We’re introducing you to our passionate team of experts. Today’s featured Deli crew member is our HR Generalist, Kelsie Vert!
MEET KELSIE VERT
Kelsie grew up in Brownstown, MI, only 30 miles southeast of Ann Arbor in the Downriver area of Detroit, where she still lives today. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a double major in Public Relations and Communication. She gained lots of retail experience throughout high school and college at the shopping mall near her home. During her senior year in undergrad she had a public relations internship at the Detroit Zoo — and realized that she was not interested in that kind of work, so she returned to retail work and eventually secured a manager position at Target. “I knew I loved interacting with people, helping solve problems, and training,” Kelsie says, “so when an HR management position opened up, I felt like it would be a good fit.” Kelsie moved on from manager to HR District Trainer where she was responsible for training new-in-role managers throughout the 12 stores in her district, as well as hosting a day-long management orientation workshop for new-in-role managers.
A PASSION FOR TRAINING
After five years at Target, Kelsie decided to move on and expand her career in HR with a new company and she chose us! She’s been working at Zingerman’s for five years now, supporting our staff at the Deli as well as others throughout the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses! She is still passionate about training and serves as co-chair of the Zingerman’s Training Engineers Committee. Two of her favorite things about her job is learning about people and also learning from them. “Everyone we hire into the organization has a different story, a different background, different experiences and knowledge,” says Kelsie. “I really love getting to know our staff, hearing their stories, and learning from them.” Zingerman’s open-book and open-door business has given Kelsie experience she wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere; working closely with managers and owners has given her a new perspective on the joys and challenges of running a business. She has written policies, shared opinions, created proposals, and so much more that has helped her move out of her comfort zone.
“I am really proud of the relationships I have built and the connections I have made. So many people in this organization have impacted me in positive ways and for that, I am forever grateful!”
Kelsie’s goal is to be known for her readiness to help, and to always leave people with a smile. When recommending Deli favorites to her family and friends, she raves about pot pies and hot cocoa. She is especially excited about the Deli vision process and the growth that is to come over the next five years for our business.
GOOD GOLLY, MISS MOLLY!
When Kelsie isn’t working, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She and her husband spend a lot of time with siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. Together they care for their adorable daughter, Molly, and their dog, Grady! Kelsie loves the outdoors, and she and her family visit their family’s cottage in northern MI whenever possible.
5 FUN FACTS
Kelsie has a talent for movie quotes and naming song titles/artists with only a few notes from a song.
Her favorite food memory is getting together with her family every December to make Christmas cookies. It started with her grandparents when she was little and has grown into aunts, uncles, and cousins as well. Everyone brings a different type of cookie to exchange, and then they bake and decorate together.
Her pantry is stocked with cookies, candy, and chocolate at all times.
Her dream meal at the Deli is any of the soups and salads! She loves them all.
If Kelsie had a sandwich named after her, it would be a fancy grilled cheese— Monterey Jack, Cheddar, apple slices, dijon mustard, and onion all grilled on sourdough!
