This week, we sat down with Stephanie Branham, a cornerstone of our HR community and a familiar face to many in the Mid-Cities HR Association. You can read the Q&A below but there is a video at the end.  We’ve kept the transcript close to the vest so you can hear Stephanie’s real voice and the great back-and-forth between her and our interviewer, Kimer Moore 

Kimer Moore: So, how did you get into the HR field?

Stephanie Branham: Well, as I think most people can say, you fall into it. It wasn't necessarily something I knew that I was going to do. When I was going to start college, I thought I was going to be a psychologist. That was my plan. Right out of high school, though, I went to a subcontractor electrical company, and there they put me in their personnel department. I got to do employee folders, and I was a lot better with Spanish at that time, so I was also their translator then, too, for the I-9 forms. That was pretty fun!

Kimer Moore: And you stayed in that world?

Stephanie Branham: After that, I went to college, got my psych degree, and worked for a counseling office—and was like, "I don't think this is for me." My senior year of college, I started working at a medical company. They hired me part-time for a few months, and then after college, I stayed there the next 20 years doing their HR. I was only gonna work till I graduated, and I stayed! It was great. I got to learn things more hands-on, but that's all I knew. I only knew HR from that perspective.

Kimer Moore: I know your history a little bit with volunteering, but it kind of overlaps with your career, too. How did you get into volunteering and how did that bring you to the Mid-Cities area?

Stephanie Branham: So, a lot of it stems back to you! When I was looking for some outside assistance—learning something outside of the company—I only knew HR from that one perspective. I found SHRM, reached out, and applied for a scholarship because I heard there was going to be a SHRM-SCP test coming out.

Kimer Moore: Hey, let me back you up. Weren't you volunteering somewhere else first?

Stephanie Branham: Oh, I just got invited to everything at the same time! I had no idea SHRM existed, I didn't know there were local chapters. I’ve always volunteered, but it wasn't HR-related at that time. I was in Temple, so I first went to the CenTex board. I was just going to be a member, but I was on the board within two months! I met you, I met Dena, I met a lot of people that are like family now. You were very welcoming. I thought, "Well, I'm not in these high roles yet, I don't even know what I'm doing," but everybody there was just like, "No, you belong."

Kimer Moore: You recently won Volunteer Leader of the Year for Texas SHRM last year, in 2025. Congratulations to you on that! How did that make you feel when you found out?

Stephanie Branham: I mean, it was amazing that I had so many people vote for me. I'm doing this not for my own award or anything. I just want to make sure that I'm volunteering and giving back to everybody that's given to me, and shown me that there is more out there and that this is where you belong.

Kimer Moore: What are some interesting books or podcasts you’re into?

Stephanie Branham: I have some shameless plugs! If anybody has not read The Follower Effect or anything by Tony Bridwell, those are amazing. I fangirl in my own HR community! The Find Your Lane series by Bruce Waller, the books and the podcast. Kevin Dawson, who's on our board, he has On Tap and Leaders and Loggers. And Good Morning HR by Mike Coffey is the best. I could listen to that all the time.

Kimer Moore: I understand there's a book you wrote, too?

Stephanie Branham: Mine's not in that same genre, but I did write a grammar book for children on... just how to use punctuation correctly! I do feel like that's something that's lacking now. It's something you can always control. If you leave a comma out, the entire situation of what you're talking about could be different. I just wanted to put that back in the world.

Kimer Moore: You’re constantly doing something above and beyond. What is next for you?

Stephanie Branham: Well, I... according to ChatGPT, it said that I have more degrees and certifications than friends! It's not true, but it was trying to roast me. But I do like school, I don't know how to stop. I am currently in a Master of Jurisprudence for Labor and Employment Law through Tulane. I graduate in May. It'll be my third graduation since the end of 2022! But then after that, I'm starting my JD. I would like to take all of this HR experience and be an employment attorney and continue to fight for what needs to be correct.

Kimer Moore: What's the best advice you can give to our members?

Stephanie Branham: What I realized when I became a new member is I felt like, "Okay, well, I don't have what these other people have." I kept seeing a different picture of me than someone else does. What everybody needs to know is that we see you. We’ve all been in that same spot. HR is not transactional anymore; it's not personnel anymore. We're all learning together. Having this platform where you can bounce ideas—I got that from you, you say "bounce ideas" a lot!—just a place where you're included.

Just for Fun: Thrillers, Menageries, and Dr. Pepper

Kimer Moore: What story genre do you enjoy most?

Stephanie Branham: I do like thriller books. Freida McFadden, I've read all of hers! Movies, I really like ones about inclusion, like Remember the Titans and Coach Carter. I like seeing change happening. I want everybody happy!

Kimer Moore: Do you have any pets?

Stephanie Branham: I'm getting a new one today! We have three cats, two leopard geckos, and two axolotls.

Kimer Moore: Wait, axolotls? The little sea creatures?

Stephanie Branham: Yes! They are the best pet that you didn't know you needed. They just want cold water and they're good. And coming home with me today is a baby tarantula!

Kimer Moore: What is your favorite eatery?

Stephanie Branham: I don't go out to eat too much—I keep my schedule full somehow—but I do like Mexican food. The little hole-in-the-wall authentic places. If you want a fun fact: I have never lost a hot sauce or pepper challenge before!

Kimer Moore: And the final question: What is with the Dr. Pepper?

Stephanie Branham: Even though I've lived in a lot of states, Dr. Pepper and I were both born in Waco! I’ve been to the museum since it opened. My kids went to Dr. Pepper camp; they got to learn how to be soda jerks. My picture in my yearbook is me holding a Dr. Pepper! I don't think there is a bigger fan. There's only two people that know the 23 flavors, and I am trying to convince them that they need a backup. I'll be there one day!