Change comes fast in the dynamic and demanding private equity industry. Laura McLand faced this reality 20 years ago when she, an executive assistant to the president and CEO of an investment firm, was suddenly tasked with processing the company's payroll.
"It was a deer-in-the-headlights moment," said McLand, now vice president of human resources at Sun Holdings, the second-largest franchise organization in the U.S. "At that time, my experience in payroll was non-existent. The CEO had much more confidence than I did that I could learn the process in time for the next payroll."
Her decision to accept the challenge rather than resist the responsibility changed her career. "That decision spearheaded my love for human resources, and I never looked back," she said.
But McLand needed to gain the HR skills to succeed.
She began searching for high-quality instruction that would fit within her busy schedule and found the Compensation and Benefits certificate program developed by faculty at the Cornell ILR School. McLand engaged in live sessions and course projects with professionals worldwide and studied late into the evening while her family slept - opportunities distinctively offered by eCornell.
"I had classmates in Spain and Italy who shared their employment experiences and gave me candid feedback on the differences between the U.S. and other countries," she said. "Back then, taking courses remotely wasn't as prevalent, so this provided a unique experience that I truly appreciate every day."
Success in the program led to expanded duties managing benefits for her company. This encouraged McLand to gain an additional Cornell credential in human resource studies, which helped her earn a professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) on her first attempt. More importantly, she says, Cornell's programs gave her confidence that she could excel in the field.
Traveling a non-traditional path
There was a time when McLand dreamed of becoming a flight attendant or an attorney. Since she did not meet the airline height requirements, she started college with a goal to pursue a law career.
Forty years later - after marrying her high-school sweetheart, raising her three children, working in administrative roles and attending college classes on nights and weekends - she instead earned a bachelor's degree with minors in human resource development and organizational leadership, and later a master's degree in business administration, from Texas Tech University.
"My children and grandchildren cheered [for me] from the same bleachers in Lubbock, Texas, where I sat years ago when my children walked the stage," McLand said.
Equipped with higher education and tools from her certificate programs, she launched her HR career, progressing through increasingly senior roles at organizations in staffing, printing, dining and healthcare - plus another private equity company. She also earned the HR Certification Institute's Professional in Human Resources certification.
"I have continually looked for roles that allow me to utilize my knowledge and experience while enabling me to learn new aspects of human resources that I may not have done previously," McLand said. "I decided to take a role at a nationwide firm where I could supervise employees and help with their growth and development. When COVID-19 happened, we all moved to remote status, which gave me a new perspective in the workforce."
In a different position, she developed a recruiting team and implemented a company-wide learning and development program. Currently, as a vice president at Sun Holdings, she manages all aspects of human resources: benefits, recruiting, payroll and talent development with her team of more than 20 employees.
McLand (near center) with 2025 Employee Benefits & Total Rewards Summit attendees.
Helping other professionals find their way
McLand's journey from executive assistant to top HR executive was slow and steady, filled with occasions to acquire fresh skills and implement new strategies, programs and software. However, leadership, she says, is a greater responsibility to give people the "motivation to grow, inspiration to succeed and the passion to see their potential." She works to make the most significant impact on her people as a mentor - someone who was once challenged to take a chance on herself.
"People often decline to accept additional responsibilities because they don't want the workload. My advice is always to take it as an opportunity to learn something new. If someone has seen the possibility that you can absorb more responsibilities, take the initiative as a compliment," she said. "You don't know what that opportunity will bring, and the positive changes that can occur when we go beyond what is expected."
Three employees on McLand's team are currently attending college in the evenings, just as she did, to obtain their human resources-related degrees. She lends real-world commentary to enhance their education, offering the same kind of practical insights she gained in her Cornell certificate programs.
"Someone once believed in me, and I try to pay it forward," McLand said. "Everyone will experience ups and downs. I try to share my knowledge and experience as motivation that anything can be accomplished with enough time and tenacity to make it a reality."
