The Catapult Employers Association has a strong team of experienced HR advisors who work to support our members every day with information and help to make their workdays easier. In addition to providing guidance, the HR Advice team also facilitates training. They are true multitaskers!
Breni Malpass has been with Catapult as a member of the HR Advice team since 2015. With a background in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MA, UNC Charlotte) and nearly three decades in the HR field, she is the expert you need. Her expertise is drawn from a variety of industries – tech, insurance, and manufacturing.
Breni’s extensive HR career includes roles at DAK Americas, Stanley Black and Decker, and IBM. She’s also had HR roles with Carolinas Healthcare (Atrium Health), The ARC of Mecklenburg County, and Interactive Medical Systems. As an HR advisor, Breni provides expert guidance for Catapult’s members on compliance, employee relations, recruiting, benefits, FMLA, and workers’ comp. She ALSO lends her expertise to Catapult’s training and development, focusing on HR topics, which demonstrates her versatility and commitment to the Catapult Employers Association.
I was pleased to interview Breni recently and am so happy to share more with you about who she is, what she does, and why she does it.
Carlie: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Breni! Let's start by you telling our members about yourself.
Breni: My passion for human resources began back in college. Before I knew what HR was, I was fascinated by motivational theory. I wanted to know what makes people want to go to work every day and stay. My passion lies with employee relations.
Carlie: What do you do outside of work? What interests you and inspires you?
Breni: I am a lifelong learner. If I could make a career out of going back to school, that is exactly what I would do. I live in Wilmington with my husband and two children (ages 10 and 13). My second favorite thing to do is go to the beach. It is a great way to unwind and recharge.
Carlie: You and I have a lot in common – I love to learn, and I love the beach! So, how did you get into facilitating?
Breni: While in graduate school, I participated in an internship with Carolinas Healthcare’s Learning department. I was able to see the inner workings of developing materials and facilitating for employees. I have been facilitating since 2001. My first class was based on the book “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson.
Carlie: So…how do you prepare for a class? What steps do you take to ensure you are prepared?
Breni: Even if I have taught a class a bunch of times, I always go over the material beforehand. I might have new stories or examples to share, and I like to keep an eye on the schedule so we can make the most of our time together.
Carlie: You clearly want your learners to succeed. How do you make sure they get the most out of their experience?
Breni: I like to incorporate participation within the class to best take advantage of the participants’ personal experiences. For me, the benefit of participating in a live or virtual class is interaction with peers. Everyone comes with their own story, experiences, backgrounds, etc. It is an opportunity to learn from others.
Carlie: How do you handle unexpected situations during class?
Breni: Roll with the punches! I was facilitating an Interviewing for Success class for a local public utility company. There is a YouTube video embedded in the slides. No matter what I did, I could not get it to play. We even got the member’s onsite IT to assist. Turns out they have an impenetrable firewall. So there goes a solid 15-20 minutes out of schedule. Nothing to do but roll on. :)
Carlie: Why do this work? What drew you to it, and what keeps you coming back for more?
Breni: As an HR Advisor at Catapult, I collaborate with members daily on all things HR. It is not all about compliance. Yes, I want to provide guidance that will keep you out of court, but I really enjoy helping members find that balance. Balance between staying compliant while also creating an environment where employees want to go to work every day and stay.
Carlie: Why should organizations send their employees for training and development experiences?
Breni: Have you ever wondered what makes a company truly thrive? Well, it all starts with its people. Professional development helps employees grow their skills, stay motivated, and feel valued. It also improves performance, supports career growth, and helps companies stay competitive by building stronger, more capable teams.
Carlie: What trends or new developments in HR interest you and may challenge our members?
Breni: Gosh. It’s hard to narrow down. One of the most significant trends is the rise of AI and automation in HR processes. While this enhances efficiency, it also raises concerns about maintaining the human touch in human resources. Hybrid work is still popular, and HR teams need to find the right balance between flexibility and fairness, while keeping company culture strong both online and in the office.
Carlie: What are you – and Catapult – doing to help members face these new things? How is HR training being adapted to the future?
Breni: We’re focusing on what HR teams are really dealing with day to day—things like managing hybrid schedules, supporting employee well-being, and keeping up with new tech. Catapult’s training is becoming more hands-on and flexible, with real examples and tools people can actually use on the job. We’re also creating more chances for HR staff to learn from each other, share what’s working, and build confidence in handling change.
Carlie: Thank you, Breni, spending time with me and Catapult members. Our members rely on expertise, experience, and people in our organization – like you!
Next Month's Interview
Every month, I sit down with a member of the Catapult Employers Association team to spotlight the incredible people behind our services. From HR advisors to training professionals, this series highlights their unique journeys, expertise, and the meaningful work they do to support our members every day. Have a question you’d like me to ask in a future interview? Drop it in the comments below.
Next Month: Tracy Mambrino, Learning Partner, will be the interviewee. With 30 years of training and development experience, she’ll have plenty of interesting stories to share and a perspective worth reading about.