Deborah Lewis, SHRM-CP, PHR
Linden,VA
Summary
Positive & proactive HR professional with experience in labor & employee relations, performance management, ethics & compliance, case management systems, HRIS, employee engagement, and talent management. Trusted advisor demonstrating sound judgement and guidance on workplace matters to contribute to a fair and inclusive workplace. Collaborative & consultative with a proven track record of building relationships across all levels of an organization. Creative problem-solver with a keen eye for process improvement. Passionate about enhancing the employee experience and motivating employees to meet company goals.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Labor Relations Supervisor - Investigations
Bechtel Construction Company
Reston, Virginia
03.2025 - Current
- Conducts thorough investigations into Ethics Hotline complaints, EEO and employee relations matters.
- Drafts comprehensive investigation reports and presents findings to senior management and Employment Law attorneys, recommends actions or resolutions.
- Responsible to oversee entire Investigation Program for all union craft personnel at 12 large-scale jobsites across the nation
- Mentors a team of junior site-level investigators
- Collaborates with Labor Relations Management, Global and Site specific HR Partners, and Site Management to address complex employee relations issues and trends within the organization
- Interpret and advise on implementation of company policies and demonstrate impartial, fair, and sound judgement.
- Keeps up to date on employment law, labor relations trends, and best practices.
Labor Relations Senior Specialist
Southern Poverty Law Center
Montgomery, Alabama
01.2025 - 03.2025
- Assisted negotiations team with preparations for upcoming CBA contract negotiations to include analytics, proposals and negotiations strategies
- Conducted ER investigations, presented findings and recommended outcomes.
- Liased between business leaders and labor relations director to address workplace concerns
Labor & Employee Relations Manager
Valiant Integrated Services (Promoted 12/2022)
Herndon, VA
12.2022 - 01.2025
- Served as main POC for the Labor Relations department, interacting directly with 1,000 members & their union representatives from 46 unions nationwide, and their managers.
- Collaborated with Operations Leaders, legal counsel, and CHRO to review and implement human resources strategies for recruiting and retention, talent development, conflict resolution, contract negotiations, and performance management.
- Investigated over 80+ ER & Ethics cases per year; briefed Employee & Labor attorneys, Labor Director and CHRO, recommended appropriate actions.
- Selected by senior leadership to be part of a four-person Kaizen team whose goal was to optimize the company’s new contract award onboarding process.
- Managed a project to transition the method of leave administration for 60 employees, resulting in withdrawal of a grievance that had been unresolved for over 8 months.
- Assisted Director of Labor Relations with 11+ CBA negotiations per year, and managed all CBA documents; Developed strategies to negotiate the best possible terms in labor contracts that will allow managers to perform optimally.
Human Resources Generalist
(Promoted 02/2022)
Herndon, VA
02.2022 - 12.2022
- Investigated 125 Employee Relations & Ethics Cases in under a year, many complex and sensitive in nature.
- Used root cause analysis to identify opportunities to improve HR programs and proposed solutions to increase efficiencies - Led an FLSA audit effort that resulted in reclassification of 20 employees.
- Led a project to correct excessive onboarding errors for a new 150 employee contract in California, resulting in a positive turnaround in union and employee relations and minimizing risk to the company.
- Championed employee engagement and retention initiatives by conducting stay interviews and pulse checks. Conducted exit interviews for all Corporate employees.
- Facilitated "Manager Tools Training" to over 60 people managers. Collaborated with HRBP to develop and execute human resources strategies and meet business objectives based on outcome of this training.
- Established and maintained positive relationships with leadership at all levels and across all functions of organization.
Talent Acquisition Specialist
(07/2021 - 02/2022)
Herndon, VA
07.2021 - 02.2022
- Managed full-cycle recruiting processes for 50+ requisitions at a time, including hiring for 6 positions in senior management, and contributed to a positive onboarding experience for new-hires
- Trained and mentored other recruiters and hiring managers in successful strategies for interviewing and successfully hiring candidates.
Payroll Administrator & HR Assistant
Chesapeake Bay Seafood House Associates L.L.C.
Vienna, VA
09.2019 - 07.2021
- Managed payroll, onboarding and employee relations for 1,400 employees at 26 Chili's franchise locations in the Mid-Atlantic.
Regional Sales Manager - Northeast & Mid Atlantic
Coffee & Bagel Brands
Lakewood, CO
05.2018 - 09.2019
- Customer facing event sales for 27 Einstein Bros. Bagels locations in the NE and Mid-Atlantic; Improved customer satisfaction by 30% by building relationships, routinely re-assessing needs and proactively resolving issues.
Catering Account Executive
Cosi, Inc.
Washington DC Metro Area & Baltimore
03.2013 - 05.2018
- Supported 12 locations in the Washington DC/Baltimore area with sales and HR support; Mentored and trained a team of 5 account executives.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Human Resources
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VASkills
- EEO & Workplace Investigations
- Labor Relations
- Conflict Resolution & Mediation
- Root Cause Analysis
- Performance Management
- Employment Laws
- Collaborative Relationship Building
- Case Management Systems
- Collective Bargaining
Future Goals
*SHRM-SCP Certification - estimated Spring 2026
*SPHR Certification - estimated Fall 2027
Timeline
Labor Relations Supervisor - Investigations
Bechtel Construction Company
03.2025 - Current
Labor Relations Senior Specialist
Southern Poverty Law Center
01.2025 - 03.2025
Labor & Employee Relations Manager
Valiant Integrated Services (Promoted 12/2022)
12.2022 - 01.2025
Human Resources Generalist
(Promoted 02/2022)
02.2022 - 12.2022
Talent Acquisition Specialist
(07/2021 - 02/2022)
07.2021 - 02.2022
Payroll Administrator & HR Assistant
Chesapeake Bay Seafood House Associates L.L.C.
09.2019 - 07.2021
Regional Sales Manager - Northeast & Mid Atlantic
Coffee & Bagel Brands
05.2018 - 09.2019
Catering Account Executive
Cosi, Inc.
03.2013 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Human Resources
Liberty University
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