eadership Training for Managers,鈥� launched in the Portland office.

Olbekson also is involved in Skanska鈥檚 community involvement efforts through the Be Better Together Committee, which focuses on activities that benefit the community such as a street cleanup in downtown Portland, toy drives and donating non-perishable food to organizations, among other initiatives.

For Skanska鈥檚 internship program, which hires college interns each summer to support project teams and provide exposure to the industry, she helps identify which schools to reach out to, plan their experience for the summer and ensure they are included in company events.

Nationally, Olbekson is involved in an annual employee survey; develops and facilitates training for managers and leaders; and supports the supplier diversity, legal, compliance and ethics professional groups.