UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa, — Mindy Moore, a Human Resources (HR) consultant in the College of Agricultural Sciences, is the recipient of the 2025 Ray T. Fortunato Award for Excellence in Human Resources for her outstanding contributions to Penn State HR.
Established by the late Ray T. Fortunato, the flagship award acknowledges HR employees’ exceptional contributions and dedication to improving human resources at Penn State. This year’s award was presented to Moore by Jennifer Wilkes, vice president for Human Resources and chief human resources officer at Penn State, during an HR Town Hall event in May.
“Through her innovation, dedication, and forward-thinking approach, Mindy has significantly improved the orientation process for new staff, setting a new standard for excellence in employee integration,” said Wilkes. “Her creativity, problem-solving skills, and tireless commitment to improving processes exemplify the outstanding leadership and service this award recognizes.”
Moore has played a key role in the new employee onboarding orientation in the College of Agricultural Sciences, which is often how employees get their first look at the college’s operations and form their first impressions. Her work in developing a comprehensive, customer-focused experience has resulted in a more holistic introduction to the college’s mission.
She accomplished this all while completing her bachelor’s and obtaining her master’s degrees in labor and employment relations, actively applying what she was learning to her work with the college.
“I am truly honored to receive this award. To be recognized by my colleagues who share in the work, challenges, and passion for the work we do means more to me than words can express,” Moore said. “This recognition reflects not only my own efforts, but the dedication and support of the incredible team I work with every day. I am also grateful for the strong partnerships I’ve made within the wider HR community, which continue to inspire and challenge me. A special thank you to my manager, Erikka Runkle, whose guidance, leadership, and belief in my potential have played a pivotal role in my growth. I appreciate being a part of such an inspiring group of HR professionals and look forward to continuing to grow and contribute.”