Cara Grandolfo
Tustin,CA
Summary
Strategic Human Resources leader with 15+ years of progressive experience guiding people strategy, employee relations, compliance, total rewards, and HR operations across multi-site, multi-state organizations. Most recently served as HR Director for H&S Energy Group, supporting 2,700+ employees across 285+ locations and leading a 15-person HR team. Known for executive partnership, acquisition integration, risk mitigation, HR systems optimization, compensation benchmarking, workforce planning, and culture-focused change management.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
HR Director
H&S Energy Group
Orange, CA
07.2022 - 01.2026
- Progressive promotions from HR Manager to Associate Director to HR Director based on expanded leadership scope, operational impact, and organizational trust.
- Led a 15-person HR team supporting a 2,700+ employee, 285+ location retail operation across four states.
- Directed the acquisition and integration of 100+ retail sites in Oregon and Washington within six months, aligning employees, policies, processes, and HR systems during rapid expansion.
- Led complex employee relations investigations, corrective action, and policy administration to reduce legal exposure and strengthen compliance in high-risk operating environments, including PAGA-sensitive matters.
- Oversaw Workers' Compensation and General Liability programs, partnering across HR, operations, and legal teams to manage claims, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.
- Implemented performance management and compensation tools, including CompAnalyst+ benchmarking, to strengthen pay competitiveness, improve internal equity, and support more consistent leadership decision-making across a 2,700+ employee, multi-state workforce.
- Launched employee communication and recognition initiatives, including quarterly newsletters, engagement surveys, and culture-building programs, to strengthen organizational alignment, increase visibility of HR programs, and support retention efforts.
- Supported reductions in force, acquisitions, and restructuring efforts with a focus on compliant execution, clear communication, and employee care during organizational change.
HR Consultant
Associated Students, Inc. at CSU Fullerton (Contract via Apple One)
Fullerton, CA
10.2021 - 01.2022
- Streamlined hiring and onboarding workflows to improve process consistency, reduce administrative delays, and support a smoother new hire experience.
- Designed branded new hire orientation materials and standardized HR communications to improve employee experience and reinforce a consistent employer brand.
- Optimized the performance assessment system to better align with organizational goals and strengthen performance management practices.
- Managed benefits administration, compensation analysis, leave administration, HR operations, and policy interpretation while supporting employees and managers on day-to-day HR matters.
- Supervised and developed three student HR Assistants, providing coaching, training, and task prioritization to support efficient HR service delivery.
HR Manager / Principal
CG Marketing LLC
Tustin, CA
01.2012 - 01.2020
- Directed HR operations for a national workforce of 150+ employees across multiple U.S. markets, including payroll, leave administration, benefits, and workers' compensation.
- Developed HR procedures, onboarding programs, and compliance practices aligned with multi-state and federal employment requirements.
- Coordinated workforce practices and cross-border operational support for teams in Panama, India, and Mexico.
- Led employee engagement initiatives that reduced turnover by 15 percent.
- Managed budgets, regulatory compliance, and administrative staff in support of business operations.
Sr. HR Generalist / HR Data Analyst
PalmSource, Inc.
Santa Clara, CA
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Managed HR generalist responsibilities including compliance reporting, employee relations, engagement, compensation, and benefits administration.
- Led HRIS transition from SAP to Lawson in a six-month implementation, improving reporting continuity and process efficiency.
- Developed onboarding programs, HR dashboards, and SOPs to improve consistency, reporting visibility, and process execution.
HR Representative
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
Sunnyvale, CA
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Supported 500+ engineers with talent acquisition, succession planning, performance management, compensation administration, and employee relations.
- Managed a recruiting campaign to onboard 20 H-1B engineers, supporting critical technical hiring needs.
- Developed cultural sensitivity training to support the successful onboarding and integration of H-1B visa hires.
HR Representative
Hyundai Electronics America
San Jose, CA
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Managed HR generalist responsibilities including compliance reporting, employee relations, engagement initiatives, compensation, and benefits administration.
- Led onboarding activities and new hire support programs.
- Supported employee engagement initiatives and day-to-day HR operations.
Counselor
EMQ Children & Family Services
San Jose, CA
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Developed programs for at-risk youth and supported service delivery across nonprofit programs.
- Authored RFPs to secure federal funding in support of nonprofit programs.
Education
M.A. - Counseling Psychology
Santa Clara University
B.A. - Languages & Philosophy
University of Notre Dame
Skills
- Conflict resolution expertise
- HR process optimization
- HR compliance management
- Organizational development
- Integrated total rewards strategy
- Skilled in workforce planning
- Expertise in HR software solutions
- Coaching for enhanced performance
Certification
- SHRM Member
- First Aid/CPR Certified
Languages
French
Conversational Spanish
Travelers' Italian
Travelers' Portuguese
Systems
- ADP Workforce Now
- ADP suite products (Case Builder, Health Compliance, ADP 401k, Essential Time, Workforce Manager, Smart Compliance)
- CompAnalyst+
- Ceridian Dayforce
- Lawson
- SAP
- Kronos
- PeopleSoft
- Paycom
- QuickBooks
- ATS platforms including JazzHR and Trakstar Hire
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe
Timeline
HR Director
H&S Energy Group
07.2022 - 01.2026
HR Consultant
Associated Students, Inc. at CSU Fullerton (Contract via Apple One)
10.2021 - 01.2022
HR Manager / Principal
CG Marketing LLC
01.2012 - 01.2020
Counselor
EMQ Children & Family Services
01.2003 - 01.2007
Sr. HR Generalist / HR Data Analyst
PalmSource, Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2002
HR Representative
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
01.1999 - 01.2002
HR Representative
Hyundai Electronics America
01.1997 - 01.1999
M.A. - Counseling Psychology
Santa Clara University
B.A. - Languages & Philosophy
University of Notre Dame