Debra Poole
Williston,SC
Summary
Strategic business partner with strong focus on achieving results and fostering team collaboration. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and client relationship management. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic environments. Prepared to deliver impactful solutions and drive success in any HR advisory role.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr HR Advisor, Investigations
NextEra Energy Resources
07.2022 - 10.2025
- Conduct workplace investigations by looking into complaints such as harassment (sexual or hostile), discrimination, retaliation, bullying, arrests, and violations such as fraud, theft, and ethical issues
- Would multi-task and manage between 10 to 15 cases at a time
- Interview the person who made the complaint, the accused employee(s), and all witnesses. Gather all documentation such as emails, texts, video footage, or documents
- Analyze all evidence and information obtained during the interviews
- Write detailed investigation report including what the allegations were, evidence reviewed, credibility of each party, findings and conclusions, and recommendations
- Manage investigation timelines for successful completion, ensuring metrics were met and deadlines were adhered to
- Advise leadership which involves briefing managers, HR executives, and the legal department on what action should be taken such as discipline, training etc.
- Ensure legal compliance and help protect the company from lawsuits by following federal and state employment laws, maintaining confidentiality, and keeping investigations neutral and unbiased
- Train managers and HR staff on how to document issues and conduct investigations, how to handle complaints, and how to avoid creating liability
- Co-facilitate HR Business Unit Advisor Education Learning Series on best practices during the investigation process at least six times yearly
- Create the process guide and flowchart for inappropriate browsing and for data movement
- Identify trends to maximize training opportunities for leadership to improve workplace culture (collaborated with Legal, Internal Affairs, Corporate Security, and Cyber Security)
- Explore AI solutions and useful ways to increase efficiency in the investigation process
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement innovative solutions and process improvements
- Serve on the Racial Equity Working Team
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Coordinator
Augusta-Richmond County, City of Augusta
03.2020 - 07.2022
- Analyze and evaluate complaints of discrimination as prohibited by Equal Employment Opportunity federal, state, and local laws, orders, and regulations
- Maintain effective relationships with the administrator, deputy administrators, human resources, department directors, management, elected officials, attorneys, and employees to provide insight, decisions, and resolutions relative to EEO matters in a culturally diverse work force
- Counsel employee's having potential EEO complaints and work with employees and management to resolve EEO problems informally; lead meditations when needed for conflict resolution
- Conduct formal investigations: Interview claimants, respondents, and witnesses to obtain evidence to resolve issues relevant to allegations of discrimination; compile and prepare reports of findings and recommendations for the resolution of the complaint
- Manage investigation timelines for successful completion, ensuring metrics were met and deadlines were adhered to
- Assist attorneys in preparing defense of EEOC discrimination cases or legal settlements involving discrimination
- Develop and conduct trainings that pertain to EEO, sexual harassment, and diversity, equity, and inclusion; provide strategic advisement to higher level management and directors in planning and identifying training needs and proactively minimizing discrimination cases
- Participate in hiring interviews for all management level and higher positions as the objective monitor in the county's interview process for competitive job postings
- Prepare quarterly reports for the Compliance Director and prepare and perform data collection for the EEO-4 biennial report
- Attend meetings and participate as a representative on special committees and task forces related to EEO/Diversity issues
Compensation Analyst II
Augusta-Richmond County, City of Augusta
10.2017 - 03.2020
- Plan, develop, administer, and manage the organization's overall job classification and compensation administrative services
- Design, plan, and implement Augusta, GA compensation programs, policies, and procedures; ensure compliance with FLSA, ADA, ADEA, and Equal Pay Act
- Provide strategic compensation advisement to management
- Develop and maintain accuracy of job descriptions in automated system and maintain job description database
- Research comparable job pay in the marketplace and develop competitive salary and benefit structures
- Evaluate and analyze salary data, determine pay grades, and conduct salary surveys
- Conducted market research to benchmark salaries against other government standards
- Conducted training sessions on compensation policies and practices
Aiken Area Coordinator/Instructor
Limestone College
08.2016 - 10.2017
- Instructed college level courses to multiple campuses
- Provided marketing and student recruitment leadership
- Advised and enrolled students for classes
- Maintained facilities and supervised staff
Temporary Site Recruiter
Sitel
04.2016 - 07.2016
- Interview prospective employers for non-exempt positions utilizing behavioral interviewing questions
- Coordinate appropriate match of applicant skills to job responsibilities
- Partner with management to understand and anticipate recruiting needs and proactively ensure applicant flow
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify staffing needs and optimize recruitment efforts
- Implement applicant tracking system enhancements which increased efficiency in the management of candidates
- Supported retention building activities to achieve and maintain related goals
- Conducted training on behavioral interviewing techniques to management
Human Resources Director
Cannon Memorial Hospital
07.1998 - 12.1998
- Manage the efficient operation of all functions that fall under Human Resources: compensation and benefits, workers compensation, safety, employee relations, training, and recruitment
