Brenda Stokes
North Adams,MA
Summary
Accomplished Human Resources Executive with a proactive approach to addressing company issues through creative and innovative strategies. Skilled at staying informed about the ever-evolving industry and employment market demands. Expertise in benefits administration, compensation structuring, and recruitment, enabling effective management of diverse HR functions.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President Human Resources
Fedrigoni Special Papers North America
02.2024 - Current
- Facilitated employee transition to global company
- Integrated policies and procedures with global company
- Integrate people strategy at local level
- Employer Union representative with grievance and negotiation knowledge.
- Spearheaded succession planning initiatives to identify emerging leaders within the organization and prepare them for future roles.
- Established strong relationships with business partners, enabling seamless collaboration on cross-functional initiatives.
- Enhanced employee retention by implementing effective talent acquisition and onboarding strategies.
- Increased employee engagement through strategic initiatives such as regular town hall meetings, open-door policies, and transparent communication channels.
- Led the successful merger of two corporate HR departments, resulting in a unified team and improved synergy.
Vice President Human Resources
Mohawk Fine Papers
08.2020 - 02.2024
- Continually assess the competitiveness of all programs and practices against the relevant comparable companies, industries and markets
- Maintain credibility throughout the organization with management and the employees in order to be an effective listener and problem solver of people issues
- Enhance and/or develop, implement and enforce human resources policies and procedures of the organization by way of systems that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the corporation
- In particular, manage the human resource information systems database and necessary reports for critical analyses
- Continue improving the programs, policies, practices and processes associated with meeting the strategic and operational people issues of the organization
- Develop comprehensive strategic recruiting and retention plans to meet the Human Capital needs of the organization
- Direct onboarding efforts for a smooth transition of all new hires
- Fiduciary responsibility for all Retirement Plans as Plan Administer.
- Spearheaded succession planning initiatives to identify emerging leaders within the organization and prepare them for future roles.
- Established strong relationships with business partners, enabling seamless collaboration on cross-functional initiatives.
Director of Human Resources
Mohawk Fine Papers
08.2020 - 09.2023
- Ensure the HR team complies with all US and NY employment laws and regulations
- Oversee all recruiting processes
- Budget Management
- Develop and implement HR policies and procedures to support the company’s needs
- Work with senior management to align HR strategies with overall goals of company
- Employer Union representative
- Build and support positive company culture amongst all departments.
- Directed each phase of hiring process, encompassing employment verification, employee relations investigations, criminal background checks and onboarding.
- Maintained "open door" policy to encourage employee communications and resolution of issues.
- Coordinated and worked with management on performance evaluations, supervisory practices, dispute resolution, and employee accountability.
- Maintained human resources regulatory compliance with local, state and federal laws.
- Managed complex employee relations issues, reducing legal risks and maintaining a positive work environment.
- Maintained optimal staffing levels by tracking vacancies and initiating recruitment and interview processes to identify qualified candidates.
- Managed the onboarding process, providing new hires with necessary tools for success from day one.
Director of Human Resources
Crane Stationery, LLC
11.2019 - 02.2024
- Provide personnel policy and procedure guidance to employees and management
- Responsible for coordinating employee benefits and payroll processes
- Develop and implement processes and tools that foster open communication & employee satisfaction
- Support and lead change initiatives to help promote an innovative future
- Implement positive employee relations processes that support business and employee needs
- Effectively recruit, train and develop high quality candidates motivated to achieve productivity and business objectives
- Responsible for effectively identifying, investigating and resolving employee relations issues, resolving complex labor and human capital challenges
- Facilitate timely completion of new hire, annual review and performance improvement plans
- Ensure compliance with local, state and federal employment laws and regulations.
- Managed the onboarding process, providing new hires with necessary tools for success from day one.
- Directed each phase of hiring process, encompassing employment verification, employee relations investigations, criminal background checks and onboarding.
- Maintained "open door" policy to encourage employee communications and resolution of issues.
Director of Human Resources
Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
09.2013 - 11.2019
- Responsible for coordinating employee benefits and payroll processes
- Coordinates Employee Events, Employee Relation Champion
- Assists in the resolution of employee relations issues/concerns
- Coordinates facility recruitment efforts and on-boarding process as it relates to Human Resources
- Maintains employee personnel files in accordance with associated regulations and assures a system of performance evaluation
- Reviews all hired employee records for completeness ie, reference checks, employment history, required licenses, conducts CORI checks
- Supervise completion of weekly payroll on a timely basis to meet Corporate Payroll Department deadlines
- Expedites claims for Workers' Compensation, Department of Industrial Accidents
- Completes monthly report on industrial accidents and is chairperson for monthly EOC/Safety meeting
- Completes and maintains OSHA log
- Completes forms from DET Office for terminated employees, presents testimony when an appeal is indicated
- Serves as the Equal Opportunity Officer and helps address any Sexual Harassment or discrimination complaints that might arise
- Assists employees with filing for leaves under the Family Medical Leave Act
- Prepares payroll in the absence of the payroll clerk.
