(INDIANAPOLIS) -- The Indiana Chamber of Commerce today recognized a human resources executive at a leading athletic retailer as the Ogletree Deakins/HR Dimensions 2012 Human Resources Professional of the Year.

Melissa Greenwell, senior vice president of human resources at Indianapolis-based the Finish Line, Inc., was honored during the 48th Annual Human Resources Conference & Expo at the Indianapolis Marriott East. Also recognized at the luncheon and receiving the Award of Excellence were Sheriee Ladd from IU Health, Robert Hummel from Citizens Energy Group and Nora Bammann from The Kroger Company.

The HR Professional of the Year award is given annually to a human resources professional that provides lasting impact through the implementation of best practices, organization design and effectiveness, and accomplishment of the company's strategic direction.

Greenwell joined Finish Line in 2008. She directs all human resource functions for the company. As a member of the executive team, Greenwell has taken the helm of change management in the organization. She has implemented a "pay for performance" methodology, including redesigning incentive plans to reward high performers; redesigned the benefits programs to invest in programs most important to employees; implemented the company's first employee engagement survey and created an action plan to address concerns and issues; and established "Hand2Hand," which financially assists employees in times of need through employee and company contributions.

She also leads the company's corporate social responsibility initiatives, including supporting non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Indy 500 Festival, Gleaners Food Bank and Back on My Feet (a non-profit group that helps homeless individuals gain self-esteem and life skills through the discipline of running).

In addition, Greenwell serves on a number of community boards and foundations, including the Finish Line Youth Foundation, Special Olympics Indiana, the Little Red Door Cancer Agency and the Society for Human Resource Management.

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is the state's largest broad-based business advocacy and information organization, representing nearly 5,000 member companies that employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.