A STEP Towards a Sustainable HR: Olena Derkach Reveals the Benefits of the People-First Approach

An HR expert holding both the CPHR and SHRM-SCP designations and an author of an original HR methodology explains why the employees’ well-being is essential for any business and how organizations can thrive by putting people at the center of their strategy. 

In March 2025, Cases&Faces International Conference and Award in Miami gathered hundreds of participants to celebrate breakthrough achievements in corporate culture, leadership, and business innovation. Talent development and building productive teams became recurring topics for many speakers, highlighting the growing importance of the people-first approach in HR. Olena Derkach, an HR professional with over a decade of experience, and an HR leader at Trailblazers Life Choices Inc., is one of the people at the heart of this shift. She participated in the jury board of the Cases&Faces Awards, which includes the most prominent and influential experts of the industry, determining the best achievements in Human Resources. “The entries this year highlight the growing trend of supporting employee well-being and mental health as a cornerstone component of success,” comments Olena Derkach. She put this approach into practice by creating her original STEP methodology, which provides a comprehensive framework for integrating mental health into HR strategy.

While the people-first approach, focused on the employees being healthy and present, provides tangible benefits, such as higher engagement, team retention, and increased performance, implementing it across an organization can pose a complex challenge. In some companies, wellness initiatives do not go beyond the surface level, remaining a mere formality and failing to provide employees with real support. Reactive policies that attempt to solve existing issues instead of preventing them, fragmented communication, and lack of clear frameworks are among the everyday struggles that prevent companies from implementing efficient HR strategies.

This is where Olena Derkach’s unique STEP methodology comes in, providing organizations with a practical model that helps them support employees’ well-being at every level. Each letter in the name of the methodology illustrates a particular aspect. “S” stands for Strategy, namely analyzing the current mental health landscape in the organization and determining key areas to improve. Next comes “T” for training, emphasizing the importance of educating managers and employees. Mental health awareness and removing the stigma related to mental health issues are essential for fostering a supportive environment. “E” designates Engagement. This principle highlights the crucial role of communication. It is not limited to the organization’s employees and management. External mental health experts can be involved in providing additional support. Finally, “P” for Prevention points to the importance of a healthy work-life balance. If mental health issues can be identified in the early stages, it prevents employee burnout and improves workplace cultures.

“These components provide an actionable structure for an organization to follow if they aim to integrate mental health support into their organizational values,” explains Olena Derkach. “It helps to find the balance between multiple aspects of mental health support, finding the approach that will work best for a particular organization and its employees.”

The challenges of implementing the necessary level of mental health support often become especially apparent when an organization undergoes a period of growth and transition. At smaller-scale companies or early-stage startups, an ad hoc approach may seem sufficient, especially with smaller teams creating space for efficient informal communication. However, as an organization grows, to avoid crumbling under its own weight, implementing a systematic, scalable HR framework becomes essential to keep employees motivated.

As an HR Manager, Olena Derkach implemented the approach that helps an organization to overcome this challenge exactly. At Trailblazers Life Choices Inc., Olena has built the HR department from scratch, streamlining recruitment processes and implementing progressive HR strategies. She introduced several initiatives, including the “Mental Health at Workplace Initiative” and the “Walking Club for Mental Health,” to improve workplace culture and create a supportive environment for employees. The implementation of these initiatives brought measurable results, such as improvements in employee engagement and productivity, a 30% reduction in hiring time, and a 20% increase in employee retention.

She also implemented sustainable HR systems at multiple organizations, overseeing HR operations for over 300 employees. Her consultations helped organizations to navigate leadership transitions and refine HR policies, improving their workplace culture. She also consults management on employee engagement and conflict resolution.

In 2024, Olena Derkach was honored with the prestigious Order of Queen Anna “Honor of the Homeland” in recognition of her exceptional leadership in human resources and groundbreaking initiatives to advance mental health in the workplace. This distinguished award celebrates her unwavering commitment to fostering employee well-being, strengthening organizational resilience, and cultivating inclusive, psychologically safe work environments. Her innovative approaches have set a global benchmark for HR excellence, inspiring businesses across industries.

“Companies should understand that investing in employees’ mental health is beneficial for all parties,” explains Olena Derkach. “If the employees feel that the company cares about their well-being, they respond with better performance, loyalty, and overall productivity. If an organization wants to maintain a strong, adaptive, and high-performing workforce, a people-first approach becomes a necessity.”

The methods developed by Olena Derkach have already been adopted by many other professionals and businesses. Olena regularly conducts workshops, internal training programs, and consulting sessions. She finds it important to help the management to find better approaches to employee well-being.

As the global workforce continues to evolve, the emphasis on employee well-being is becoming more than just a trend. Now, it is one of the defining principles of modern HR. The methodology offered by Olena Derkach provides a clear strategy for implementing this approach. Organizations across industries recognize that sustainable success depends on creating environments where employees feel supported, valued, and mentally healthy.

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