A Q&A with Bonusly Superuser: Using Bonusly to Streamline HR and Build Culture

At Bonusly, we’re privileged to work with HR professionals who dedicate their careers to making work better for employees and the people behind them. Their commitment to fostering people-focused environments continually inspires us. Occasionally, we get to dive deeper into their stories, exploring the creative ways they champion Bonusly as a tool for recognition and connection.

In this Q&A, we’re thrilled to spotlight Andrea Rosendin, a leader in internal communications and community who also served as an administrator for Bonusly. Andrea shares her journey, insights, and the innovative ways she leveraged Bonusly to strengthen organizational culture and foster meaningful connections.

Q&A with Bonusly admin Andie Rosendin

Can you share a bit about your career journey and how you came to use Bonusly?

Andie: I didn’t start in HR, but found myself gravitating toward roles that combine communication, people, and process improvement. Over the years, I’ve worked in finance, marketing, and operations, always striving to make workplace transitions smoother for everyone. When our company merged, we needed a way to strengthen our culture and streamline recognition processes. That’s when Bonusly became a key tool. By the time I officially joined the people team in 2021, I’d already seen Bonusly’s impact and was excited to lead its implementation.

HR tools must toe a fine line between automating people processes and preserving a human-centric core. In your experience, how does Bonusly balance automation with a personal touch?

Andie: Bonusly excels at automating time-consuming processes like tracking and rewarding performance, but it never feels impersonal. For example, we implemented a structured approach to custom awards, like vetting charities through platforms like Charity Navigator to ensure meaningful contributions. I also created processes for campaigns that tied recognition to our values, allowing employees to connect their actions with a larger purpose. Bonusly isn’t just a tool—it becomes part of the cultural fabric by making every interaction feel real and intentional.

Can you describe a specific internal company campaign where Bonusly played a transformative role?

Andie: One of my favorite campaigns was during Indigenous Peoples Month. Employees earned Bonusly points by engaging with curated content, like buying books from Indigenous-owned businesses or attending cultural events. These points went toward donations to First Nations charities. The campaign exceeded its goals and prompted amazing learning and participation. Seeing Bonusly drive both education and social impact was truly rewarding.

I love that example! Do you have any other stories of using Bonusly to drive certain team behaviors? 

Andie: Training is notoriously hard to get employees excited about, but Bonusly made a big difference for us. During a major platform migration, we incentivized training participation by offering Bonusly points. We took it further by introducing interactive elements, like Kahoot quizzes, where employees could earn additional points. The combination of rewards and gamification turned a potentially time-consuming process into something employees looked forward to. It was especially effective for driven employees who respond well to competitive and rewarding initiatives.

One thing you've mentioned before is that Bonusly has helped foster community in your remote setup. Can you say a little more about that?

Andie: Bonusly has been invaluable for fostering community in our fully remote setup. After our merger, we revamped our company values and used Bonusly to bring them to life. Employees could recognize their peers for embodying values like “Inspire Joy” or “Boldly Driven,” reinforcing what mattered most to our team. It also became a way to integrate new hires by tying their onboarding experience to these values. Additionally, cross-team recognition helped break silos, showing employees the impact of their work across the company.

I’m sure your recognition feed was always buzzing. That being said, are there any specific pieces of recognition that still stick with you?

Andie: One memorable example was recognizing our finance team during an HRIS system transition. They worked tirelessly to run multiple payroll tests to ensure a seamless rollout, often going unnoticed. Using Bonusly, I highlighted their behind-the-scenes efforts, helping others appreciate their work. Bonusly’s ability to spotlight unsung heroes—like DevOps teams getting paged at 2 a.m.—built respect and gratitude across the entire org. 

Has Bonusly inspired any cultural shifts within your company?

Andie: Absolutely! Bonusly created a positive feedback loop where recognition became seriously contagious. Employees started mirroring the thoughtful recognitions they saw, which uplifted our overall culture. The platform’s flexibility allows teams to develop their own recognition traditions, like customized awards for offsite events. This personalization makes Bonusly feel less like a tool and more like an integral part of how we celebrate together.

How has Bonusly changed your role as an HR leader?

Andie: It’s given me a broader impact. Bonusly enables recognition at scale, allowing more employees to feel valued. It’s not just about celebrating achievements—it’s about building connections and creating psychological safety. I’ve seen how Bonusly elevates the human element at work, making recognition accessible to everyone, regardless of their role or visibility of their work. For me, it’s been a way to foster a sense of belonging while of course, driving performance.

What advice would you give HR leaders considering Bonusly?

Andie: Do it! Especially if you want to build a strong community and create that connection for high performing teams. With Bonusly you help people recognize one another and celebrate; the more you can build that community, the better your work product is. Look, there's always going to be disagreements at work, but you have a stronger base to work from and a psychologically safe space. Bonusly builds that connection tissue and reminds you that these are people, not just colleagues—bringing that human element first to the work. You can celebrate not just the work, but the people behind it in a really lovely way.

If you had to describe Bonusly in two words, what would they be?

Andie: Culture catalyst.

The takeaway

Andie's experiences highlight Bonusly’s transformative role in streamlining HR processes, building culture, and driving meaningful engagement. From amplifying recognition for behind-the-scenes heroes to gamifying training and supporting DEI initiatives, Bonusly’s flexibility and impact shine through. For HR leaders looking to align their people and culture strategies, Andrea’s story is a compelling testament to Bonusly’s ability to foster belonging, inspire excellence, and act as a true, in Andrea’s words, culture catalyst.

If you want to see for yourself, get started today with a Bonusly demo.