Durham, North Carolina, United States, July 2025 – Michele Fitzsimons has been named Head of Human Resources at Hengst Filtration | North America. In her new role, Michele will lead the HR function, providing strategic direction and hands-on expertise across leadership development, workforce planning, talent management, organizational design, performance management, and employee relations. Her mandate includes aligning HR programs with business objectives, driving organizational transformation, and ensuring the workforce is engaged and future-ready.
Prior to joining Hengst Filtration, Michele worked as a Human Resources Consultant at Catapult Employers Association, where she delivered both strategic and tactical HR consulting services for clients across multiple sectors. She specialized in HR audits, compensation analysis, performance management, and executive compensation package design.
Previously, Michele served as Senior Director, Human Resources at Caidya, where she led an HR team supporting over 400 employees across the Americas, partnering closely with C-suite leaders to guide talent strategy, employee relations, and succession planning during a period of significant transformation and post-merger development.
Before that, Michele was Senior Director, HR Business Partner at Worldwide Clinical Trials. There, she provided strategic HR support to commercial, marketing, and operational teams, mentored global HR partners, and redesigned commission and performance programs to enable company growth.
Michele’s career also includes nearly 21 years at Martin Marietta Materials, where she held several leadership roles including Director of Compensation & HR Systems. She directed teams responsible for compensation, HR technology, and benefits for a workforce of 8,000, and managed HR integrations during multiple acquisitions, as well as led complex restructuring and talent initiatives.
About Hengst Filtration | North America:
Hengst Filtration is a global leader in filtration solutions, dedicated to making the world a cleaner place. With a workforce of more than 3,500 employees at 23 locations worldwide, the company develops innovative filtration products for the automotive, industrial, hydraulic, life science, and health care sectors. The North American division supports this mission by delivering advanced filtration systems that promote sustainability, health, and technology for a wide range of applications.
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