Bradford Wilkins Named the 2019 HR Rising Star by Atlanta Business Chronicle at Inaugural HR Excellence Awards

Wilkins aided Altisource's rapid growth with reorganization

As published in Atlanta Business Chronicle - https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/c/inaugural-hr-excellence-awards/9778/wilkins-aided-altisources-rapid-growth-with-reorganization.html

As someone who enjoys refereeing in his spare time, Bradford Wilkins heard what he considers some of the best words of wisdom he’s ever received from a longtime NBA Finals official.

“(He) told me the best part about refereeing is you go into every game trying to be perfect, but knowing it is impossible,” said Wilkins, chief people officer for Altisource, a transactions solutions provider for the real estate, mortgage and consumer debt industries which is based in Luxembourg with North American headquarters in Atlanta. “I think it is important to remember that when you’re in HR because we are dealing with the most amazing and, simultaneously, most unpredictable component of the business — its people. So we can use data to continue to refine our programs, customize experiences at the employee level and measure success/failure, but at the end of the day there are some things that are just out of your control. And to savor in that, it is the never-ending challenge that makes the craft so unique and fun.”

When Wilkins was hired by Altisource in three-and-a-half years ago, he was tasked with building a modern human resources department for the company. Based in Atlanta, Wilkins created what he called a “people solutions” function and instilled within the company the idea that business problems can be met with people solutions. He built a strategic plan around HR services: core values, organizational design, employee engagement, compliance and human capital management. To that end, he rewrote the company’s core values, established monthly employee awards, rebranded the facilities and integrated core values into performance reviews. He also reorganized the company’s five key business segments, launched the first global employee engagement survey, and managed global recruiting, handling more than 2,000 hires.

“Brad brings relentless energy every day to his role in making Altisource a great place to work for our employees,” said Kevin Wilcox, Chief Administration and Risk Officer. “This converts to many proactive ideas to build our workplace culture. One great example of this is Brad’s leadership in driving our senior executive-to-employee communication outreach and engagement initiatives. This results in frequent global employee town halls through video conferencing, all-employee trivia contests around key messaging and frequent employee ideation sessions, all to engage our workforce. In our most recent employee survey a large majority of respondents agreed Altisource is a great place to work.”

Wilkins’ work is noticed outside his company, as well. He has been referred to by multiple sources as a thought leader in the human resources industry, has been interviewed by Forbes Magazine and was included in the book, “Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation.”

Wilkins is the winner of the Rising Star Award in the inaugural HR Excellence Awards presented by Atlanta Business Chronicle in partnership with SHRM-Atlanta. The award recognizes human resource practitioners under age 35 and below who have already made a measurable impact on their organizations.

“Brad has an exceptional drive for creating business solutions, as opposed to creating a process or focusing on problems,” said Marcello Mastioni, Chief Operating Officer atAltisource. “This world functions because of the people running it, and Brad always sets a very high bar on how HR can help develop solutions that make a real difference in the business. (He) is a great example of how the combination of hard work and motivation can make a positive difference on the team and on the business. Brad is a believer in the value and power of creating a positive and energized environment. His all-in attitude — far from being opportunistic or a disguise — works as an amplifier of energy and drive for the broader team.”

Wilkins is proud of helping the company to focus its mission during a time of rapid growth.

“At the organization level, our recent reorganization has created a streamlined operating model that will allow Altisource to continue to grow and thrive but also create new opportunities for our employees’ careers that didn’t exist before,” Wilkins said. “In terms of our HR strategy, providing a North Star to be the best in the world at talent assessment, talent review, career optimization and people analytics.”

It is essential, according to Wilkins, that someone in human resources fully comprehends the business and the impact people have on financial metrics.

“Lots of people are begging for HR to have a seat at the table instead of learning how to have a dinner party and have people over to their table,” Wilkins said. “If you are driving business-oriented solutions, I have found throughout my career you become the trusted advisor that seems so elusive to many keynote speakers at HR conferences across the country.”