Beyond the Desk: How Sherwood Park Manor is Building a True People-First HR Program

Amanda Worden’s career in human resources (HR) has always been about supporting people. As a student, she saw HR as an opportunity to help people find employment, support them through difficult times, and help leaders create a healthy, supportive workplace.

Her career is nearly two decades in the making, serving many individuals and organizations across multiple sectors such as Ontario Health, The Canadian Red Cross, Municipality of Leeds and Grenville Maple View Lodge, Queen’s University’s School of Nursing, and finally, Sherwood Park Manor. Although her roles have varied, her interest in helping people remains a constant.

After working with the School of Nursing, Amanda realized how much she missed being connected to frontline health care. She had enjoyed her experience at Maple View Lodge and wanted to return to the long-term care sector, where she could work closely with staff and residents, and feel connected to a greater purpose.

At Sherwood Park Manor, she values being part of the daily environment and seeing the impact of the work firsthand. While some HR positions focus mainly on areas such as recruitment, Amanda gets to contribute across the full range of responsibilities. The variety, she says, means the work is never boring!

Amanda has now been at Sherwood Park Manor for a little over two years. When she arrived, there had never been a dedicated HR professional, giving her the opportunity to build systems and develop the portfolio from the ground up.

As the redevelopment progresses, Amanda feels fortunate to shape new systems and structures that support staff. She calls the project a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that brings her immense pride. While much work remains, she is thrilled with the progress so far and hopes every employee knows they have a reliable advocate in her corner.

Her role also serves as an important reminder that HR supports the entire organization, both its leaders and its employees. By helping people navigate challenges, strengthening workplace systems, and keeping staff connected to the organization’s purpose, Amanda continues to shape a people-first approach to human resources at Sherwood Park Manor.

Sherwood Park Manor is fortunate to have such a strong, experienced professional to support us as we grow.