Hired to lead transformation of the human resources function, establish trusted business partnerships, and facilitate service delivery. Oversee the full range of HR programs and services, including strategic HR initiatives, learning and development, total rewards, employee engagement, performance management, labor and employee relations, and talent acquisition. Oversee regulatory compliance, e.g., ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and workers' compensation, etc. Partner with and influence executive leaders in workforce decision-making.  Orchestrated initiative to empower senior leaders to institute measures that raised employee engagement and improved scores in government-wide engagement survey 7% and boosted Best Places to Work ranking to the top 5. As key leadership team member, championed formation of agency-wide culture, diversity, and inclusion council, shaped strategy for organizational culture assessment, and laid foundation for future enhancements.  Developed vision, competency model, and strategy to power leadership development and provide resources, tools, and systems enabling a high-performing work culture.  Assumed interim role as Chief Learning Officer, filling critical leadership gap, reinvigorating stakeholder relationships, and strengthening internal processes and efficiency.  Saved $4M+ in department expenses by eliminating redundancies, instituting quality control measures, and tightening contract management protocols.  Launched new talent management system (TMS) and human resource information system (HRIS), incorporating stakeholder feedback and business requirements into planning to ensure seamless transition and optimal functionality. Headed internal communications throughout the COVID-19 pandemic on behalf of the executive director’s office to sustain continuity of operations, implement people-centric policies, and support shift to remote work.

Selected to steer department reorganization, rebuild relationships with key stakeholders, and establish best-in-class human capital programs and services. Aligned programs and policies with strategic objectives to drive proactive employee selection, retention, and engagement. Forged and sustained productive alliances with key leaders and stakeholders.  Earned executive-level approval for reimagining human capital strategies and leading transformation to proactive, holistic programming and heightened focus on key drivers of change.  Reengineered HR structures, systems, and engagement strategies to renew staff confidence and position department as a trusted business partner, winning the Administrator’s Award for Teamwork.  Directed design and development of an award-winning workforce analysis framework adopted across the agency.  Spearheaded design, development, and implementation of an education program for managers, supervisors, and staff incorporating a comprehensive HR tool kit, policy trainings, knowledge management system, and open forums to improve efficiency, accelerate information delivery, and reinforce open communication.  Convened cross-organizational working group to develop agency’s first-ever formal recruitment strategy to hire 150 new technical employees and lay foundation for strategic approach to talent acquisition due to shifting market conditions.  Streamlined 3rd-party vendor sourcing and selection process to increase agility and decrease costs, consolidating multiple contracts into 1 flexible procurement vehicle.  Led development of an innovative performance management program, a robust technical and leadership competency model, and a career path roadmap to drive talent development and management and to facilitate short- and long-term workforce planning.

Lead a team of students on global residency project to help a small consulting firm in Cape Town, South Africa. We prepared a business plan that is a roadmap for this boutique firm to facilitate entry to global market.