Abby Gardner
Willoughby
Summary
Strategic HR leader with a proven record of managing HR operations for over 12,000 employees. Reduced attrition and improved employee engagement through targeted initiatives. Leverages legal expertise in investigations and conflict resolution to enhance organizational performance. Skilled in analyzing metrics to inform HR decision-making and resolve conflicts effectively.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Human Resources Manager
AMAZON
10.2022 - Current
- Lead a team of 39 HR professionals supporting five buildings and 12,000+ employees across four business lines.
- Reduced attrition by 4.07% and 6.25% at two large fulfillment centers, resulting in an estimated $20M in annual savings.
- Conducted and supervised complex corporate and personnel investigations for site and entire network with a myriad of subjects from workplace violence to theft and fraud.
- Conducted root cause analyses for both investigation cases and accidents and led site and regional responses including policy changes, training and communications.
- Enhanced performance in three underperforming buildings by resetting priorities and implementing engagement plans.
- Restructured HR staffing across buildings to optimize coverage and customer service, resulting in 22.5% improvement in internal customer service survey at lowest scoring building.
HR Manager
AMAZON
05.2021 - 10.2022
- Directed a team of 16 HR professionals for a large fulfillment center, serving as the primary strategic partner for site operations.
- Rebuilt HR-Operations relationship, transitioning team to network-standard work practices to enhance collaboration and efficiency.
- HR Leader for a specialty team of two vice presidents, five directors and 28 managers that led building launches, trainings and technology updates for the entire customer service network for North America.
- Designed team structure, created job descriptions and career paths, led talent initiatives, and developed employee life cycle, enabling managers to cycle in and out of specialized group in three years.
- Led site initiatives on leadership training, focusing on communications and high judgment.
- Led the regional talent review process for Operations for the entire time in this role.
Senior HR Business Partner
AMAZON
09.2019 - 05.2021
- Led initiatives that enhanced site attrition and engagement while improving attendance.
- Established HR standards for site by calibrating disciplinary action levels, conducting organizational health reviews, and developing engagement plans and ownership of projects.
- Managed approximately 65 site investigations monthly, ensuring thorough resolution and compliance.
- Led Site HR COVID response and created regional guidelines and operating procedures regarding notifications, leaves for exposure and disciplinary actions for failure to comply with safety rules.
- Executed sitewide initiatives for high-volume events to enhance employee engagement and participation.
- Led the night HR team through all training and the site launch.
Senior HR Business Partner, Core Talent Solutions
BASF
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Led significant improvements to the BASF North American succession planning process.
- Owned employee development process, aligning with business units’ needs and BASF talent landscape.
- Developed business specific talent review and performance management processes and targeted coaching.
- Created North American Leadership Assimilation process to enhance communication and team integration for new leaders.
- Designed 'pulse check' initiative for North American Core Talent Solutions Team, facilitating 25 focus groups to gather insights.
- Managed team of 20 employees across the country and 10 others across globe to ensure business goals were achieved.
- Resolved complex investigations for various business units beyond my primary role.
- Presented new process to leadership and trained my colleagues to deliver the module to their business units.
Senior HR Business Partner
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE
01.2009 - 01.2017
- Partnered with business leadership in 85 House Counsel offices to deliver consistent programs and guidelines, driving process improvement and effective organizational change management.
- Conducted many in-depth employee investigations and collaborated with leadership up to C-Suite to resolve issues.
- Consulted on and reviewed disciplinary actions; investigated employee grievances and conducted employee interviews to ensure fair and compliant resolutions.
- Developed and implemented 'Manager Bootcamp,' a three-day tactical training program for managers, enhancing their capabilities to lead teams effectively.
- Developed 'Leadership Academy,' a selective, intensive leadership program for individual contributors who have an interest in and show promise for leadership to develop candidates for succession planning.
- Regularly facilitated the HR section of 'Leadership Launch,' the new manager training, for the entire company.
- Supported large call centers with 24/7 operations and non-exempt populations.
Senior Legal Auditor
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Reviewed internal and outside counsel files, including trial and arbitration files, to evaluate legal work quality and identify risks to Progressive and its insureds.
- Conducted special audit projects, reviewing PIP files and defense costs across jurisdictions, while developing audit team standards and procedures.
- Evaluated internal controls to identify areas for improvement and risk mitigation.
Senior Associate Attorney
GALLAGHER SHARP
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Litigation attorney specializing in professional liability and insurance coverage.
- Investigated diverse legal cases, including estate law, real property law, and medical malpractice, to build strong legal strategies.
- Litigation attorney in the professional liability and insurance coverage groups.
- Took and defended depositions of lay and expert witnesses across various legal matters, ensuring comprehensive case preparation.
- Oversaw daily activities of support staff to enhance productivity.
Education
Juris Doctorate -
Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Cleveland, OHMasters of Public Administration - Public Health Concentration
Maxine Levine College
Cleveland, OHBachelor of Arts -
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OHSkills
- HR core competencies
- Employment law expertise
- FMLA compliance
- ADA accommodations
- DOL regulations
- GINA compliance
- EEOC hearings and mediations
- Investigations
- Accident investigations
- HR leadership
- Process improvement
- Organizational change management
- Talent development
- Project management
- Business unit startup and closure
- Succession planning
- Leadership pipeline
- Team assessment leadership
- Performance management
- Employee orientation
- HR leadership and employee development
- Certified EQi leader
- Korn Ferry VIA edge learning agility
- Team assessment leadership (MBTI, DiSC, StrengthsFinder, EQi)
- Strategy and risk management
- Problem solving
- Risk management
- Strategic thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Strategic thinking
- Accident investigations
Employment Law Experience
- FLMA protections
- ADA accommodations
- DOL regulations
- GINA
- EEOC Hearings/Mediations
- Unemployment Compensation
- Foreign National Sponsorship
- Company Representative in Lawsuits
Hr Core Competencies
- Strategy and Risk Management
- Process/Continuous Improvement
- Investigations
- Organizational Change Management
- Organizational Design
- Project Management
- Problem Solving
- Business Unit Startup and Discontinuation
- HR Leadership/Employee Development
- Succession Planning
- Leadership Pipeline
- Talent Reviews and Development
- Performance Management
- Developed and Implemented 'Manager Bootcamp' and other leadership trainings
- Developed and Implemented 'Leadership Academy' for aspiring leaders
- HR Facilitator for multiple trainings.
- Employee Orientation
- Certified Leader of EQi. Korn Ferry Via Edge-Learning Agility
- Team Assessment Leader (MBTI, DISC, StrengthsFinder, EQi)
Timeline
Senior Human Resources Manager
AMAZON
10.2022 - Current
HR Manager
AMAZON
05.2021 - 10.2022
Senior HR Business Partner
AMAZON
09.2019 - 05.2021
Senior HR Business Partner, Core Talent Solutions
BASF
01.2017 - 01.2019
Senior HR Business Partner
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE
01.2009 - 01.2017
Senior Legal Auditor
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE
01.2006 - 01.2009
Senior Associate Attorney
GALLAGHER SHARP
01.2002 - 01.2006
Juris Doctorate -
Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Masters of Public Administration - Public Health Concentration
Maxine Levine College
Bachelor of Arts -
Ohio Wesleyan University