What does it really mean to lead with empathy, accountability, and purpose?
In this episode, host Joy Fajardo sits down with Manuelita Cherizard, Chief Human Resources Officer at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), for an inspiring and deeply thoughtful conversation about leadership, mentorship, and building workplaces where people truly thrive.
With 20+ years of experience across private, public, and nonprofit sectors, Manuelita shares how her curiosity and love of business led her intentionally into HR.
She opens up about the mentors who shaped her leadership journey, the power of honest feedback, and why advocacy is one of the greatest gifts a leader can give.
Manuelita also shares why HR must speak the language of business, how curiosity fuels career growth, and what it takes to truly align people strategy with organizational mission.
If you’re passionate about employee experience and leadership development, this episode is full of practical insight and grounded wisdom from someone who is living it every day.
Tune in and get ready to elevate the way you think about HR leadership.
Chief Human Resources Officer | Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Manuelita Cherizard is a passionate advocate for human development and growth. This personal mission is driven by a deep knowledge of how to align talent with organizational objectives, as well as keen personal insight. She has learned first-hand how appropriate support can impact professional achievement. Throughout her varied career, she has made mentoring and development a top priority.
Manuelita has guided human resources efforts in private, public, not for-profit, and crown corporations having both unionized and non-unionized employees. She is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Royal Ontario Museum, one of Canada’s pre-eminent cultural institutions.
A life-long learner, Manuelita earned her MBA at Concordia University in Montreal, after obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). She is fluent in French and English, and has a working knowledge of Spanish.
Manuelita’s commitment to helping others to develop their potential has led her to volunteer her time as an active and committed board member for organizations dedicated to helping under-employed and marginalized individuals improve their lives.
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