SHRM.
ORG/HRMAGAZINE
AND THE WINNER IS …
C
ompt, a perk stipend software company based in
Boston, won the inaugural SHRMLabs Better
Workplaces Challenge Cup, besting more than 150
other entrants.
Compt’s perk management platform allows compa-
nies to offer personalized employee perks to all workers,
regardless of whether they are working remotely or at an
employer facility.
“Innovation is critical if we intend to reset, rethink and
reimagine HR and the workplace,” says SHRM Presi-
dent and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.,
SHRM-SCP. “We need technology and folks committed to
technology to help us pave the way.”
Compt received a cash prize of $50,000 to use as start-
up funds for the business.
SHRMLabs is the workplace innovation and venture
capital arm of SHRM. The competition aimed to bridge
the gap between companies that are creating workplace
technologies and the end users of their products: HR pro-
fessionals and their workforces.
In September, SHRM announced a partnership between
SHRMLabs and Techstars Workforce Development Accel-
erator, which is focused on addressing the challenges of the
modern dynamic labor market through innovative technol-
ogies including voice, artificial intelligence, blockchain and
more. Techstars is one of the largest venture investors, by
volume, in early-stage technology companies globally.
“This partnership will allow for SHRMLabs to bring to-
gether leading innovators and human resources technology
experts with global investors and corporations,” says Guill-
ermo Corea, managing director of SHRMLabs. “Techstars
supports the SHRMLabs mission to create better work-
places and solve the challenges inhibiting organizations
and industry professionals to optimize performance.”
Learn more at shrmlabs.com
SHRM FOUNDATION SUPPORTS HR EDUCATION
The SHRM Foundation gives out more than 300 aca-
demic and professional development scholarships and
grants totaling more than $500,000 annually. The newest
awards are:
ā The Undergraduate Exploration in Human Resource
Award, which recognizes individuals who are working on
an HR-related college degree but aren’t SHRM members.
ā The SHRM Student Membership Award, which recog-
nizes students in an undergraduate degree program or
graduate program at an institution of higher learning.
Winter21 D-Inside SHRM.indd 93
STUDENT CHAPTER
ADVISOR HONORED
Harold G. “Hal”
Kaufman, Ph.D., profes-
sor emeritus and senior
research scientist at the
New York University
Tandon School of Engi-
neering, is the winner
of the 2021 Student
Chapter Advisor Impact
Award from the SHRM
Foundation.
When Kaufman created NYU’s SHRM student chap-
ter in 1987, it was known as PolySHRM; it’s now called
TechSHRM. Under his guidance, the chapter has won the
Superior Merit Award for its innovative activities almost
every year since he founded it.
The chapter also received the Outstanding Student
Chapter Award in 2020, 2011 and 2008. As advisor,
Kaufman launched a networking and mentoring event that
is held every semester, introducing students to career op-
portunities in HR and giving them the chance to network
with graduates in HR roles. He also takes students on
field trips to local companies to talk with HR staff about
possible career paths.
Kaufman received a $1,000 cash award and $1,000
for travel and housing for the SHRM Annual Conference
& Expo 2021, as well as a complimentary conference
registration.
At NYU, Kaufman established a graduate program that
integrated the management of people, organizations,
technology and analytics. He earned a doctoral degree in
industrial psychology and a master’s degree in industrial
engineering from NYU.
ā The Mentor of the Year Award, which recognizes an
outstanding mentor who exhibits a commitment to
the HR profession and contributes to the mentee’s
success.
ā The SHRM Foundation Mission Implementation Award,
which recognizes a SHRM member who implements a
program that aligns with Foundation priorities.
Learn more at shrmfoundation.org
WINTER 2021 HR MAGAZINE 93
11/17/21 2:04 PM
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