Jill Zappitelli Waterloo, ON Obituary, Death– H2R Human Resources President and CEO, Jill Zappitelli, has died on May 14, 2025. A respected voice in Canadian HR, Jill was a trailblazer whose influence reached far beyond the company she founded.
With over 20 years of experience in the field, Jill was widely recognized as one of the region’s most impactful HR professionals. Her impressive career included senior roles at Sun Life Financial, BlackBerry, Trellis Mental Health, and Grand River Personnel. In each role, she combined strategic insight with human-centered leadership, earning admiration and trust across the business community.
In 2021, Jill was named “Woman of the Year – Entrepreneur” by Rogers/KW Oktoberfest, a prestigious honor acknowledging her entrepreneurial success and service to her community. She founded H2R with a mission: to deliver high-quality, flexible HR support for small and medium-sized businesses through a part-time or “fractional” model—a pioneering approach in the industry.
H2R’s guiding principle, “From Hiring to Retiring, and everything in between,” embodied Jill’s holistic view of employee care. Under her leadership, the firm grew into a trusted partner for organizations navigating recruitment, compliance, talent development, and organizational change.
Leading a team of 30 professionals—whom she affectionately called “The Best Team Ever”—Jill nurtured a culture grounded in empathy, integrity, and mentorship. Her dedication to developing leaders internally became a hallmark of H2R’s success.
Jill’s academic foundation included a Certificate in Human Resources and a Business Administration Management Diploma from Conestoga College. She was a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) and a former board member of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).
“Jill was the soul of H2R,” said Crystal Dunlop, who will now lead the company as CEO. “She built this organization with purpose and care. We are committed to continuing her work and honoring the standard of excellence she instilled in us.”
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jill was a loving mother to two teenage sons and a passionate advocate for workplace well-being and inclusivity. Her warmth, authenticity, and visionary leadership will be deeply missed by colleagues, clients, and the broader HR community.
Funeral details and opportunities to honor Jill’s memory will be shared shortly. H2R extends heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support during this time.
Jill Zappitelli’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched, the leaders she mentored, and the company she built with passion and purpose.