For Jessa Muriel Muit Nadela, a Certified Human Resource Professional, the journey into HR wasn’t something she meticulously planned—but rather, something she discovered through experience, family inspiration, and a strong desire to help others. Today, she’s using her people-first mindset to create healthier workplaces and meaningful employee relationships—proving that the heart of HR is often shaped by empathy.
“I originally planned to go into social work because I’ve always wanted to support and help people,” Jessa told Financial Adviser PH. “But along the way, I found myself in a recruiting role, and I realized that HR also gave me the chance to make a real impact on people’s lives just in a different setting. That experience opened the door to a career in HR, and I’ve been loving the journey ever since.”
Jessa’s initial spark for HR came from someone close to home—her cousin-in-law, who worked in the field and often shared stories that stayed with her.
“A big influence was my cousin-in-law, who’s like a sister to me,” she shared. “She’s an HR professional herself and often talked about how she was able to help people in their careers. Her passion for the field really inspired me to follow a similar path.”
From recruitment to employee relations and everything in between, Jessa soon realized HR offered something unique: the ability to balance operational leadership with genuine emotional connection.
“I’ve always been interested in helping people and making workplaces better,” she said. “What inspired me to pursue a career in HR was seeing how much of an impact good HR practices can have on employee satisfaction and company culture. I wanted to be part of that—supporting others, solving problems, and helping teams grow.”
But the HR journey isn’t always easy. Jessa admitted that many moments tested her resolve, especially when dealing with difficult conversations or tough calls. Still, these experiences shaped her as a leader.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my journey is the importance of having a growth mindset,” she explained. “HR is not an easy job—we’re often placed in challenging situations and, at times, have to be the bearer of bad news. What helped me grow through those experiences was focusing on building meaningful relationships with employees.”
Jessa’s human-centered approach helped her navigate these challenges with empathy and earned her the trust of the people she worked with.
“When people know that you genuinely care, it becomes easier to navigate difficult conversations with empathy and trust,” she said. “Those moments, though tough, have taught me resilience, communication, and the value of staying human in HR.”
Despite the quiet, behind-the-scenes nature of her work, Jessa finds deep fulfillment in knowing that what she does matters—even if it isn’t always publicly recognized.
“One lesson I learned early on is that HR can sometimes feel like a thankless job,” she reflected. “You’re often working behind the scenes, and not everyone sees the effort it takes to keep things running smoothly. But I’ve also learned that the real reward comes from knowing you’re making a difference, even if it’s not always recognized.”
Now a certified HR professional, Jessa continues to grow, driven by the purpose that first led her to consider social work: making life better for others. Through her HR role, she brings that mission into the workplace—one conversation, one policy, one person at a time.
Her advice for aspiring HR professionals? “Don’t underestimate the power of human connection. You might not always get credit, but your impact is real.”
