BIANCA THOMAS
Chicago,IL
Summary
- PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY CORE COMPETENCIES Results-driven administrative operations and human resources professional with over seven years of experience in compliance, policy advocacy, and organizational leadership. Demonstrated expertise in managing high-impact programs, ensuring regulatory adherence, and driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. Recognized for fostering strong stakeholder relationships, leading cross-functional teams, and implementing strategic programs to enhance operational efficiency. Known for analytical decision-making, attention to detail, and a commitment to supporting equitable workplace practices.
- Public Policy Advocacy & Legislative Strategy
- Legislative Research & Policy Analysis
- Leadership & Operations Management
- Federal Compliance & Regulatory Affairs
- Stakeholder Management/Engagement
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Crisis Management & Conflict Resolution
- Government Officials & Trade Groups
- Program Development, Management & Evaluation
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Initiatives
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
REHABILITATION COUNSELOR
State of Illinois, Rehabilitation Services
Chicago, IL
04.2024 - Current
- Promoted to Rehabilitation Counselor after successfully serving as Guardianship Representative with the State of Illinois
- Key Accomplishment: Developed advocacy initiatives to streamline services and compliance, resulting in improved support for clients and stronger partnerships with government agencies
- Lead disability advocacy and program coordination for clients with complex medical and disability needs, actively engaging with government agencies and healthcare providers to ensure compliant service delivery
- Enhance legislative initiatives by liaising with employers and healthcare teams on return-to-work accommodation, advocating for clients’ rights and essential services
- Manage disability cases by developing individualized service plans & facilitating access to medical care, therapy, & support services for customers with diverse disabilities to navigate independent living & community engagement
- Analyze complex medical reports (i.e
- Physician statements & surgical notes) to determine eligibility for services
- Facilitate evaluative, restorative, and habilitative services, ensuring coordinated care and community support.
SR CLINICAL ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
United Health Group, Optum | Remote
12.2021 - 03.2024
- Key Accomplishment: Successfully reduced case resolution time, developed compliant case management strategies, and maintained high stakeholder engagement and satisfaction
- Directed high-volume disability case management for over 600 patients, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to meet regulatory and compliance standards
- Negotiated return-to-work initiatives with employers and provided critical updates on legislative and policy changes impacting disability management
- Designed disability management plans, ensuring compliance with medical guidelines & disability plan provisions.
GUARDIANSHIP REPRESENTATIVE
State of Illinois, Office of State Guardian
Chicago, IL
01.2004 - 10.2023
- Built strong advocacy networks by coordinating with legal teams and municipal authorities, which enhanced service quality and legislative compliance
- Managed legal, financial, and medical affairs for adults with disabilities, coordinating complex case management and advocacy efforts with municipal and government officials
- Engaged in quarterly visits and coordinated with municipal authorities and community organizations to ensure wards’ rights and needs were upheld in accordance with legislative guidelines
- Managed assets, processed petitions, and collaborated with legal teams to file critical documents, demonstrating a deep understanding of governmental regulations and stakeholder engagement.
HR CONSULTING MANAGER
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ReZealience Management LLC
Atlanta, GA
08.2019 - 08.2023
- Secured a high success rate in workplace accommodations, organized policy-driven events for stakeholders, and provided impactful guidance on federal ADA regulations
- Drove impactful DE&I initiatives that promoted workplace inclusivity, coordinated outreach programs, and led training sessions to advance understanding of EEO standards
- Established partnerships with industry leaders, enhancing inclusive policy advocacy and securing increased support for underrepresented communities
- Led comprehensive policy reviews to identify and mitigate areas of bias, contributing to a fairer and more equitable workplace environment
- Interfaced with clients across industries to align diversity initiatives with business goals & facilitate inclusive work environments; developed roadmaps to optimize performance in multiple sectors
- Oversaw the end-to-end project management of outreach activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
- Introduced strategic approaches to help companies identify & acquire diverse talent
- Ensured budget compliance and timely delivery of key deliverables; managed DE&I consulting teams, improving operational efficiency, and aligning client diversity goals with business objectives.
COMMUNITY CASE LIAISON
City of Chicago, Office of Police Accountability
Chicago, IL
05.2017 - 12.2019
- Reduced investigative case processing times by 40%, conducted legislative analysis, and provided data-driven insights that informed citywide policy decisions
- Oversaw case management & regulatory compliance, fostering transparency & accountability in high-profile cases
- Engaged with government officials, legislators, and law enforcement on regulatory and policy reforms, strengthening public trust through effective advocacy
- Managed high-profile cases, applying regulatory insights & advocating for policy improvements that enhanced public trust
- Served as a point of contact for media, disseminating high-profile case information to public from initial complaint intake to findings, paralleling disability claims management from initial assessment to final determination.
PROGRAM MANAGER/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
ICU World Ministries
Tallapoosa, GA
04.2012 - 05.2017
- Directed programmatic and administrative functions in support of executive leadership, coordinating high-level events and legislative advocacy efforts
- Suggested & implemented improvements to programs/services; served as executive assistant to CEO
- Arranged large-scale corporate events ensuring smooth operations & goal alignment with executive leadership.
CASE MANAGER/MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
Universal Health Services, Hartgrove Hospital
Chicago, IL
03.2014 - 06.2015
- Planned, directed & evaluated social work services professionally & administratively
- Carried out casework services for a caseload of 50-100 patients weekly on adult & youth psychiatric units
- Asserted patients’ need for services to private insurance and managed care companies to procure payment.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Expected -
University of Illinois
01.2025
Master of Arts - Psychology Conferred
National Louis University
01.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Conferred
Argosy University
01.2012
Skills
- Soft Skills:
- Meticulous attention to detail Excellent communication Empathetic & reflective listening
- Solution-focus problem solving Critical Thinking Emotional Intelligence Analytical Reasoning
- Technical Proficiencies: Microsoft Office Suite QuickBooks Event technology (Cvent) Claims Management Systems
Timeline
REHABILITATION COUNSELOR
State of Illinois, Rehabilitation Services
04.2024 - Current
SR CLINICAL ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
United Health Group, Optum | Remote
12.2021 - 03.2024
HR CONSULTING MANAGER
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ReZealience Management LLC
08.2019 - 08.2023
COMMUNITY CASE LIAISON
City of Chicago, Office of Police Accountability
05.2017 - 12.2019
CASE MANAGER/MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
Universal Health Services, Hartgrove Hospital
03.2014 - 06.2015
PROGRAM MANAGER/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
ICU World Ministries
04.2012 - 05.2017
GUARDIANSHIP REPRESENTATIVE
State of Illinois, Office of State Guardian
01.2004 - 10.2023
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Expected -
University of Illinois
Master of Arts - Psychology Conferred
National Louis University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Conferred
Argosy University
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