Michael Kern

Experience

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  Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C.

  Jan 1992 - Jan 1993

  Attorney at Law

  Managed all aspects of legal cases in firm practicing immigration law.

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  SirsiDynix

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1996

  HR Manager

  Managed all human resources functions within a division of leading library systems software company. Reported to the Director of Human Resources.

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  Campbell Software (now part of SAP)

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1998

  HR Manager

  Developed human resources programs for a venture-backed workforce management software company leading to successful acquisition by SAP. Reported to the Director of Human Resources.

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  Open Port Technology

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2000

  HR Manager

  Established human resources department for venture-backed international IP (Internet Protocol) telephony software company. Led HR strategies in growing company to recognition as the 10th largest software company in Chicago. Managed staffing of offices in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hong Kong. Managed HR staff including Human Resources Assistant and Recruiting Specialist. Reported to the Chief Financial Officer.Established Open Port as a leading employer, earning recognition as one of Chicago Magazine’s “Best Places to Work” (October 2000). Developed a comprehensive stock option program to introduce competitive option grants through extensive market analysis. Show less

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  Alterian

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2002

  HR Director

  Launched North American operations for publicly traded global data analytics software company headquartered in the UK. Managed HR staff including Manager of Recruiting and Manager of Training & Organizational Development. Reported to the Chief Operating Officer. Alterian is currently part of SDL, a leading provider of Global Information Management (GIM) solutions.Redesigned recruiting and benefit programs resulting in over $500,000 savings in the first year of U.S. operations. Established initial training, compensation, and equity programs to enable successful growth in North America. Show less

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  ESD now Stantec Consulting Services

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2013

  Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Administration

  SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION (2012-2013)VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION (2008-2012)VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES (2007-2008)DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES (2002-2007)Directed all human resources initiatives for privately-held professional services engineering consulting firm engaged in multi-billion dollar construction projects worldwide. Managed HR staff of 4 including Benefits/Payroll Specialist, Training/Organizational Development Specialist and 2 internal recruiters. Managed internal Administrative Support. Served on Executive Leadership Team reporting to the President.Led change management initiatives to transform workforce capabilities to prepare for significant industry and organizational changes, while maintaining consistent profitability for ten consecutive years. Established international offices in the Middle East through a combination of expatriate deployment and local recruitment to drive further revenue growth. Show less

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  IFS

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  Director of Human Resources

  Directed all North American human resources initiatives for publicly-held global enterprise software company with headquarters in Linkoping, Sweden. Managed HR staff of 4.Led recruiting initiatives during highest level of recruiting activity for North American region. Designed performance management and development programs to facilitate online training and personal development plans. Managed HR team executing all aspects of human resources function, including compensation administration, benefits management and employee relations. Show less

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  Blue Marble Consulting, Inc.

  Jan 2014 - now

  Founder and Principal

  Partnering with organizations to implement organizational development initiatives including:•Conflict resolution through mediation and alternative dispute resolution.•Culture and engagement programs driving improved business results.•Leadership development and coaching producing effective management styles that result in lower turnover and greater productivity.•Performance Management systems generating greater employee satisfaction and increased individual growth.

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  Human Synergistics

  Feb 2016 - now

  Consulting Director

  Serve with the Human Synergistics Leadership Team consulting on internal and external projects.As the creators of the world’s most widely-used and researched culture survey, we’ve pioneered culture and leadership research for more than 50 years. Our organizational mission is to Change the World--One Organization at a Time. We work at the organizational systems level helping organizations develop constructive organizational cultures and the constructive leaders required to make this happen. We know that when organizations can achieve a constructive culture, they outperform the market, they make more positive contributions to society and are great places to work. Show less

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  Center for Conflict Resolution

  Jan 2023 - now

  Mediation Trainer

  Train new mediators on mediation skills.