Brightmine HR Scholarship 2025 winners revealed

By Clare Moore, Brightmine Communications Manager

Brightmine has announced the winners of its first HR Scholarship programme.

Launched earlier this year, the Brightmine HR Scholarship was created to support and empower the next generation of HR leaders looking to further develop their knowledge and expertise.

Brightmine HR Scholarship 2025 winners list

The following is a complete list of the Brightmine HR scholarship 2025 winners in alphabetical order:

• Annette Cobos
• Bailey Cummins
• Sydney Fisher
• Nicole Kohers
• Julia Martinez
• Arin McHugh
• Eliza Morgan
• Teresa Morgan
• Paula Nolan
• Medha Patil

Each of the winners receives a grant of £1,000 and access to our industry-leading compliance tool, the Brightmine HR & Compliance Centre, for the duration of their studies.

Judging panel

The judging panel was made up of several senior Brightmine individuals alongside guest judge, Sheila Thomas, MS-HR Collaborative Innovative HR Executive.

Victoria Burrows, UK Head of Content at Brightmine and a judge of the awards said:

Brightmine HR Scholarship application process

To be considered for a scholarship, each candidate demonstrated a level of academic achievement, submitted a 750–1000-word essay on how they see the role of HR changing in the next three to five years and a two-minute video on what inspired them to pursue a career in HR.

Shared perspectives

Across all the essays reviewed, several common themes emerged that reflect shared perspectives on the future of human resources (HR) over the next three to five years:

• HR is undergoing a major transformation—from a reactive, administrative function to a strategic, proactive force in business. Essays highlighted HR’s growing role in decision-making, culture shaping, and organisational development.
• AI is emerging as a powerful tool for automating routine tasks, though ethical concerns and the need for human oversight remain critical. Data-driven decision-making is becoming essential, with HR professionals expected to embrace analytics to gain executive influence.
• Priorities like employee well-being, DEIB, and flexible work are reshaping workplace culture, especially under Gen Z’s influence. Meanwhile, remote work is here to stay, and continuous learning is vital for HR to lead through change and disruption.

Personal journeys into HR

Many applicants shared personal stories in their video submissions, revealing how experiences with either poor or inspiring HR practices motivated their career choice. A strong theme was a desire to help others and foster inclusive, positive workplace cultures. For many, the scholarship represents both financial relief and recognition of their resilience as they balance work, family, and education.

Learn more about the Brightmine HR Scholarship.