Muskegon, MI ---November 12, 2025 --- ASE, employers’ trusted partner for Everything HR, is pleased to announce the honorees for its 2025 HR Excellence Awards which includes the 2025 HR Executives of the Year and their newest award, Emerging HR Leader. ASE oversees the nomination process, and a selection committee made up of ASE board members, past award recipients, and HR executives reviews all nominations and selects the honorees based on a systematic point system. The 2025 award recipients are:

HR Executives of the Year:

For-profit Organization – Large Employer

Jason Lioy

Chief People Officer, Dawn Foods

For-profit Organization – Small Employer

Kimberly Simoneau

Director of Human Resources, Adrian Steel Company

Health & Human Services Organization – Large Employer

Natalie R. Brown, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Vice President of Human Resources, Emergent Health Partners

Health & Human Services Organization – Small Employer

Cheryl Weiland, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Senior Director, Human Resources, UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust

Emerging HR Leader:

Charles Fowlkes II

Manager – HR Client Relations, DTE Energy

View their full bios on the ASE HR Excellence Awards webpage.

“This year’s award recipients exemplify the impact HR leaders have in driving organizational success and shaping positive workplace cultures,” said Mary E. Corrado, President & CEO of ASE. “Their leadership, innovation, and commitment to the profession truly set them apart, and we are honored to recognize their achievements.”

The 2025 HR Excellence Award winners will receive their awards at the 2026 HR Conference being held March 12, 2026, at the Suburban Collection Showcase in Novi, Michigan.  HR Conference registration includes admittance to the award presentation and reception which will immediately follow the conference from 3:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Those who only want to attend the award presentation and reception can purchase a ticket here.

About ASE 

ASE is employers trusted partner for Everything HR. ASE is a non-profit, membership organization – everything we do is based on the needs of members and to drive the success of their organizations and help them THRIVE. ASE strengthens organization's HR departments by offering member benefits and discounted services that span the entire employee lifecycle including recruitment, development, and retention while minimizing compliance risk. We provide our members guidance through new legislation and workplace issues. ASE has offices throughout Michigan in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Novi, and Troy. Learn more about ASE at www.aseonline.org.