MIA's Coretta Baker puts the human first in HR

As a Human Resources senior specialist with Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD), Coretta Baker interacts with almost every one of her 1,400 co-workers in some way or another. Coretta is the helpful voice behind countless emails and phone calls that guides airport employees through Miami-Dade County’s Family Leave of Absence (FMLA) and Leave of Absence (LOA) policies and procedures.

"Caring and assisting people comes naturally to me," said Coretta. "I really believe that you can’t take humanity out of human resources."

Coretta's work usually stays behind the scenes, but when she went above and beyond to help prepare an employee for the birth of his child in another country, the new father wanted to make sure that Coretta’s kindness and compassion did not go unnoticed.

Last fall, Dennys Gonzalez, a senior property manager at MDAD, emailed Coretta to start the process of requesting parental leave before the birth of his daughter in Panama. On top of completing all the necessary personnel forms and navigating the approval process, Dennys was hurriedly adjusting his travel arrangements when he found out baby Elizabeth would be born sooner than expected.

"Coretta and I had never met in person, but she suddenly became my guardian angel who graciously and patiently walked me through the process during a very stressful time for my family," said Dennys. "Coretta was efficient, responsive, knowledgeable, assertive and, above all, she maintained her sense of humanity while still complying with all the HR policies."

After many years of trying to have children, Dennys and his partner joyfully welcomed Elizabeth Marie Gonzalez to their family and are making the adjustment to parenthood (and less sleep), thanks to Dennys’ new guardian angel.

"Witnessing first-hand what my job can do and seeing the results materialize for coworkers like Dennys is one of the biggest satisfactions in my life," said Coretta. "We all face various challenges and go through different emotions from one day to the next. I know that sometimes dealing with human resource matters can be challenging and stressful, which is why I make it my priority to remain positive and helpful to others, whatever their circumstances are."

• Coretta Baker - Employee Appreciation Day 2022