Kate Ranalli

Experience

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  Ballard Spahr LLP

  Jan 1989 - Jan 1999

  Training and career in employee benefits and compensation law at major Philadelphia law firm with reputation for quality in employment and employee benefits law. Increasing levels of responsibility and visibility to mid-to-large private and public employers. Plan drafting, contract negotiation, client counseling on interplay of various laws related to employment status. Developed concentration in active and retiree health plan strategy, design, funding, and ERISA and tax law compliance. Show less

  • Associate

    Jan 1989 - Jan 1999

  • Associate

    Jan 1989 - Jan 1999
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  AstraZeneca

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  Counsel - Health & Welfare / Retirement Plans - Legal Department (US)

  Counsel - Health & Welfare / Retirement Plans - US Legal Selected as lead legal counsel to US corporate leadership team, HR, legal and finance, on benefits implication of corporate merger of Astra and Zeneca. Provided benefits expertise and guidance to align with evolving business needs through merger period. • Legal counsel to all internal benefit-plan internal committees (e.g., benefits administration and investment) with focus on corporate/fiduciary responsibility, benefit plan structure and plan design. • Designed and guided implementation of post-merger qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. Evaluated alternative retirement plan designs, froze defined pension plan, and conducted detailed review of IRS non-discrimination testing issues.• Advised on all health & welfare plan matters, including plan design and cost control, evaluation of innovative strategies related to disease management, and development of incentives. • Provided legal support for initiatives to outsource pension, health and welfare plans, and stock plan administration. Show less

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  AstraZeneca

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2012

  Senior Counsel, Total Rewards - AZ Corporate Legal Department (Global)

  ~Senior Counsel, Total Rewards/ Corporate Legal (2008 - 2012); ~Senior Counsel: Executive Compensation, Health & Welfare / Retirement Plans - US Legal (2004 - 2008); ~Senior Counsel: Health & Welfare / Retirement Plans - US Legal (2002 - 2004)Achieved progressive levels of expertise, and alignment between strategic and tactical legal advice on employee benefits across global HR, legal and finance. Served as lead advisor on benefits design and funding matters with focus on business objectives to reduce costs, manage financial volatility, assure compliance with tax and labor law, and reduce significant plan-related liabilities.• Targeted support of M&A group leading assessment and resolution of legal risk associated with employee-benefit aspects of corporate deals (i.e., severance, post-closing benefits integration). • Integrated 2500 newly acquired employees from related industry into corporate H&W employee plans, managed all corporate approvals, contract changes, and resolution of employee issues in connection with transition, delivering estimated projected savings to combined business of $50M over five years.• Provided legal / benefits leadership to cross-functional, steering committee on project to reduce number of terminated participants under pension plan, with $100M in projected reduced liabilities.• Served as key advisor on major restructuring of US pension plan investment strategy to reduce risk and lower financial volatility. Documented investment policy statements and provided legal review of over 20 transactions across pension investment managers, with cumulative savings of new strategy ~ $80M over several years. • Provided legal analysis and documentation to permit transfer of funds from retiree medical trust to company to reimburse business for benefits consistent with DOL requirements. Show less

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  AstraZeneca

  Jun 2012 - Jan 2016

  Selected for subject matter expertise and effective consultative approach to lead large-scale/cross functional employee plan projects. Collaborated to drive change as well as engagement across diverse constituencies and their accountability areas, including senior executive team, commercial business, and US BOD (Secretary for NA Comp and Benefits Committee; subject matter expert to and member of Investment Committee).• Led “Simplification Project” to consolidate all defined contribution plans into single unified plan covering all US-based employees ($3B assets/19,000 participants). Included overhaul of investment fund line up, and fee structure, with reduction in administrative costs and investment fees. HR responsibility for employee communication, updating plan features and processes to reflect current trends, freeze on company stock. Legal responsibility for plan documentation, compliant administrative processes, and fiduciary guidance.• Spearheaded “merger in a month” business critical objective to integrate newly acquired business, representing 15% workforce increase, into US benefit programs. Responsible for understanding deal terms, and translating into most aggressive communications campaign in company history. Completed in record breaking speed in industry to date, and project winner of 2014 HR Award. • Lead legal advisor to HR benefits function in review of opportunities to mitigate and manage financial liability associated with post retirement obligations consistent with the law. Key contributor to team to assess investment strategies and viability of marketplace opportunities to reduce risk and legacy expenses (e.g., risk transfer and use of private exchanges for retiree medical benefits).• Remedied systemic compliance implications to retirement plan programs in connection with first-time payroll outsourcing; achieved satisfactory and timely outcome of external audit. Show less Internally recruited to lead HR benefits function for US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Latin America. Responsible for effective implementation of innovative global benefits model across region. Ensured understanding of local legal requirements and markets, and alignment with global reward policy. Accountable for all 'business as usual' benefits activity for years 2013 and 2014 as well as benefits projects during the period. • Established internal team to roll out Benefits Center of Expertise governance model across North America and Latin America. Project generated $10M in corporate savings in multiple years. • Implemented finance and benefits strategies to reduce costs while attracting and retaining employees, such as use of global captive and procurement standards. • Aggressively managed IRS audit of US pension and retirement plans to reduce financial/penalty risk. Audit closed in record time with no sanctions or corrective actions required.• Assessed and implemented new legislative/regulatory requirements, such as application of the Affordable Care Act to company health plans in the US. Show less

  • Lead Legal Advisor, Global Rewards/HR Director

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2016

  • Lead Legal Advisor, Global Rewards/HR Regional Benefits Director (Americas)

    Jun 2012 - Jul 2014