Cherie M. Fountain
Cypress,Tx
Summary
Strategic Human Resources and People & Culture leader with 20+ years of experience leading employee relations, compliance, leave administration, organizational development, workforce planning, and DEIB initiatives across nonprofit, healthcare, financial services, and emergency medical service environments. Proven ability to partner with executive leadership to navigate complex employee matters, mitigate organizational risk, strengthen workplace culture, and drive people-centered business outcomes. Recognized for building trusted relationships across all levels of an organization while balancing compliance, operational effectiveness, employee experience, and organizational growth. Experienced in leading investigations, performance management, accommodations, leave administration, policy development, talent strategy, change management, and culture initiatives. Passionate about developing inclusive workplaces where employees and organizations can thrive.
Overview
1
1
Certification
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources Manager
Bay Area Community Resources (BACR)
El Cerrito, CA
10.2017 - Current
- Lead Human Resources and DEIB initiatives across a large multi-site nonprofit organization, aligning people practices with organizational values, strategic priorities, and compliance requirements.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and managers on employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, conflict resolution, organizational risk, and employment law compliance.
- Manage complex leave of absence, accommodation, workers' compensation, and return-to-work matters while ensuring compliance with federal and California employment laws.
- Partner with organizational leaders on workforce planning, staffing strategies, succession considerations, and operational continuity during organizational transitions.
- Collaborate with legal counsel, insurance carriers, and external partners on high-risk employee relations matters, investigations, claims management, and litigation-related inquiries.
- Lead the review, development, and implementation of HR policies, procedures, and workplace standards to ensure consistency, equity, and legal compliance.
- Facilitate leadership development, employee relations, compliance, DEIB, and workplace culture training for managers and staff.
- Co-lead organizational DEIB initiatives, including strategic planning efforts and implementation of recommendations designed to strengthen inclusion, belonging, and employee engagement.
- Support organizational culture initiatives through employee engagement, wellness, recognition, and culture-building programs.
- Partner cross-functionally with payroll, finance, operations, legal, and program leadership to ensure consistent and effective people practices across the organization.
- Guide leaders through sensitive personnel decisions, organizational change efforts, employee complaints, and workplace conflict resolution while balancing employee experience and business needs.
Human Resources Generalist
Paramedics Plus
San Leandro, CA
01.2016 - 10.2017
- Lead full-cycle leave of absence administration (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, disability), ensuring compliance and consistent application.
- Serve as a key advisor to leadership on employee relations, investigations, and performance concerns.
- Manage HRIS data integrity including employee status changes, terminations, and reporting.
- Partner with benefits vendors and employees to resolve complex benefits and leave issues.
- Support union grievance processes, unemployment claims, and compliance-related matters.
- Coordinate workplace accommodations and modified duty assignments.
- Facilitate new hire orientations and oversee onboarding processes.
- Administer benefits eligibility, enrollments, and audits including HSA funding and reconciliation.
- Conduct employment verifications and support internal investigations.
- Act as liaison between employees, leadership, and external partners to ensure effective communication and resolution.
Payroll / HR Coordinator
CMG Financial
San Ramon, CA
08.2012 - 12.2015
- Processed payroll for 800+ employees across bi-weekly and semi-monthly cycles.
- Audited and reconciled payroll, commissions, and benefits deductions for accuracy and compliance.
- Provided HR and payroll support, including employment verifications and employee inquiries.
- Designed and implemented process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
- Maintained confidential employee records and supported compliance reporting.
Leave of Absence Specialist (Contract)
Robert Half Management Services (Goodwill Industries)
San Francisco, CA
04.2012 - 05.2012
- Reviewed and resolved backlog of leave of absence cases.
- Determined eligibility and counseled employees on leave rights and options.
- Developed streamlined LOA processes and partnered with internal teams on ADA accommodations.
Human Resources Content Lead
Kaiser Permanente – Human Resource Service Center
Alameda, CA
10.2005 - 04.2009
- Subject matter expert on leave laws, disability, and HR compliance.
- Delivered training to HR teams, managers, and staff on LOA policies and processes.
- Partnered with compliance and finance teams on reporting and governance.
- Resolved escalated employee issues through research and cross-functional collaboration.
Human Resources Interim Manager
Kaiser Permanente – Human Resource Service Center
Alameda, CA
01.2006 - 05.2006
- Supervised a team of 8 HR staff, managing daily operations and performance.
- Led coaching, performance management, and team development efforts.
- Facilitated team meetings, productivity tracking, and operational oversight.
Human Resources Analyst
Kaiser Permanente – Human Resource Service Center
Alameda, CA
04.2001 - 10.2005
- Managed complex leave of absence cases including disability, workers’ compensation, and personal leaves.
- Guided employees and managers on benefits, policies, and compliance requirements.
- Partnered with legal, labor relations, and HR leadership on complex cases.
- Conducted investigations and resolved employee relations issues.
Education
Professional Human Resources Certification - PHR
HR Certification Institution
01-2017
Human Resources Certificate - HR Executive Management
California State University East Bay
01-2010
Courses - Business Writing and Organizational Management
Contra Costa College
01-2008
Skills
- PeopleSoft 88
- ADP
- Paylocity
- Microsoft Office Suites (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook)
- Case Management
- HRIS/Personnel Payroll System (PPS)
- UltiPro
- Workday
- Gmail Office Suites
Affiliations
Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)
Certification
- Ethics Requirement Training - July 2026
Timeline
Human Resources Manager
Bay Area Community Resources (BACR)
10.2017 - Current
Human Resources Generalist
Paramedics Plus
01.2016 - 10.2017
Payroll / HR Coordinator
CMG Financial
08.2012 - 12.2015
Leave of Absence Specialist (Contract)
Robert Half Management Services (Goodwill Industries)
04.2012 - 05.2012
Human Resources Interim Manager
Kaiser Permanente – Human Resource Service Center
01.2006 - 05.2006
Human Resources Content Lead
Kaiser Permanente – Human Resource Service Center
10.2005 - 04.2009
Human Resources Analyst
Kaiser Permanente – Human Resource Service Center
04.2001 - 10.2005
Courses - Business Writing and Organizational Management
Contra Costa College
Human Resources Certificate - HR Executive Management
California State University East Bay
Professional Human Resources Certification - PHR
HR Certification Institution
CORE LEADERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
- Human Resources Leadership
- Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations
- Organizational Development & Change Management
- Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
- Performance Management
- DEIB Strategy & Culture Development
- Leave Administration (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, PDL)
- Compensation & Benefits Administration
- HR Compliance & Risk Management
- Leadership Coaching & Consultation
- Policy Development & Implementation
- Employee Engagement & Retention
- Labor & Employee Relations
- HR Systems & Process Improvement
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Executive partnership
- Employee relations/risk management
- Organizational culture and DEIB
- Change management and workforce transitions