Cullen is motivated by helping others

Educator of the Year –
Laura Cullen, JP Cullen

Laura Cullen is the definition of a leader.

Cullen, training and development manager at JP Cullen, has created an atmosphere that allows others to thrive. She has worked tirelessly to revamp the company’s hiring and interview process and — over the last year — tripled her team to better serve internal and external customers.

She has also taken on many human resource responsibilities, including compensation and benefits review and onboarding. Cullen is the executive in charge of JP Cullen’s internship program that employees more than 30 interns each summer.

What does she enjoy most about her job? Cullen said that it’s the opportunity to work with so many different team members within the company.

“Getting to know our new team members during the hiring process and then seeing them develop as a JP Cullen team member is truly rewarding,” she said. “I also get to work with our veteran employees and watch them share their knowledge. I am surrounded by so many talented and smart people who work so hard towards our common goal and mission statement; it is very motivating.”

Cullen has played sports her entire life, so being part of a team and helping her teammates is something she has always enjoyed.

“I take great pride in doing everything I can to provide my teammates the resources they need to reach their individual goals,” she said. “It is awesome to see people accomplish their goals and to be fulfilled with the work they are doing.”

Cullen is always a big believer in giving back to the community and participates in a number of community organizations and nonprofit groups, such as the YMCA of Dane County Board, Rock County Historical Society, Destination Madison and AGC’s She Builds.

She also works closely with JP Cullen’s youth and local apprenticeship programs to continue to attract tradespeople to the construction industry.