Allyson Therien
St. Paul,Minnesota
Summary
Human Resources Executive with 20 years of progressive HR experience and advanced knowledge of employment law, compensation, recruitment and employee relations. Engages with HR service providers and suppliers on HR systems, payroll, insurance and training and development to promote high performing organization with efficient operating systems, professional and skilled staff and sound financial resources. Maintains strong stakeholder focus and service-oriented attitude with excellent organization and interpersonal skills to excel in multi-cultural environment.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Human Resources
The Center for Victims of Torture
2021.06 - 2023.12
- Served in the interim position from June 2021 to March 2022 and appointed Director in March 2022
- Scope of work included managing 4+ direct reports, prioritizing on-going work and special projects, supporting HR team members in talent acquisition efforts, collaborating with international program managers on hiring/renewal of expatriate or third-country national employees, supporting managers and employees with employee relations concerns, ensuring employee benefits are administered in a smooth and cost-effective manner, updating and analyzing job descriptions in order to set compensation, updating processes, documenting practices, planning and facilitating staff meetings and manager trainings, creating policies, consulting with attorneys, carrying out compliance obligations, and serving on the Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council
- Recent significant projects included co-leading the implementation of the organization’s first Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Ceridian Dayforce, hiring a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to enable U.S.-based departments to hire employees to work from countries where CVT is not registered as an employer, creating the organization’s first global compensation philosophy, and creating state-specific employee handbooks for employees working across 20+ different states.
HR Generalist
The Center for Victims of Torture
2015.05 - 2021.06
- Talent Acquisition: Facilitate hiring process from recruitment to offer for a variety of US-based positions, working in partnership with hiring managers
- Create/update job descriptions, engage in analysis and job grade assignment
- Engage in workforce planning within the Human Resources department and with managers
- Performance Management: As part of the HR department, updated traditional 360 review to a modern performance management structure in 2016, which includes annual goal-setting, goal check-ins, and monthly feedback conversations between managers and direct reports
- Provide training and set expectations for employees and managers on an on-going basis
- Employee Relations: Support managers and employees when performance concerns or disagreements arise
- Engage in progressive discipline process with managers and employees when appropriate
- Lead or collaborate in internal investigations, including conducting interviews, creating documentation, and consulting with counsel
- Compensation: Conduct analysis for setting salaries for new hires using a Hays model
- Assist in analysis and decision-making when requests for salary increases are made
- Training & Development: Plan and co-facilitate monthly manager training sessions and monthly staff meetings on a variety of topics from anti-harassment training to best practices for working in a remote environment
- Special Projects: Collaborated on whistleblower policy and securing third party reporting mechanism, significant revision to Employee Handbook in 2016 and revision of Expatriate Handbook
- Cross-Departmental Committees: Co-led the organization’s first diversity, equity, and inclusion committee from January 2017- September 2020
- Participated on Action Learning Project Team on Hiring.
VP of Internal Resources
The Gathering Place
2013.10 - 2014.10
- Led the Internal Resources department (the HR and Operations departments merged in 2013), including managing four direct reports, budgeting, planning, and decision-making
- Department included evaluation, facilities, accounting, IT, and HR functions
- While in this role, I maintained almost all of my previous responsibilities from the VP of HR position.
VP of HR
The Gathering Place
2008.10 - 2013.10
- Benefits Administration, Payroll, Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Board Support, Staff Management, Special Projects, Unemployment Administration, Training & Development, Workers’ Compensation Administration, Cross-Departmental Committees.
Human Resources Director
The Gathering Place
2007.01 - 2008.01
Human Resources Manager
The Gathering Place
2006.01 - 2007.01
Operations Associate
The Gathering Place
2004.01 - 2006.01
Holiday Coordinator
The Gathering Place
2003.01 - 2004.01
Education
Master of Nonprofit Management -
Regis University
Denver, Colorado12.2007
BA in Secondary Education -
Gustavus Adolphus College
St Peter, Minnesota12.2000
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Employee Relations
- Workforce Planning
- Compensation & Benefits Programs
- Talent Acquisition & Retention
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy
- Performance Evaluation
- Compliance & Records Management
Certification
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR), 2009-01-01, 2022-12-31
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), 2021-04-01, present
other
Toastmaster’s International- WilderSide Club, 2017-03-01, 2023-08-31
volunteer experience
- CASA MN- District 2 (Ramsey County), St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016-01-01, 2021-12-31, A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is appointed by a judge in child protection court cases to gather information for the court and make recommendations regarding a child/the children’s best interest. This work entails volunteering with the children of one family at a time for a period of about 18 months.
- Spirit of Hope Methodist Church, Englewood, Colorado, 2006-01-01, 2014-12-31, This food bank was started as the final project for my master’s degree.
- Urban Servant Corps Board of Directors, Denver, Colorado, 2012-01-01, 2014-12-31, Served in Vice Chair and Chair roles during my time on the board
- The Delores Project, Denver, Colorado, 2012-01-01, 2014-12-31, The Delores Project works with individuals experiencing barriers to housing to identify their path to stability. By providing shelter, housing, and supportive services, The Delores Project works alongside individuals as they overcome barriers and challenges.
- Urban Servant Corps, Denver, Colorado, 2001-01-01, 2002-01-01, Urban Servant Corps (USC) is a one-year full-time Lutheran volunteer program. Volunteers commit to living in an intentional community and embrace values of simplicity and spirituality as they serve at Denver nonprofits. USC positions are at agencies that provide immediate and direct care service as well as those who advocate for lasting solutions and long-term social change. USC was an AmeriCorps affiliate when I did the program.
Timeline
Director of Human Resources
The Center for Victims of Torture
2021.06 - 2023.12
HR Generalist
The Center for Victims of Torture
2015.05 - 2021.06
VP of Internal Resources
The Gathering Place
2013.10 - 2014.10
VP of HR
The Gathering Place
2008.10 - 2013.10
Human Resources Director
The Gathering Place
2007.01 - 2008.01
Human Resources Manager
The Gathering Place
2006.01 - 2007.01
Operations Associate
The Gathering Place
2004.01 - 2006.01
Holiday Coordinator
The Gathering Place
2003.01 - 2004.01
Master of Nonprofit Management -
Regis University
BA in Secondary Education -
Gustavus Adolphus College
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR), 2009-01-01, 2022-12-31
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), 2021-04-01, present
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