Denise Silva, M.B.A.

Experience

• 

  General Mills

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2012

  Diversity and Inclusion Internal Consultant for United States Supply Chain Organization & Leader of global flexibility strategy. Reported directly to Chief Diversity Officer.• Designed and delivered inclusion business strategy training for U.S. manufacturing plant HR managers and associates• Provided internal consulting on flexible workplace policies and implementation• Maintained General Mills’ position as one of the Top 10 Best Places for Working Mothers• Led and organized 100 volunteers to implement a yearly workplace flexibility awareness day Show less Head of Human Resources for 400 hourly, salaried and temporary employees. Managed three direct reports. Managed HR budget and all activities in HR Department which included employee relations, employment law (FLSA, FMLA, AAP, ADA etc), employee recognition and team building activities. • Executed cultural change strategy which resulted in: an increase in employee recognition nominations, creation of a competency-based interview and selection process, an increase in “communication” category of the employee engagement survey and creation of a rolling discipline program• Led plant restructuring efforts• Led changes to existing compensation strategy to enable the plant to attract, train, and motivate employees • Led temporary agency change• Acted as company representative for E.E.O.C. and legal cases • Managed annual review process for merit increases and bonuses; provided analysis of actual performance against individual and business targets to senior management team Show less Associate Human Resources Manager for 400 non-union hourly, salaried, and temporary employees. • Coordinated all salaried recruiting efforts including writing and posting job descriptions, reviewing resumes, scheduling and conducting interviews, leading decision making process, determining starting salary, extending employment offers and completing background checks• Counseled managers and employees regarding employee conflict resolution, complaints, sexual harassment, employee assistance program, and training requirements• Led all reasonable accommodation discussions resulting in 100% compliance with ADA• Trained employees on open enrollment process and was a key point of contact for benefits questions• Fostered a fully inclusive workplace by creating and facilitating inclusive dialogues with new and struggling teams; trained 10 facilitators; collectively facilitated 60+ dialogues Show less Associate Human Resources Manager for 400 union hourly employees and non-union salaried employees. • Led campus recruiting at local college for Operations, Quality, and Engineering internships• Led summer internship program• Created a detailed six week onboarding plan for new salaried employees• Created a succession planning process for salaried employees to improve employee development and retention plans• Improved General Mills associate HR manager retention by developing an U.S. based HR community and steering team and designing a 24-month onboarding process • Organized daily involvement in plant labor activities including contract grievance resolution with two labor unions. Show less

  • Manager, Inclusion and Flexibility

    Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

  • Manager, Human Resources

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2011

  • Associate Manager, Human Resources

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  • Associate Manager, Human Resources

    Jan 2006 - Jan 2007
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  St. Catherine University

  Jan 2014 - May 2023

  Equity and Inclusion· Serves as project manager and leader for strategic initiatives, managing multiple, concurrent projects of varying size and complexity that advance diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with St. Catherine University’s Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan· Develops partnerships and collaborates across St. Catherine University and with external consultants to move work forward to advance diversity, equity and inclusion goals and priorities.· Makes intentional, consistent, and accountable efforts to recruit, retain and provide advancement opportunities for employees who reflect the diversity of St. Catherine University’s students.· Serves as a consultant and coach to employees and teams at all levels as they work to integrate equity in decision making, policies, and practices.Training and Development· Researches, designs, develops, implements, and evaluates professional development opportunities that prepare employees at all levels of the organization with the knowledge, tools, and processes to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.· Facilitates discussions, effective group process and decision-making with medium to large sized work groups, including staff, supervisors, managers, senior and executive leaders.· Offers development programs using a variety of modalities. e.g., in person workshop, web-based programming, cohorts, team exercises, dialogue circles etc.Employee Relations• Builds manager capabilities in talent assessment, selection, development, coaching and feedback.• Coaches and guides managers to identify and effectively address employee complaints, workplace issues and facilitate dispute resolution.• Leads, conducts, and facilitates effective and thorough investigations of employee complaints, concerns, issues of bias and employee relations.• Facilitates exit interview process and analyzes exit interview data to identify trends and make recommendations for cultural and systemic change. Show less

  • Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Nov 2022 - May 2023

  • Human Resources, Equity and Inclusion Senior Consultant

    Jan 2014 - Nov 2022
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  Hennepin County Library

  Aug 2023 - now

  Senior Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant

  Hennepin County Library is a medium government organization with 500 employees. Hennepin County Library is a national leader of library service, innovation and excellence. Our 41 libraries, website and outreach services serve 1.2 million county residents over 611 square miles.- Provides leadership and support for department-wide efforts that advance our goal of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive library system for all. - Prepares library staff in all roles and at all levels with the knowledge, tools, and processes to embed Hennepin County’s core value of diversity and inclusion in their work- Promotes equitable policies and practices, authentic and inclusive engagement; and to actively reduce disparities and promote equity in Hennepin County. - Develops curriculum and professional development opportunities- Serves as a consultant to staff at all levels and in all areas of the library. - Manages and facilitates strategic initiatives, projects and workgroups that advance diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with the library’s Strategic Plan. Show less