- Manage and direct HR staff and their activities
- Advise department directors and supervisors on Human Resources issues
- Lead strategic HR initiatives to enhance employee engagement and retention
- Conduct investigations, counseled employees, implemented corrective actions and countermeasures, and conducted terminations
- Prepare and compiled OSHA / EEOC reporting and record-keeping requirements
- Develop legal responses to EEOC claims
- Develop EEO and diversity programs
- Plan annual budget and develop goals and objectives for the HR department
- Review job descriptions and administer updates on the wage and salary plan
- Conduct training on Human Resource topics
- Manage the objectives, plans and programs regarding physician recruiting
Human Resources Generalist
BMW Manufacturing Corporation
01.1996 - 07.1998
- Maintain an issue-free environment using open communication and conflict resolution techniques
- Advise and develop management on Human Resources related issues
- Conduct investigations, counsel employees, implement corrective actions and countermeasures, and conduct terminations
- Develop responses to EEOC charges
- Develop and deliver presentations on various HR topics
- Develop, implement, and maintain HR programs and policies
- Oversaw production associate hiring for the entire plant
- Develop and administer the plant wide Job Posting System
- Serve as liaison with South Carolina Job Services, Special schools Testing, Assessment, and Training Center (TATC), and Developmental Dimensions, Inc. (DDI) regarding production associate hiring
- Work with DDI to conduct job analysis and validation study of hiring process
HR Generalist / Management Recruitment Officer
Signet Banking Corporation / Capital One
09.1993 - 01.1996
- Managed and directed staff and their activities
- Provided all generalist HR functions for departments of 200 plus employees
- Conducted investigations, counseled employees, implemented corrective actions and countermeasures, and conducted terminations
- Developed and delived HR training sessions on various topics
- Represented HR on various committees in the development of departmental policies and procedures
- Developed legal responses to EEOC charges
- Executed reductions of departments by establishing downsizing criteria, re-deploying employees to other areas of the company, placement and providing counseling and outplacement assistance
- Managed a cohesive team that designed and implemented efficient and effective recruiting strategies to attract top caliber candidates
- Partnered with managers to understand the competencies required to be successful in their business units and executed the appropriate recruiting strategies and slection criteria
- Managed the candidate's expectations and negotiated offers for key corporate positions
- Maintained an adequate proactive candiate pool through different recruiting methods
- Performed on a recriting team that hired over two thousand employees in two years
- Led Bank Card's implementation of a Resumix system that automated the corporate staffing activities
- Served as a project manager for a re-engineering task force on testing and selection
Human Resources Specialist
The American Tobacco Company
10.1992 - 09.1993
- Provided all generalist HR functions for over 250 emoloyees
- Negotiated with bargaining units
- Instructed orienation and training classes
- Developed legal responses to EEO charges
- Implemented EEO/diversity programs
- Facilitated Total Quality Managment seminars
- Served on a team that developed the Family Medical Leave Act policy
Education
Master of Science - Industrial And Labor Relations
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WVBachelor of Science Business Administration - Accounting
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WVSkills
- Knowledge of numerous HRIS Systems and Microsoft Office Applications
- Have extensive experience in all areas of Human Resources to include: Employee Relations, Investigations, Compensation, Recruiting, Training, Onboarding, RIFs, Employment Law, Worker's Compensation, Union Contracts
- Excellent: Analytical thinking, time management, communication, strategic planning, conflict resolution, training and mentoring, risk assessment, emotional intelligence, solution-oriented approach, and multitasking
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Passed the Professional in Human Resource (PHR) Exam by SHRM
- Passed the Certified Diversity Professional Exam by the Institute for Diversity Certification
- Successfully completely the International Coaching Federation accredited certified Life Coach, Motivational Coach, and Empowerment Coach program
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
- Member of the Society for Diversity
- Member of the Association for Workplace Investigators
- Member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
- Smart Brevity Training for Presentations and Communications
- IRAC Investigation Report Writing
- Employment Law Briefing - National Employment Law Institute
- Ethics in Employment and Labor Law
- Predictive Index Training
- Reid Technique of Investigative Interviewing & Positive Persuasion
- Utilizing Behavioral Questions for Interviewing
- Conducting Compensation Studies and Job Analysis
- Sexual Harassment Prevention
- LGBTQ Discrimination
- Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- How to conduct Internal EEO Investigations
- Successful Mediations
- Avoiding Harassment & Creating Safe Workplace
- Human Resources Management Program (120 hours) - Western Carolina Industries
Timeline
Sr HR Advisor, Investigations
NextEra Energy Resources
07.2022 - 10.2025
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Coordinator
Augusta-Richmond County, City of Augusta
03.2020 - 07.2022
Compensation Analyst II
Augusta-Richmond County, City of Augusta
10.2017 - 03.2020
Aiken Area Coordinator/Instructor
Limestone College
08.2016 - 10.2017
Temporary Site Recruiter
Sitel
04.2016 - 07.2016
Human Resources Director
Cannon Memorial Hospital
07.1998 - 12.1998
Human Resources Generalist
BMW Manufacturing Corporation
01.1996 - 07.1998
HR Generalist / Management Recruitment Officer
Signet Banking Corporation / Capital One
09.1993 - 01.1996
Human Resources Specialist
The American Tobacco Company
10.1992 - 09.1993
Master of Science - Industrial And Labor Relations
West Virginia University
Bachelor of Science Business Administration - Accounting
West Virginia University