Luke Andersen, HR & Payroll Coordinator, SustainableHR PEO Microbakery owner, Waffle Daddy Madison
What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job?
In HR, people often reach out when they are at their most frustrated, confused or disappointed, and simple questions rarely have simple answers. The real challenge is finding a compliant simple solution for a highly specific situation without sacrificing fast, empathetic customer service. On the flip side, nothing is more rewarding than hearing an employee say they finally understand a complex system and feel empowered to advocate for themselves.
Who do you look up to or admire in business?
I have to shout out Tracey Caradine (Second Harvest Foodbank), Erich George (Career Coordinates) and Tina Updike (Dept. of Administration). They each exemplify honest, transparent leadership in their own unique ways, and they’ve made a phenomenal difference in the greater Madison community.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
Honestly? Right now feels pretty incredible. I started my role at SustainableHR PEO in February, and I get to support our clients’ employees every single day. I feel trusted to approach challenges in a way that makes sense to me, while collaborating with my amazing colleagues to keep growing as a professional. Plus, the work-life balance has given me the bandwidth to launch my sourdough microbakery, Waffle Daddy. Baking has been a lifelong passion.
Do you have any secret talents or abilities?
Most of my background is in food and restaurants, and I actually managed a pizza place in my early 20s. Launching Waffle Daddy has been a total full circle moment from those days. I’m pulling from that early food service experience, but this time, I get to put my own stamp on every single decision. Beyond baking, I’m also a bit “woo-woo.” In my free time, I love reading tarot cards for friends and coworkers, collecting crystals and trading stories about the supernatural or cosmic coincidences.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I’ve been obsessed with horror movies since I was a kid (sorry, Mom!). There is nothing better than a dark, stormy night paired with a rewatch of “Halloween.” I’m also a massive gaming nerd. You can find me playing video games, hosting board game nights or deep in a campaign with my Dungeons & Dragons group.
