Kathryn Russo Email & Phone Number

Sacramento, Ca, Us

Following a rewarding career in HR and Operations, I took a break to focus on my family. I'm ready to return to the professional world with a renewed commitment to my industry. I'm actively seeking a new role where I can leverage my skills in operations, talent acquisition, team development, and business administration. I am open to onsite, hybrid, or remote.

Marco Island, Florida, Us

Developed and implemented comprehensive talent strategies, overseeing a 40-person team for corporate recruiting across 200 centers and three schools. Advised executive leadership on technology solutions, compensation, benefits, and training programs, aligning talent acquisition with business objectives to attract and retain top-tier talent.KEY SKILLS: talent management, business cases, compensation strategy, workday integration, program management, management systems, health technology, negotiation skills, roadmap development, business plans, SELECT ACHIEVEMENTS• Improved hiring process efficiency, saving $500K annually and reducing time-to-fill positions by 300% through strategic talent acquisition and training initiatives.• Reduced hiring needs by 75%, decreased costs by 50%, and improved time-to-fill roles by 300% through key metrics and data analysis techniques.• Streamlined background clearance, increasing candidate start rate by 25% and reducing clearance time by 50% through process optimization and training.• Enhanced compensation strategy for board-certified behavioral analysis (BCBA) positions, achieving a 50% reduction in staffing needs and improving hiring progress significantly.

Framingham, Ma, Us

Drove significant organizational changes to support two markets and led pandemic-related modifications. Recruited, hired, and developed store management. Solved operations, human resources, and merchandising issues promptly. Managed 11 direct reports, 650 indirect district employees, and a $180M budget.KEY SKILLS: Organizational change management, team development, operational problem-solving, data analysis, business strategy, management strategies, resourceful, market growth, flexible, motivating, creative, customer service enhancementSELECT ACHIEVEMENTS• Refined recruiting and hiring operations, enhancing people analytics.• Used data analysis to boost sales performance, resulting in a 15% sales increase.• Assessed staff skills and implemented training, improving customer satisfaction by 10%.• Collaborated cross-functionally to maintain consistent messaging and customer experience.• Led pandemic response, achieving compliance and improving customer service scores by 10%.

To support a seriously ill family member.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Managed operations for 15 stores across California and Nevada, driving annual sales of over $500M. Focused on hiring, training, and developing talent while maintaining vital customer service and operational efficiency. Served as a community relations leader for the Target Corporation. Oversaw 12 direct reports, 1500 team members, and a $450K district budget.KEY SKILLS: P&L control, strategy development, operational management, creative merchandising, talent management, employee development, market growth, leadership capabilities, creating roadmaps, peer lead. SELECT ACHIEVEMENTS• Named Headquarters Key Partner for providing valuable feedback on store wins and opportunities.• Selected for the Top People Developer Award for developing talent at all levels in the district and across the group.• Awarded Most Valuable Player, an accolade voted on by peers for the director who sets the bar in their district and supports the success of others.• Fostered a diverse talent bench to support long-term growth and stability by developing and executing succession plans.• Spearheaded innovative training programs that led the district to achieve the company's highest year-over-year (YoY) sales growth.• The district was chosen as a test market for the field structure, which provided valuable feedback for the successful nationwide rollout across 1,750 stores.• Achieved the lowest district-exempt turnover rate by hiring top-tier candidates and cultivating a culture of empowerment, recognition, and empathy.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Led operations for a portfolio of 12 stores across Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Managed 12 direct reports, 1700 team members, and a $450M budget.KEY SKILLS: P&L control, operational processes, customer service, creative merchandising strategies, recruiting, hiring, training, mentoring, talent development, succession planning, data analytics, collaboration, strategic leadershipSELECT ACHIEVEMENTS• Provided strategic guidance and support to 75 exempt leaders, fostering a culture of stewardship and accountability to drive business success.• Led efforts to deliver sustainable long-term growth, prioritizing shareholder value through effective operational management and talent development initiatives.• Utilized data-driven insights to navigate and thrive during the 2009 economic downturn, surpassing company-wide sales performance benchmarks.• Implemented innovative organizational structures and streamlined operating processes, resulting in a $9M increase in sales while reducing salary expenses.• Demonstrated proficiency in succession planning, facilitating ten internal promotions to key leadership positions within the district.• Enhanced profitability and efficiency by leveraging data analysis to identify and address areas of improvement, resulting in notable reductions in shortage and optimization of workplace operations.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Directed business operations and logistics strategies across an eight-state territory, generating $3B in annual revenue. Collaborated with distribution centers to optimize logistics and accelerate sales. Provided strategic guidance to seven senior district directors and 81 store directors.KEY SKILLS: logistics optimization, sales acceleration, strategic guidance, operational efficiency, stakeholder collaborationSELECT ACHIEVEMENTS• Recognized as a company trainer for operational directors, enhancing business process performance.• Delivered an annual cost savings of $4M by leading operational improvements and eliminating the need for offsite storage facilities.• Organized and implemented pilot programs to drive operational excellence, ensuring successful implementation before company-wide rollout.• Cultivated partnerships with key stakeholders to address market gaps, significantly improving top-line sales and profit margins.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Responsible for all team, operational, and financial aspects of the store. Managed eight direct reports and 150 store staff.KEY SKILLS: operations management, budget management, staff training, mentoring, logistics, recruiting, hiring strategies, employee retention, strategic leadership, engagement, campus relations, brand ambassador, public speaking, event planningSELECT ACHIEVEMENTS• Intentionally brought diverse leaders to recruiting events to attract more candidates.• Increased intern numbers three-fold and doubled conversions to full-time positions through targeted recruitment strategies, resulting in the largest classes of new hires with excellent retention.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Held numerous positions at this level in the Kansas City and St. Louis markets.