2022 C-Suite Awards: Large company | Nancy Contillo, Thielsch Engineering Inc. chief human resources officer
For more than 30 years, Nancy Contillo has built a reputation as a leader in human resources.
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As chief human resources officer at Thielsch Engineering Inc. in Cranston, she oversees the recruitment and development of more than 600 employees at the nearly 40-year-old firm.
While focused on the the company’s success, Contillo takes an approach that puts the employee first. She has an uncanny ability to assess the needs of each staff member while inspiring them to deliver their best.
“When you give, you get,” she said. “We want to measure output, which we know increases when we give employees what they need to be successful.”
Contillo says she has always been fortunate to work in an environment that respects the need for balancing work and home, especially in the early years of her career when she was raising her children and handling a full-time job.
Vincent Graziano, Thielsch CEO and president, praises Contillo’s ability to engage employees.
“She combines her extraordinary subject matter knowledge with a deep concern for the well-being of our staff,” he said. “This maximizes the value she brings to individuals and their families, as well as to the company as a whole.”
Serving as much more than an administrator, Contillo is seen as an adviser to everyone at the company. When a problem arises, she takes 0n the whole situation, facilitating a solution that supports both the individual and the business. She is not afraid to ask the tough questions, especially when it results in getting an answer that works for everyone.
“We explain to our employees that they are owners in the company and that comes with a certain responsibility,” she said. “And they always react by giving us their best work.”
Inclusivity is key to Contillo’s success. She starts by making human resources an open, welcoming place where anyone can feel comfortable sharing their thoughts or concerns.
“Nancy takes a collaborative approach to problem-solving that has certainly served Thielsch and our employees well during some difficult times,” Graziano said. “Her direction of the company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has resulted in a greater level of awareness of Thielsch in the community, and we have substantially increased our hiring from disadvantaged populations during her tenure as a result.”
Employee success starts on day one and Contillo has spearheaded an initiative to ensure that every new hire has a welcoming and enriching experience, the company says. From there, it only gets better as she offers professional and personal encouragement, leading to a nurturing and productive work environment.
In her leadership role, Contillo strives to enhance the offerings for everyone at Thielsch by expanding benefits, adding employee development programs and improving policies. In this way, she increases loyalty and overall satisfaction while building the company’s strong, positive reputation in the community.
“Bringing a highly refined sense of empathy to her position as CHRO sets Nancy apart from others. She is equally comfortable working with a group of new junior employees as she is interacting with our board of directors,” Graziano said. “Her ability to understand the needs and perspectives of others at all levels – and fashion a response that best accommodates those interests – is a prized trait she brings to her team and her daily work at Thielsch. It has helped lead our efforts to further develop and retain a highly engaged group of employee-owners.”
Contillo shares her skills and knowledge through her engagement in other organizations, including as a member of the Northeast Human Resources Association and the Employers Association of the Northeast.
Contillo says she is most proud of achieving her career goals while dedicating time to her children.
“They know that I was there for them, even while I was delivering my best efforts at work,” she said. “That was important for me to demonstrate to them.”
