League of Legends Recipients

2025, Melissa Abbott

HRAGC Member since 2017.

Melissa has given generously of her time, talent and expertise to HRAGC. She has mentored members on the Finance committee and the board. She has encouraged members to participate on committees and has promoted the development of members by advocating for scholarships to the annual leadership conference, annual Granite State HR Conference, the HRAGC SHRM Certification Prep Workshop, and other appropriate development opportunities. Over her membership tenure, Melissa has served as Board VP (2017-2018), President (2018-2019), Past President (2019-2020), Treasurer (2024-present), and director. She has been an active participant on committees and continues to serve on the finance committee. In 2019, HRAGC was in a transformation, members engagement was low, and board development had been limited. Melissa volunteered to stay on as President an additional year if needed. She was involved in the board development effort and HRAGC members were presented with full board nominations of both seasoned and novice board members. Her knowledge and leadership as Past President were invaluable in the transition. Melissa cycled off the board in 2023 and remained on the Finance committee. In 2024, LDC (in its capacity as nomination committee) was faced with a last-minute withdrawal from the proposed treasurer. Without hesitation, Melissa stepped up and volunteered her services with the proviso of developing the finance committee and a treasurer succession plan. Her knowledge and wisdom is actively sought. She continues to be a thoughtful, deliberate contributor to what makes HRAGC such a strong organization.

Melissa has been a strong advocate of HRAGC and has recruited many new members. She has been an ambassador and spokesperson for the organization during her time in senior leadership roles. She served on the Granite State HR Council and has been integral in sharing HRAGC initiatives and efforts to the public at large. She has mentored many members and been supportive of members’ activities.

Melissa has served as a SME for several of HRAGC programs in the last 5 years. She has provided leads to potential speakers to the Programs committee. In her capacity as a finance committee member and currently as treasurer, Melissa has been available to work with various committees, committee chairs, board members and others on HRAGC financial matters. She has been the voice of reason and principle when discussing opportunities for HRAGC. Most recently, she was integral to the pilot of bundling programs with annual membership renewal. Her command of the financial components of Wild Apricot were integral in crafting the logistics of the process. Melissa has always been responsive when asked for assistance and insight from her expertise.

She is a gentle giant and has played a significant role in rejuvenating and sustaining HRAGC. She is most worthy of induction into the HRAGC League of Legends.

HRAGC Member since July 2013

For over 24 years, Carol has been a human resource professional. During her career, she has worked at NH Department of Education, SAU 19, and NH Public Risk Management Exchange

(Primex³). She is a senior professional who has applied her HR competencies within recruitment, training and development, employee relations, leadership development, change, and leadership transition management. Her colleagues have credited her with being a strategic leader who has employed those competencies enabling her to be a major contributor to assisting the organization in achieving its strategic initiatives.

Carol has taken an active role in the SHRM affiliated chapter HRAGC. Upon joining HRAGC, she became a member of the Community Relations Committee. Carol was instrumental in establishing and championing the relationship with the Concord Regional Technical Center and HRAGC’s involvement in its mock interviews and career day. Since 2019, she served as Vice President, President, Past President, and currently serves as a board member. She has also served as an active member of the Leadership Development Committee. During her tenure as President, HRAGC was recognized with PLATINUM Chapter status as well as SHRM Foundation Chapter Champion and SHRM Learning System Champion. In her capacity as Past President, Carol also served on the Granite State HR Council, taking an active role in support of the council’s initiatives and being the liaison to the HRAGC, bringing back information and knowledge to that chapter. Carol has been a strong advocate for SHRM certification and has actively recruited participants from the public sector.

Carol has been a panelist/subject matter expert (SME) numerous times on the annual trends program in January. She has also graciously participated as a discussion member for some of our virtual meetings, providing insights and interactions with our speakers that have enriched the experience for all. She is a resource for members and provides informal coaching for committee chairs she serves with. Carol has served on various committees, currently on the Membership Committee and on the Community Relations, Membership, and Leadership Development Committees in the past. She is also a very thoughtful, deliberate voice of reason on the Board of Directors.

Carol has been an active member of her community. She has served on several community boards, volunteered for numerous community projects, and is an adjunct faculty member in HR and Marketing for UNH - Granite State College.

Carol exemplifies what we all aspire to be professionally. She is most worthy of this recognition. Congratulations Carol!

2023, Elena Alois

HRAGC Member since 2012

For over 20 years, Elena has been a human resource professional. During her career, she has worked at SNHU, Catholic Medical Center, Northeast Delta Dental, and The NHHEAF Network. She is a senior professional who has applied her HR competencies within recruitment, training and development, total rewards (payroll and benefits), employee relations, leadership development, change and leadership transition management. Her colleagues have credited her with being a strategic leader who has employed those competencies enabling her to be a major contributor in assisting the organization in achieving its strategic initiatives which in the past year included a major transition of her current employer’s business model.

Elena has taken an active role in the SHRM affiliated chapter HRAGC. She became a member of the Membership Committee immediately and transitioned to the Chair of the committee shortly thereafter. For nine years (2014-2023), she served as a board member- progressing from Director to Vice President, President, and Past President. She has been an active member of the Leadership Development Committee focusing on recruiting, training, and cultivating committee, board, and future leaders of the organization. During her tenure as President, HRAGC was recognized with PLATINUM Chapter status as well as SHRM Foundation Chapter Champion. In her capacity as Past President, Elena also served on the Granite State HR Council, taking an active role in support of the council’s initiatives and being liaison to HRAGC, bringing back information and knowledge to the chapter.

Elena demonstrates as unyielding commitment and provides extraordinary service to HRAGC at every level on an ongoing basis. She continues to serve HRAGC as our expert on all technology needs. She’s an active member of her community and a staunch supporter of HRAGC and SHRM throughout NH. Elena exemplifies what we all aspire to be professionally. She is most worthy of this recognition. Elena is a Living Legend and is our 2023 League of Legends Honoree.