Andrea Ford Email and Phone Number

This team, HR Governance & Strategic Execution, includes three overall functions: Business Support Services, Governance Oversight and Project/Change Management. As leader and in close alignment with the CHRO and HR Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring all functions are designed and integrated to support stable and effective governance routines that enable streamlined and successful execution of HR strategic initiatives, as well as providing effective logistic administration enabling cohesive delivery to the HR community. Oversees the execution of key planning activities, and serves as key point of contact for strategic HR partners including Corporate Communications, Finance and IT. Finally, responsible for establishing and supporting best practices that can be leveraged by all of HR to manage projects, report status, plan for change and measure success.

As leader of the Talent Programs Center of Excellence (COE), responsible for the global strategy, oversight and delivery of key Talent Management programs and service offerings. Evolve and maintain talent philosophy, design, tools, communication, education, program implementation and integration with other programs, including creating and measuring impact. The role collaborates closely with partners within the broader Talent Management organization, other key HR stakeholder groups and COEs, and business leaders to deliver and consult on Talent Programs.

This Team Lead role has day to day management responsibilities for a small, business-focused team of HR Consulting Function partners for the Shared Services business units. In addition to management responsibilities, as Senior HR Business Partner, I serve as the primary HR relationship manager with the most senior leadership for the Global Services business unit and ensure effective coordination between business clients, HR Consulting Function partners and COEs to strategically deliver HR solutions. I integrate corporate HR strategies and provide HR solutions and support to add value to the business and designated internal clients. I consult with assigned senior managers to interpret and apply corporate human resources programs to the business. Additionally, I participate in the development, implementation and ongoing feedback/modification of HR programs. This role is part of the leadership in the business and is involved in helping drive business decisions by delivering the appropriate HR support.

As Senior HR Business Partner, I serve as the primary HR relationship manager with the most senior leadership for the Global Services business unit and ensure effective coordination between business clients, HR Consulting Function partners and COEs to strategically deliver HR solutions. I integrate corporate HR strategies and provide HR solutions and support to add value to the business and designated internal clients. I consult with assigned senior managers to interpret and apply corporate human resources programs to the business. Additionally, I participate in the development, implementation and ongoing feedback/modification of HR programs. This role is part of the leadership in the business and is involved in helping drive business decisions by delivering the appropriate HR support.

Collaborated with associate dean of administration, finance, facilities, and planning to lead development of strategic plans and best practices to optimize administrative infrastructure in support of teaching and research excellence, and in coordination with Northwestern central offices. Managed operational plans, enhancing customer service to faculty, staff, and students, and maximizing financial, workforce, and space resource utilization. Led units supporting human resources, including position management, employee life cycle and employee relations, business services, contracts, reimbursement, procurement policy, research appointments and visas, and center for centers. Member AFF&P senior leadership team, administrative systems advisory committee (ASAC), employee engagement champions, HR administrators, learning council, and food service contract team.

Established academic operations unit in first consolidated administrative group singularly focused on faculty support. Collaborated with faculty leaders to build and implement innovative and responsive faculty support infrastructure. Supported Kellogg’s faculty development goals and managed day-to-day administrative operations related to staff management, financials, and strategic organizational planning of faculty affairs, research support, case publishing, teaching support, PhD program, Kellogg’s seven academic departments, four strategic initiatives, and research centers. Served as member of dean’s senior leadership team and senior operating team.

Led dean’s office administrative team and all daily operations, including direct management for all staff, budget and financial planning, work-flow priority and management, metric tracking and reporting, and management of annual master calendar and related preparation. Ensured all dean’s office operations aligned to dean’s strategic agenda. Developed and implemented process improvements, best practices, and organizational changes, leading to increased productivity and higher quality. Collaborated on and implemented Kellogg board strategy. Recruited, hired, and trained first manager of board governance. Regularly partnered with dean’s senior team to facilitate projects and timely resolution to dean’s requests and assignments. Served as liaison to several key Kellogg partner groups, including admissions, alumni relations, advancement, special events, communications, and corporate partnerships, to ensure alignment with dean’s priorities and facilitate high-functioning partnership in accomplishing school’s goals.

Served as independent consultant providing businesses with tools, knowledge, and confidence to streamline processes, stabilize organizational structures, build comprehensive partnerships, and launch effective change management strategies. Completed several business analysis projects for local non-profits and served a brief term as director of operations for small marketing firm.

Foundation 65: Board Member, 2018-PresentWoman’s Club of Evanston: Member at Large, 2011-PresentEvanston Chicago: Main TIF Advisory Committee Chair, 2013-2014Center for Independent Futures: Advisory Council, 2013Oakton Elementary School: PTA Board Member, Volunteer/Events and Arts/Cultural Chair, 2008-2013The Musical Offering: Board Member and Treasurer, 2012-2013

Established IT governance department for bank at direction of Chief Technology Officer. Strategized with CTO for internal meetings and other change management related preparation. Developed framework, global change management strategy, and implemented administrative structure to support centralized functions within technology group to improve IT value by providing streamlined, agile, cost-effective, and simpler methods for businesses to meet strategic goals. Provided specific and singular process flows for each technology function related to resource and financial planning, procurement, off-shore resource management, program management office, communications, and IT project portfolio management. Led effort to research, analyze, and implement formal project portfolio management methodology and process for bank.

Developed department strategic plan in collaboration with other managers, business stakeholders, and staff. Reorganized department staff as necessary to meet needs, while meeting individual staff career goals. Established several new processes to enhance business partner experience and IT partner requirements, including establishment of project management office and depth to existing formal testing team. Added new function of quality assurance officer to ensure use of best practices, assisting group in meeting SOX requirements.

Technology Project Manager, VP, 2004. At the request of senior leadership, transitioned to project role in support of high-priority, strategic initiative. The project required close alignment with business partners from several units and locations, delivery of formal progress reports to bank's management committee including the CEO, and direct management of IT professionals across departments to ensure project's success.Application Manager, VP, 1998-2004. Managed staff, budgets, and capital mgt related to several trust accounting applications and several large implementation projects. Supported team through Y2K & championed 2 Six Sigma projects. Developed docket process for maintenance project and ensured continuous review of application architecture, with focus on optimization and ease of maintenance. Earned Medallion Award for quality results related to new client requirements. Business Process Analyst and Project Leader, 2VP, 1996-1998. Member & manager of business partners supporting analysis and implementation of new benefit payment system. Confirmed design continuity between multiple business requirements, prepared ROI to ensure budget stability. Liaison b/t business partners and IT staff to justify, define, and implement all business requirements. Managed new system implementation issue tracking, continued to support product and business partner change management needs following implementation.Team Leader and Trainer, Officer, 1993-1996. Responsible for hiring, training, and development of new employees, and regular training for existing staff. Supported division mgrs and represented benefit payment services in client mgts. Chaired year-end cmt, managed annual activities - over 800,000 tax forms. Client Service Rep, 1992-1993. Managed & serviced corporate clients for benefit payment services division. Earned Medallion Award for acct management, served on staff participation cmt.