Dawn Wallace
Los Angeles,USA
Summary
Results-oriented HR executive with a focus on change management and workforce planning. Expertise in regulatory compliance, process improvement, and HRIS implementation, contributing to significant operational enhancements. History of boosting employee retention and morale while reducing costs through targeted training initiatives. Valued member of executive teams with a strong ability to develop and implement strategic programs.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Administrative Officer
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
03.2020 - 02.2026
- Enlisted from an outside organization to modernize and improve Human Resources and Facilities processes.
- Preside over operations encompassing human resources, benefits administration, risk management, and facilities management.
- Department of twelve staff members, directly supervising HR Manager and Facilities Manager.
- Advise and partner with executive leadership as well as supervisory personnel on disciplinary actions and workforce strategy.
- Administer, compile data, and develop action plan to share results of annual compensation, benefit, and employee satisfaction surveys.
- Represented JFSLA as lead negotiator of employment contracts between union and agency management, securing optimal agreements.
- Conducted a complete overhaul of performance evaluation process to promote collaboration and a focus on goals.
- Administer agency benefits program, including medical, dental, vision and ancillary plans, as well as 401K, and 457B retirement plans.
- Created and implemented comprehensive leadership program with a focus on core values.
- Implemented DEIB strategy through training and development of agency wide processes and procedures that focus on core values to create a sense of belonging and inclusion.
- Updated/revised policies and procedures for programs strategically designed based on objectives of the Agency and Board of Directors.
- Shepherded agency through COVID-19. Immediately developed and implemented COVID-19 and Telework policies and procedures, both for staff and facilities usage.
- Oversee management of all property maintenance/improvement and new building projects.
- Implemented facilities management system, allowing us to manage our 12 buildings and assets more efficiently and effectively.
- Non-profit organization whose mission is to provide life-changing social services that help the people of Los Angeles live with dignity and exercise Self-determination. JFSLA has an annual budget of approximately $46M with 300 employees.
Director of Human Resources and Administration
TreePeople Inc.
Beverly Hills, CA
04.2019 - 03.2020
- Enlisted to resolve several critical issues including employee morale issues resulting in a 25% turnover rate.
- Preside over all HR and Administrative operation, including human resources, risk management, information technology and facilities administration.
- Directly supervise IT Manager and Director of Park Operations.
- Responsible for benefits and liability insurances management, worker’s compensation, personnel recruitment/retention initiatives, and establishing processes and procedures to modernize and professionalize human resource and administrative functions.
- Within the first 90 days, revised and distributed the new employee handbook, and completed forensic review outstanding issues with benefit deductions and vacation accrual balances.
- Worked closely with the Board of Directors and CEO on successful merger, making TreePeople the steward of the largest land trust in Southern California.
- Created evaluation process and new employee orientation program.
- Developed and implemented process for tracking timesheet allocations for multiple contracts.
- Saved $6,000.00 annually in consolidating liability insurance.
- Streamlined procedures and processes for open enrollment for benefits.
- Non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the environment.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Amanecer Community Counseling Services
Los Angeles, CA
08.2005 - 03.2019
- Enlisted from outside organization to resolve several critical issues including significant debt, low morale, and staff turnover rate of nearly 50%.
- Preside over all HR operations encompassing risk management, quality assurance, and facilities administration.
- Directly supervise Quality Assurance Manager, HR Generalist, and HR Assistant.
- Steer personnel recruitment/retention initiatives and recordkeeping activities.
- Hold full responsibility for compensation and wage classification, workers’ compensation, and benefits management.
- Advise and partner with executive leadership as well as supervisory personnel on disciplinary actions and workforce strategy.
- Administer, compile data, and develop action plan to share results of annual compensation, benefit, and employee satisfaction surveys.
- Within 90 days of hiring, shepherded organization through closure of one of the agency’s programs and layoff of 15 employees to reduce $500K in debt while minimizing effect on staff morale and orchestrating office move due to separate facility matter.
- Introduced employee retention practices that generated 24% reduction in staff turnover.
- Instrumental in creating an environment that is supportive to nurturing internal talent.
- Authored and implemented advanced training curriculum for management personnel as well as new employee evaluation process with focus on goals and the measurement of individual assets.
- Minimized exposure to litigation, by employing creative and thoughtful solutions to employee relations issues.
- Strengthened and expanded employee benefits package including rolling out 403(b) retirement savings option.
- Acted as Interim Executive Director and CFO for three months, during transition of key staff.
- Enhanced organization’s infrastructure and records management capabilities by installing/maintaining new HRIS.
- Manage all tenant improvement and new building projects. Tasks include space planning and overseeing construction, tenant improvements and working with vendors.
- Non-profit agency supplying mental health services to underserved children, families, and adults with 145 employees and $12.9M annual budget.
HR Supervisor
Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services
Los Angeles, CA
01.2000 - 01.2005
- Directed an HR team of five and guided daily HR functions.
- Oversaw/participated in staff recruitment and regulated workers’ compensation, benefits, and recordkeeping tasks.
- Delivered consultation to administrative and managerial employees concerning discipline/terminations.
- Significantly improved performance on annual audit by upgrading records management procedures.
- Played critical role in creation and rollout of desk manuals for all HR personnel.
- Collaborated with CFO to establish position control system, guaranteeing compliance with financial objectives and optimizing budget administration.
- Enhanced relations with internal customers by cross-training HR staff to fulfill multiple functions/responsibilities.
- Designed and facilitated new hire orientation program.
- Achieved all turnaround goals by streamlining recruiting and hiring process.
- Delivered well-received training on interviewing techniques for supervisors/managers.
- Provider of community-based services encompassing education, mental health, autism, adoption, residential treatment, prevention, and early intervention programs serving 6K children and families per year with 500 employees and an annual budget of $32M.
Personnel Technician II
State of Nevada Department of Mental Health & Developmental Services
Carson City, NV
01.1997 - 01.2000
- Assisted State Personnel Officer in administering HR processes including handling payroll, responding to union grievances and EEOC/ADA complaints, and reviewing reclassification requests and special salary adjustments.
- Examined, revised, and approved disciplinary actions for multiple departments.
- Acted as Division Safety Officer.
- Served as division’s legislative liaison, analyzing and monitoring approximately 50 pieces of legislation and coordinating meetings between division employees and state legislators.
- Assisted division’s CFO with the development of personnel portion of budget, during the bi-annual budget process.
- State agency with more than 1K employees, 7 agencies, 2 psychiatric hospitals and 23 rural clinics providing mental health services, and 2 regional centers as well as 15 rural locations aiding individuals with developmental disabilities.
Education
B.S. - Political Science
Willamette University
Salem, ORSkills
- Employee relations
- Risk management
- Benefits administration
- Approachable leader
- Strategic partnerships
- Needs assessment
- Project management
- Performance evaluation
- Strategic planning
- Workforce planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Process improvement
- HRIS implementation
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Leadership training and development
- ADP Workforce Now
- Microsoft Office Suite
Certification
- Coaching Competencies Program Certificate, International Coach Federation (ICF)
- HR Generalist Certificate, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Timeline
Chief Administrative Officer
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles
03.2020 - 02.2026
Director of Human Resources and Administration
TreePeople Inc.
04.2019 - 03.2020
Chief Human Resources Officer
Amanecer Community Counseling Services
08.2005 - 03.2019
HR Supervisor
Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services
01.2000 - 01.2005
Personnel Technician II
State of Nevada Department of Mental Health & Developmental Services
01.1997 - 01.2000
B.S. - Political Science
Willamette University