Junior Board Spotlight: Building a Career Through Curiosity, Growth, and Community
For Michaela Ilieva, career growth has never been about following a straight path. Instead, it has been about embracing opportunities, staying curious, and continuously learning.
After earning her bachelor's degree in Human Resources with a minor in Psychology in 2023, Michaela joined Topco as a Talent Acquisition Specialist, where she focused on early-career recruiting, campus partnerships, and managing the company's internship program. Since then, she's continued to grow, first as a Senior HR & Talent Specialist and now as a Senior HR Program Analyst, where she helps optimize HR systems and processes while supporting payroll, benefits, reporting, Workday configuration, and Topco's early-career rotational program.
While her responsibilities have evolved, one thing has remained constant: her passion for helping people succeed.
Finding a Community Through WISE
Michaela's desire to continue learning and connecting with others led her to WISE, where she now serves on the WISE Junior Board of Directors and the Professional Development Committee.
She was drawn to WISE because of its commitment to empowering women while creating meaningful opportunities for networking, mentorship, and professional development within the store brand industry. Through committee involvement and networking events, she has expanded her industry knowledge, built lasting relationships, and strengthened leadership skills that directly benefit her work at Topco.
Beyond the professional benefits, Michaela says WISE has reinforced the value of continuous learning and stepping outside of your comfort zone, lessons that have shaped both her career and personal growth.
The Power of Staying Adaptable
One of the biggest lessons Michaela has learned since entering the private label industry is the importance of adaptability.
The industry is constantly evolving, requiring professionals to embrace change, build strong relationships, and remain open to new perspectives. As someone who transitioned from talent acquisition into HR operations, Michaela has experienced firsthand how growth often comes from taking on unfamiliar challenges.
She credits mentorship, collaboration, and a willingness to learn as key factors that have helped her successfully navigate each new opportunity.
Advice for Emerging Professionals
Having spent much of her career supporting interns, rotational employees, and early-career talent, Michaela has seen what helps young professionals stand out.
Her advice:
• Stay curious and be willing to learn.
• Seek feedback and embrace challenges.
• Take ownership of your work.
• Build relationships across your organization.
• Look beyond your day-to-day responsibilities by volunteering for projects, finding mentors, and participating in professional development opportunities.
According to Michaela, a growth mindset and genuine engagement are qualities that consistently set professionals apart.
Why Every WISE Member Should Join a Committee
When asked what every WISE member should experience, Michaela didn't hesitate: join a committee.
For her, serving on the Professional Development Committee became the perfect entry point into the organization. It allowed her to build meaningful connections, contribute to initiatives that make a difference, and better understand the value of active engagement.
Her biggest takeaway?
"What you put into WISE is truly what you get out of it."
Looking Ahead
As Michaela continues to grow her career, she's focused on expanding her expertise in HR operations while developing into a strategic HR leader. She's passionate about creating efficient, people-centered processes that improve the employee experience and remains especially committed to supporting early-career professionals as they begin building meaningful careers.
Through both her work at Topco and her involvement with WISE, Michaela hopes to continue making an impact by helping others grow, building strong professional communities, and demonstrating that the best career opportunities often come from staying open to change.