Episode 120: A Case for Mental Health First Aid

Nicole is the Director of Human Resources at Bauer Design Build, where she leads people strategy with a focus on building people-first workplaces that align culture with business growth. Her work sits at the intersection of culture, operational reality, and mental health, creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and safe to speak up. With experience in highly structured industries and a pivot into construction, she brings a practical, real-world perspective on what actually builds trust in tough, traditional environments, and why presence matters more than programs. Nicole is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and passionate mental health advocate who has trained over 40% of her organization in recognizing, responding to, and supporting coworkers in distress. She believes mental health belongs not just in benefits conversations, but as a leadership and operational priority that directly impacts culture, retention, and employee well-being. Beyond HR, Nicole is a proud mom of two (who may or may not cringe at her cheering from the sidelines), the wife of a first responder, a lover of books, sparkles, pastries, and coffee.   Guest: Nicole Van Heel | Director of Human Resources for Bauer Design Build Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-van-heel/   Contact info: Email: [email protected]   Host: Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/   INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.