Karen Ackerman, Phr, Shrm-Cp Email & Phone Number

Amherst, Virginia, United States

Life evolves. This section denotes an extended step away from the paid workforce to significantly contribute to one's family.

Lynchburg, Virginia Area

Responsible for delivering success and high performance in all facets of Employee Relations, Team Engagement, Total Rewards (Compensation, Benefits, Appreciation and Wellness), HR Operations, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Organizational Development and Employee Communications.

Lynchburg, Va

Responsible for the daily management and operations of Credit Services, Catalog/Web Analysts and e-Commerce teams. Other areas of focus include leadership development, associate performance management, delivery of an elevated customer experience and enhancement of associate tools and resources.

Responsible for designing the infrastructure to enable organizational adoption of a new Warehouse Management System, new processes and associated changes. Also responsible for communication, training and internal development. System implementation: Summer 2008.

Responsible for partnering with the Training team in developing and reviewing course content, presentations and updating all training courses based on the needs of Associate and Leadership teams.Results include reformatting and branding all New Hire, Customer Service, Support and Special Services training guides; Development of training materials for new brand launch, including order flow process and procedures; Consistent branding of all communication to call center associates - Procedures Updates; organizational memos; contest and incentive announcements; meeting presentations, invitations and station materials; Assisted in the successful approval and launch of ePath Learning systems - future plans include development of company-wide online training university, web tools for blended learning, associate development and career pathing.

Championed the effort to implement a 360 performance management and development plan process for approximately 100 senior leaders across the organization; Lead Recruiting Team in establishing and implementing a recruiting strategy, including communication, advertising strategies, phone and in-person interviewing tools for all 90 Taylor Corporation Companies; Collaborated with company leadership to develop job descriptions based on expectations, performance outcomes and competencies related to the overall Taylor Corporation Leadership Model; Initiated and nurtured relationships with local universities and graduate programs throughout the state of Minnesota through representation at career fairs and on-campus events.

Developed, scheduled and delivered leadership training in local Taylor companies – including Communication and Conflict; Management training, Facilitator Training and Selecting the Best sessions; Administered and interpreted various psychological tests to assess the communication and interpersonal work styles of managers in order to improve relationships; Implemented and managed the first formal Mentor Training program for the Corporation, and developed and conducted online training for over 80 mentors

Scheduled and coordinated the Employee Opinion Survey process for 90 companies within the Taylor organization; Created online survey tool to streamline the process of data entry of survey responses; Analyzed, compiled and produced reports of survey data using statistical software, including the implementation of tracking trend data to measure success; Provided feedback and follow-up training to company Presidents and leadership teams as a framework for sharing survey results with employees; thus improving communication and relationships within the organization

Assisted college students with career decision-making through career counseling; Administered and interpreted the Strong Interest Inventory with students to assess career interests, preferred working environments, possible college majors, and individual work styles; Partnered with Career Center team to organize, manage and deliver workshops related to resume-writing, interviewing techniques and job search strategies; Developed and maintained working relationships with campus recruiters during Employer Information events

Bachelor Of Science, Psychology

Ms, Community Counseling

Activities and Societies: Classroom Instructor - "Decision Making in Career & Life"