A STEP Towards Sustainable HR: Olena Derkach Champions the Power of the People-First Approach

The award-winning HR leader unveils her original STEP methodology—placing employee mental health and well-being at the heart of business strategy to foster thriving, future-ready workplaces.

In March 2025, hundreds of forward-thinking leaders gathered in Miami for the Cases&Faces International Conference and Award, an annual event spotlighting innovation in corporate culture, leadership, and business excellence. A resounding theme emerged across sessions and panels: the transformative value of a people-first approach in Human Resources. At the forefront of this conversation was Olena Derkach, a certified HR expert, author of an original HR methodology, and HR leader at Trailblazers Life Choices Inc..

With over a decade of industry experience and dual certifications (CPHR and SHRM-SCP), Olena Derkach served on the prestigious jury board of the Cases&Faces Awards. She observed a clear trend among this year’s finalists: employee well-being and mental health have become central pillars of business success.

“The entries this year highlight the growing trend of supporting employee well-being and mental health as a cornerstone component of success,” shared Derkach.

But while the rhetoric around wellness grows louder, many companies still struggle to turn intentions into impactful action. Derkach’s solution to this challenge is her original STEP methodology, a structured, scalable framework that embeds mental health deeply into HR strategy.

Breaking Down the STEP Methodology

The STEP model is designed to offer clarity and direction for businesses genuinely seeking to nurture mental wellness in the workplace:

• S – Strategy: Begin by assessing the current mental health climate within the organization. This step identifies gaps and defines strategic goals for improvement.
• T – Training: Equip leaders and employees with knowledge through education, workshops, and resources. Awareness and destigmatization are key.
• E – Engagement: Foster consistent, transparent communication across all levels and, where needed, involve external mental health professionals.
• P – Prevention: Focus on proactive measures like promoting work-life balance and early detection of burnout to create resilient, sustainable 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 Derkach.

Driving Results at Trailblazers Life Choices Inc.

As the HR Manager at Trailblazers Life Choices Inc., Olena Derkach transformed theory into tangible impact. She built the HR department from the ground up, streamlining hiring and embedding wellness initiatives into the core of the company’s culture. Programs like the Mental Health at Workplace Initiative and the Walking Club for Mental Health not only resonated with employees but produced measurable results:

• 30% reduction in hiring time
• 20% increase in employee retention
• Marked improvements in engagement and productivity

This practical success speaks volumes about the power of a people-first approach—not just as a feel-good strategy, but as a business imperative.

A Recognized Global Voice in HR Excellence

Olena Derkach’s work has garnered international recognition. In 2024, she was awarded the Order of Queen Anna “Honor of the Homeland”, a distinguished accolade celebrating her leadership in mental health and workplace well-being. She’s led HR operations for organizations with over 300 employees, advising on leadership transitions, conflict resolution, and culture reform.

Beyond corporate walls, she continues to share her insights through workshops, consulting sessions, and internal training programs, helping other leaders adopt meaningful mental health strategies.

“Companies should understand that investing in employees’ mental health is beneficial for all parties,” Derkach notes. “If the employees feel that the company cares about their well-being, they respond with better performance, loyalty, and overall productivity.”

Redefining the Future of Work

As the global workforce continues to evolve, Derkach’s STEP framework offers more than a guideline—it represents a cultural shift. The workplace of the future prioritizes people not just as resources, but as human beings whose well-being drives performance, innovation, and long-term success.

In a time when buzzwords dominate corporate culture, Olena Derkach’s approach cuts through the noise with clarity, compassion, and measurable change. For organizations ready to embrace sustainable growth, the message is clear: start with your people—and take the STEP forward.