Lessons learned at Mary Washington have served James Llewellyn well in his human resources career and helped him make a positive impact on others.
“The professors were so engaging and fun; learning from them was truly a gift,” said Llewellyn, who credits psychology faculty, including retired professors Debra Steckler and Steve Hampton and the late Topher Bill, as strong positive influences on his college experience.
The exceptional liberal arts education Llewellyn received from Mary Washington is why he continues to give back to his alma mater. Now a seasoned human-resources professional, he applies psychology in his work in the private sector, and he’s happy to share his experience and advice with psychology majors – in 2019 he was the Department of Psychological Sciences’ graduate-in-residence.
Llewellyn and his wife, Deborah, have established a merit scholarship for psychology majors and contribute annually to the Fund for Mary Washington.
“We are proud to help Mary Washington provide the highest quality, most affordable education possible,” said Llewellyn, who also volunteered with annual giving campaigns as a college student.
And he serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors as vice president of finance and alumni giving.
After graduating with honors in 1987, Llewellyn pursued a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Old Dominion University. Early in his career, he taught human resources graduate courses for several years while working in the corporate world. In 2012, he joined Masonite International Corp., a global door manufacturer based in Tampa, Florida.
As Masonite’s vice president of global total rewards, Llewellyn manages a team of 25 that handles executive compensation, incentive plans, benefit plans, human resources systems, and payroll for employees throughout North America and worldwide. His team also works with vendors and supports front-line human resources staff. He’s found that his background in psychology has been incredibly beneficial in the field of human resources.
“How humans communicate, what creates engagement and inclusion, what drives motivation to perform beyond expectations on the job … all of these concepts are core to psychology,” Llewellyn said.
Through it all, he credits his college education, especially the writing and research skills he now uses every day.
“Whether I’m presenting to senior executives, facilitating a training course, or helping our manufacturing workers understand employee benefits programs, Mary Washington has always guided me,” he said.
In his profession, Llewellyn has focused on helping leaders motivate employees to excel at their jobs and reach their goals. It’s no wonder he’s chosen to do the same for UMW students and alumni. He encourages them to reflect upon what Mary Washington has given them and how they can give back to the university and future Eagles.
“Find a way to make a positive impact in life,” Llewellyn said. “Do this through your work or with your resources – time and money – and start by being charitable with organizations that are meaningful to you. Every dollar and every hour you give can help make a difference in others’ lives.”
– Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04