The Business Record has named Kristi Burma, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Athene, the 2025 Dentons Human Resources Professional of the Year.

The award, launched by the Business Record in 2020, is designed to highlight an outstanding HR professional from Central Iowa for their professional accomplishments and community engagement.

Rona Berinobis, senior vice president of human resources at Athene, nominated Burma for the award.

“Kristi’s legacy is one of redefining human resources as both a strategic driver of business outcomes and a moral compass within organizations,” Berinobis wrote in her nomination. “As the top HR executive for a market-leading company, she has directly contributed to Athene’s growth, shaped its culture and transformed it into one of the most generous organizations in the state. Her influence is deeply felt within Athene and across the community.”

Burma has worked at Athene for 12 years. Before that, she was vice president of human resources at Aviva USA, which Athene acquired in 2013. She now oversees human resources strategy for the 10 Athene locations across the United States, Bermuda, Canada and Japan. She holds a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Iowa.

Burma has stepped into community leadership roles, both individually and through Athene.

She currently serves on the board of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and United Way of Central Iowa.

Since the Athene Charitable Foundation came under Burma’s leadership in 2022, annual giving has increased from a cumulative $3.6 million over a nine-year period to $4 million per year. In 2024, Athene employees volunteered more than 8,500 hours in the community – a 143% increase during Burma’s tenure.

“Under her leadership, Athene has become one of Central Iowa’s most impactful corporate citizens,” Berinobis wrote.

Burma’s vision has also supported some transformative projects in the region. The Athene North Shore Recreation Area at Easter Lake Park opened in May 2024 and is now recognized as the most universally accessible park in the nation. The West Des Moines-based company has also supported the Athene Pedestrian Bridge, which was completed last year, and committed $1 million last year to help fund ChildServe’s Athene Therapy Gym, which will expand the organization’s annual rehabilitation capacity from 60 to 600 children.

“Kristi’s career is marked by achievements that go beyond traditional HR leadership,” Berinobis wrote. “Twice she stepped outside the HR function into business management roles because other functions wanted her to work for them. She took the opportunities and gained insightful experiences that sharpened her ability to position HR as a true business consultant and align people strategy with enterprise needs. By excelling in roles unfamiliar to her, Kristi not only proved her versatility but also developed the resilience and boldness she now coaches in others.”

Burma will receive the award during the Business Record’s virtual Jobs Outlook panel on Wednesday, Oct. 15.