Vernessa W.

Experience

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  Bravo Brio Restaurant Group

  May 2005 - Jun 2015

  Chief People Officer

  During this tenure, I directed end-to-end HR operations, including administration, recruiting, and employee relations for a company with 11000+ employees. I played a pivotal role in the strategic growth of the company by developing and implementing HR policies and procedures. I was also responsible for executing all legal matters, encompassing contract negotiations and mediation. Furthermore, I coordinated with senior management and the board of directors about HR initiatives. My key accomplishments in this role are:• Saved cost of the organization by directing the company through large-scale comprehensive re-engineering, work re-design, and process improvement initiatives.• Proactively resolved all queries of all federal, state, and local government agencies.• Successfully overhauled compensation and benefits package to establish clear performance and pay grade ranges, advocate company-wide uniformity, enhance career development transparency, augment employee morale, and lessen expenses.• Advocated corporate culture across 38 states by devising and executing employee training programs.• Reduced HR budget while boosting output, effectiveness, and quality by outsourcing and executing key operations, such as administration of 401(k) plan and benefits contact center.• Revamped the organization into a nationally publicly traded company while acting as a member of the strategic leadership team.Additional Experiences:Sr. Vice President HR /COO-Jillian's Entertainment; Vice President & Officer-Seattle Coffee Company; Operations & HR - Walt Disney World Show less

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  V&W Compliance Group

  Jun 2015 - now

  Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Mediator

  In my current role, I leverage my leadership skills in strengthening partnerships with clients to direct full-cycle of HR-related activities while coordinating with senior management, business unit leaders, and field operations managers. I steer collaborative efforts with customers on multiple topics, including workforce readiness, internal customer support, HR initiatives, hiring and onboarding, and coaching and mentoring at management levels. The values delivered in this role are:• Streamlined workflows and improved employee productivity by identifying various issues in clients' current processes, providing suggestions, and implementing new policies and procedures.• Optimized client morale and improved profitability by delivering technology-based solutions to various HR problems.• Saved time and expensive litigation for clients by delivering innovative resolutions to complex employee relations issues, including mediation and addressing workplace conflicts and employee terminations.• Ensured adherence to all federal, state, and local employment laws. Show less

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  Bellarmine University

  Dec 2020 - Dec 2022

  Adjunct Faculty Member

  ADJUNCT FACULTYWork with students who are enrolled in the University’s MBA Program. Providing students with the knowledge, learnings and training as it relates to the functions of Human Resources and its influence on the overall success of a business. Key Job Responsibilities:• Teach Human Resources related courses in an innovative, engaging way that will help students learn and encourage them to come and participate in classroom discussions and assignments. • Develop course outlines, curriculum and instructional HR materials that will assist students as they seek their MBA. • Assign grades and assess student progress, potential and achievement in concrete, understandable ways to ultimately help students progress towards the requirements necessary for completion of the University’s MBA Program. • Lecture and teach the material presented in the course syllabus and outline in a professional and engaging manner.• Participate in continuing education classes to guarantee that knowledge and teaching methods are up-to-date and likely to help students succeed. Maintain appropriate records in an organized, efficient manner for class taught, and have this information prepared for students at all times.• Cultivate a desire to build professional relationships with students and peer faculty, find solutions to students course specific problems and to be helpful and friendly at all times. Show less

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  University of Louisville

  Aug 2021 - now

  Adjunct Lecturer

  ADJUNCT FACULTYChampion students enrolled in University’s Masters Public Administration Program: develop compelling course outlines, curricula and class materials for courses and teach HR courses in an engaging, innovative manner to encourage students and optimize learning. Assign grades and assess student progress, potential and achievement; ensure students fulfill requirements necessary for completion of the University’s MPADM Program. Maintain organized records and collect/analyze student achievement data to track progress.Key Job Responsibilities:• Developed reputation for innovative, compelling curricula and effective, participative teaching. • Cultivate students’ desire to build professional relationships with students and peer faculty, find solutions to course-specific problems and maintain professionalism and courtesy at all times. Show less

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  The Center for Women and Families

  Feb 2023 - now

  Vice President Human Resources