Outstanding Women in Business: Landry combines passions for law and HR

Photo | Matt Wright Betsy R. Landry

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By Sloane M. Perron

Betsy Landry, has seen many changes in the human resources field throughout her 30 year career at law firm Mirick O’Connell. However, even with all of her experience, the COVID pandemic changed workplaces in ways no one anticipated.

“The rate of change over the last 18 months has been unlike anything I have ever seen, and I just find it fascinating as to what things are going to look like on a going-forward basis; and to be able to be a part of that is incredibly exciting to me,” Landry said.

Landry became director of HR at Mirick O’Connell in 2008, but she was once destined to become a lawyer.

Betsy R. Landry, Mirick O'Connell

“She is the most polished, smart, funny, humble, and kind person I have ever worked with. I will never get this again in my career,” said Diane Power, executive director of Mirick O’Connell.

In college, Landry studied law while working a retail job. One day, the retail store offered Landry HR responsibilities, which would ultimately become a turning point in her career. She instantly loved working in that field and took HR classes before accepting her first HR job at a software company. Through networking, Landry secured an entry-level job at Mirick and worked her way up.

“I get the best of both worlds by being in human resources at a law firm because I get to marry the interest I have in HR with the interest I have in the law,” she said.

Technological advancements, stronger data analysis, and more consideration about workforce needs, are just a few improvements Landry has seen in HR throughout the years. She is especially pleased to see the industry take diversity, equity, and inclusion more seriously. One of her greatest professional achievements is Mirick’s own DE&I initiative.

Landry received her DE&I in the workplace certificate from the University of South Florida Corporate Training and Professional Education program and then proceeded to spearhead Mirick’s own DE&I committee. She accepted the role of vice president of diversity at the trade group Association of Legal Administrators chapter in Boston.

Landry credits her success to supportive colleagues who have become family. This teamwork allowed the firm to quickly adopt new workplace models during the lockdowns.

“We were working through how people were best able to serve the clients’ needs while they were working remote,” she said.

Landry has been a member of Human Resources Association Management of Central Mass. for 25 years and served as president before joining its board.

Landry remains family-focused and is proud of raising two daughters who are independent, confident, and kind.

Landry’s father, Paul Rogers, was her greatest mentor. Rogers was a Telegram & Gazette columnist who gained local celebrity for his gardening series “Roots of Wisdom” and his radio broadcast “Gardener’s Calendar” on WTAG before passing away in 2019.

“I learned from him that being positive is a choice you make every day. It’s not always easy, and I’m certainly not always successful, but I try to focus on gratitude, being in the moment, and viewing the glass as half-full (preferably with coffee or wine),” she said.

Power became Mirick executive director in 2006. Just a month into her new role, Power recognized Landry’s potential and recommended Landry be promoted from supervisor to manager. Landry then was promoted from manager to HR director just two years later.

Power said Landry is a humble woman who never seeks the spotlight. Instead, Landry focuses on her work and effectively balances the needs of the firm with the needs of its 125 employees through initiative solutions and compassionate, common sense approaches.

Recruiting talent is a major role for any HR director, and Power is glad Landry serves as the firm’s first impression when interfacing with the public.

“She is not pushy, or aggressive. She’s just so natural. She’s just so Betsy,” Power said.

Landry plays a pivotal role in the culture of the firm and brings the knowledge she gains from her outside roles and boards back to Mirick. She is sought after for advice and gladly mentors young professionals.

“She is a hidden gem, who is not so hidden now,” Power said.