2024 Dynamic Dozen Top Human Resources Professional: Jessieca Hollister-Graham

Jessieca Hollister-Graham’s goal is intentional connection as director of human resources for Digital Monitoring Products Inc. In this role, she oversees the HR and organizational development teams that serve approximately 400 employees in 28 states from the Springfield-based central headquarters. Her day often includes processing payroll, addressing personnel needs and coordinating training, but it’s also much more than that. Hollister-Graham says the most difficult part of her job doubles as the most gratifying. She juggles time between high-end strategizing while maintaining personal interactions with individuals.

While balancing these duties, she stays intentional about one-on-one time with co-workers. HR is about people, after all.

“The fluid nature of the role is one of the things I love most. But it means I always have to assess where I am needed the most,” she says. “Seeing the trust that our employees are able to place in their human resources team is incredibly rewarding.”

Hollister-Graham graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Missouri State University and holds a Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional certification. Because she provides HR services to employees across the country, Hollister-Graham coordinates labor laws and markets in different states – no easy task.

She often reviews state and federal legislation, aligning company policy with rulings. She also faces challenges such as recruitment difficulties because of low employment rates, the switch to remote or hybrid work and compensation increases that make hiring extra competitive. DMP is constantly hiring for engineering, manufacturing, technical support and business operations departments, so Hollister-Graham and her team got creative with recruitment strategies, partnering with community groups and universities in addition to utilizing an applicant tracking system and leveraging LinkedIn.

“This has required employers to be very nimble in their approach to finding talent,” she says, “acting fast and keeping a tight pulse on the market.”

Hollister-Graham and her team have implemented two employee programs to increase engagement, retention and well-being. The first is a creative concierge, which provides practical, holistic support and space to be heard – whether an employee is celebrating an exciting milestone like the birth of a child or going through a challenge like receiving a medical diagnosis.

“As our employees encounter life events – good or bad – the HR team now comes alongside the individual to provide unique support,” Hollister-Graham says. “This partnership provides a unique opportunity for us to connect with employees and be seen as a partner and an extension of the benefits they get by working at DMP.”