The Society for Human Resources Management

HR: Leading People, Leading Organizations

The Society for Human Resources Managements (SHRM’s) Mission

SHRM serves the needs of the human resource management professional.

By providing the most essential and comprehensive set of resources available.

The Society for Human Resources Managements (SHRM’s) Mission

The Society is committed to the capabilities of all human resource professionals.

In addition, the Society is committed to advancing the human resource profession.

SHRM’s Mission

The Society is committed to the capabilities of all human resource professionals.

The Society is committed to ensuring that HR is an essential and effective partner in developing and executing organizational strategy.

SHRM’s History

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), formerly called the American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA).

ASPA was founded in 1948 by a group of just 28 individuals.

These founding members anticipated the need for a national organization to represent the personnel profession.

SHRM’s History

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM’s) goal was to provide continued professional development opportunities.

To promote national networking

SHRM’s History

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), is geared toward the general advance the interests of a profession they recognized as being in transition.

The Society's first annual conference, which was held in Cleveland, received a total of 67 attendees and generated a net profit of $72.86.

SHRM’s History

Until 1964, ASPA was strictly a volunteer organization with no permanent facilities or staff.

The first Executive Director, Leonard Brice, was hired in 1964 and it was decided that the headquarters would be located in his community of Berea, Ohio.

SHRM’s History

At that time there were 3,152 members and five staff members.

The Organization remained headquartered in Ohio until 1984.

SHRM’s History

Under the leadership of President & COO Ron Pilenzo, SPHR, it moved its headquarters to Alexandria, VA.

Seven staff transferred with the organization and 32 new staff came on board to meet the needs of more than 35,000 members.

SHRM’s History

In 1989, the organization's name was changed from the American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA) to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

This was to reflect its broadened scope and influence in business and political worlds internationally.

SHRM’s History

In 1990, after 10 years with the Society, President Ron Pilenzo, SPHR, retired and Mike Losey, SPHR, CAE was selected as the new President & CEO.

In 1997, to accommodate its continuously growing membership and staff, the Society moved to its current Alexandria headquarters at 1800 Duke Street.

By 1998, during its 50th Anniversary, SHRM celebrated a milestone of more than 90,000 professional and student members worldwide.

SHRM’s History

In May of 2001, the Society celebrated another growth achievement with the opening of a second building adjacent to its Duke Street office.

This new building commemorated the formation of the SHRM campus.

SHRM’s History

This new building commemorated the formation of the SHRM campus.

Today, under the leadership of President & CEO Susan R. Meisinger, SPHR, SHRM includes a global membership of more than 200,000.

SHRM has members in 120 countries including Canada, China, United Kingdom, Australia, Bermuda, Japan, Singapore, Trinidad, Bahamas and Germany.

SHRM’s History

With a staff of more than 200, there are more than 20 specialized departments within SHRM.

This is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most essential and comprehensive set of resources available.

SHRM’s History

As an influential voice, SHRM is committed to advancing the human resource profession.

They are committed to ensuring that HR is an essential and effective partner in developing and executing organizational strategy.