Employment Services Manager/Executive Assistant
Academy at Swift River
10.2004 - 09.2013
- Perform all human resource functions for therapeutic boarding school (ASR)
- Prepare and post job displays online websites and news print
- Perform review of resumes, conduct phone interviews, conduct in person interviews
- Prepare and submit to corporate office all new hire paperwork
- Conduct background and reference checks on potential employees
- Orient new hires to program and policies of ASR
- Liaison with corporate office for employee benefit program
- Prepare and submit payroll to corporate office
- Work with departments on employee training, employee improvement plans, supervision
- Spearhead employee relation groups, yearly employee performance reviews and employee engagement surveys
- Assist Executive Director & Clinical Director with day to day responsibilities of operating a college preparatory boarding school for troubled teenagers
- Coordinate daily schedules, travel arrangements, expense reports, internal & external correspondence
- Coordinate all workshops and special events on campus (graduations, parent seminars)
- Member of the ASR Leadership Team
- Liaison between corporate office in California and on campus staff
- Instrumental in bringing our policies & procedures up to the required standards to allow ASR to achieve state licensing approval and CARF accreditation
- Working knowledge of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education & Care licensing regulations
- Working knowledge of CARF Regulations
- Attended CARF training in San Diego, CA and a week of training in Cerritos, CA with Ruth Moore and the CARF team
- Working knowledge of BestNotes Electronic Medical Record system at ASR & many Aspen facilities
- Parent check in coordinator
- Compliance & Risk Manager
- Supervise clerical support staff
- Assist Admissions Department with initial inquiry calls, touring families around campus, enrollments when needed.
Admission Counselor
Academy at Swift River
10.2002 - 10.2004
- Responsible for working with families in crisis to help make proper determination as to whether their child is appropriate for our therapeutic boarding school
- Speaking with families on the phone, meeting with parents and potential students to share with them program information
- Conducted tours of facility with potential families
- Developed communication and relationships with interdisciplinary departments within the facility to ensure positive parent & patient experience upon admission
- Developed communication and relationships with Educational Consultants, including attending Marketing Functions such as IECA
- Attended Aspen Admission training in Las Vegas
- Review of academic and psychological records to help determine if child is appropriate fit for acceptance prior to giving file to Admission Director for final approval
- Developed communication and relationships with Aspen Wilderness programs admission and clinical staff as well as support staff for clear continuum of care from one facility to the next
- Maintained Daily and Monthly Census reports.
Admission Assistant
Academy at Swift River
01.2002 - 10.2002
- First contact for families in crisis to gather information and give a brief overview of ASR
- Schedule phone appointments and tours for Admissions Staff
- Processed enrollment paperwork and responsible for main student file
- Maintained Daily and Monthly Census reports
- Maintained database of potential & enrolled students
- Correspondence via email to families, mailed brochures, daily upkeep of admissions suite.
Finance Administrator
ESCO Energy Services Company
05.2000 - 10.2001
- Day to day activity of all financial accounting including responsibility of processing all accounts receivable/accounts payable
- Processed employee payroll thru ADP
- Other secretarial & office duties as needed.
Office Manager
J. Watson Co. Inc.
05.1993 - 04.2000
- Day to day activity of all construction company activities – answering phones, processing estimates, purchase orders and billing
- Processed accounts payable & accounts receivable for construction company and rental property
- Processed employee payroll in house
- Worked with Life Insurance & Health Insurance providers to provide coverage for all employees
- Managed 20+ rental properties
- Converted the office from hard copy paper to computer systems.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Major -
University of New Hampshire
Skills
- Employee Relations
- HR policies and procedures
- Global HR experience
- Organizational Development
- Recruitment Strategies
- Benefits Administration
- Employment law
- Labor Relations
- Payroll Administration
- Recordkeeping
Timeline
Vice President Human Resources
Fedrigoni Special Papers North America
02.2024 - Current
Vice President Human Resources
Mohawk Fine Papers
08.2020 - 02.2024
Director of Human Resources
Mohawk Fine Papers
08.2020 - 09.2023
Director of Human Resources
Crane Stationery, LLC
11.2019 - 02.2024
Director of Human Resources
Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
09.2013 - 11.2019
Employment Services Manager/Executive Assistant
Academy at Swift River
10.2004 - 09.2013
Admission Counselor
Academy at Swift River
10.2002 - 10.2004
Admission Assistant
Academy at Swift River
01.2002 - 10.2002
Finance Administrator
ESCO Energy Services Company
05.2000 - 10.2001
Office Manager
J. Watson Co. Inc.
05.1993 - 04.2000
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Major -
University of New Hampshire
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