Human Resources Director and People Operations Leader

Supported six schools and regional operations across five U.S. states and Canada, serving more than 400 employees. Partnered directly with the CEO, CFO, and school leaders on employee relations, performance, investigations, accommodations, leaves, terminations, and multi-state employment risk.

Led four Paylocity implementations and hands-on configuration across HR records, onboarding, timekeeping, benefits, workflows, and user adoption for approximately 270 to 285 employees. Guided post-acquisition HR integration, standardized employment documentation and policies, and partnered with Finance and benefits brokers on payroll controls, retirement transitions, and benefits operations.

Led HR for a 400-plus employee public agency, supervised a four-person HR team, and advised the Executive Director, senior leaders, and Board. Reduced full-time turnover from 27.97% to 9.69% through improved manager guidance, employee-relations practices, documentation, and retention initiatives.

Led a comprehensive compensation study and a multi-year Paycom transformation, including configuration of workflows, permissions, lifecycle modules, reporting, onboarding, and performance processes. Modernized the employment manual, implemented Paycom Learning, improved seasonal hiring timelines, strengthened hiring and I-9 controls, and partnered on restructuring, succession planning, labor relations, and volunteer management.

Supported employee relations, HR operations, staffing, compliance, and management guidance during a period of expanding HR leadership responsibility.

Served as the sole HR professional and built the organization’s first formal HR function, supporting approximately 100 locations across 38 states. Designed HR operating practices, employee handbook content, policies, forms, documentation standards, and employee lifecycle workflows for a distributed workforce.

Implemented and administered Paycom through hands-on HRIS process design and configuration. Advised operations leaders on investigations, performance, terminations, employee relations, and multi-state compliance; coordinated with employment counsel on EEOC matters and employee claims; and developed state-specific COVID-19 guidance.

Progressed through restaurant and multi-unit operations leadership roles before transitioning into office administration and HR. As a Champaign multi-unit supervisor, oversaw four restaurants and supported operational accountability, staffing, training, compliance, and manager development.

Previously led a $3 million restaurant with approximately 70 employees and 12 managers, developing and promoting more than 16 internal leaders. Built foundational expertise in frontline management, performance accountability, staffing, training, and operational problem-solving.

Oversaw ten stores in Wisconsin with responsibility for P&L performance, staffing, manager development, compliance, and operational accountability.

Improved district performance ranking from 10th of 10 districts to 6th within six months and later to 4th.

Held volunteer leadership roles over eight active years and continues as a sustainer. Served two years as Vice President of Fundraising, managing event budgets and volunteers.

Implemented fundraising software, chaired an event, and contributed to marketing and new-member committees.

Served as a community board member for three years.

Participated in a fundraising-event committee and supported organizational governance and community fundraising efforts.