Huron native enters elite company

HURON — Dr. Megan Leasher, a Huron native, recently received an induction into the Forbes Human Resources Council. It's an exclusive community of the most respected people from her field, but it's only one of her many accomplishments. After graduating from Huron High School in 1997, she received two postsecondary degrees: a bachelor's from Kent State and her doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology from Wright State University. She earned the second diploma after focusing her studies on how to make workplaces more successful, something she's truly passionate about. Leasher today works for a company called Talent Plus. Talent Plus is a consulting firm that identifies the strengths and weaknesses within a company's workforce, then provides assistance to make the company work and hire better. Talent Plus is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. As the company's chief solutions strategist, she helps to create solutions for clients looking to hire qualified people. Leasher also has a dual role: the company's external ambassador in assessment science, meaning she often represents Talent Plus to customers and advisers. Throughout her career, she's received numerous awards for her work. Among the more meaningful awards: being named a "Rising Star'' by Human Resources Executive Magazine. Each year, only the five most promising up-and-comers in the human resources field are selected. "It felt good to be recognized as up and coming," Leasher said. "A lot of awards are about being at the top, and it meant a lot to be recognized as someone who is on their way." Being accepted into the Forbes Human Resources Council is another massive accomplishment for Leasher. The council is selective and all who want to join are subjected to a lengthy vetting process, ensuring that the members of the council are the best human resources have to offer. On the council, Leasher can connect with other respected leaders in the human resources field, share professional insights in Forbes.com articles and can contribute to question-and-answer panels. "I wanted to be on it because Forbes is a leading provider in news and business. It's a great resource for businesspeople," Leasher said. For her, it's great "being on a council that is all about human resources and getting to know people who are human resources professionals." Although Leasher's work has taken her away from her hometown, she fondly remembers her time in Huron. She credits the area with teaching her plenty about business and existing in a workplace, calling it "the best foundation" for her current success. "I really learned how you work with other people in a workplace, how you collaborate, how you deal with challenges and setbacks and how to celebrate successes," Leasher said. "I had an opportunity to learn from some big area companies, and I think a lot of people take that for granted." The area "gave me the best foundation on how to be a good business partner." Christine Ehrbar is a good and longtime friend of Leasher's. Both: • Grew up in Huron • Attended Huron Schools • Worked at the same job in high school, housekeepers at Sawmill Creek Resort • Majored in similar disciplines in college • Served on the River Fest Court from 1996 to 1997 Their parents even worked together prior to their first meeting. Ehrbar describes Leasher as being an "older, more responsible sister who excels at everything she sets out to do." Always ambitious and hardworking, Ehrbar is not shocked that Leasher is as successful as she is. In fact, Ehrbar teases her friend that, one day, she will be a Nobel Laureate or Time Woman of the Year. "Megan is not one who just settles for the status quo — she strives (and achieves) personal and professional excellence with a lovely blend of confidence, faith and humility," Ehrbar said. "Megan's professional successes have inspired me to be bold with carving out a more intrinsically (and financially) satisfying career path." Along with being smart, driven and great at her job, Leasher is a good friend, offering to fly more than 1,000 miles to comfort Ehrbar in a time of need and surprising her with random care packages, filled with Ohio memorabilia, makeup and other goods. "Megan can speak to the construct of talent because she is talent," Ehrbar said. " Megan embodies the trifecta of passion for people, the workplace and data/science."