Deneatrice A. Lewis
Oxnard,CA
Summary
Thoughtful human resources professional, with a sincere commitment to the principles of diversity and equity with an affinity for the educational environment and adult learners. Optimistic human resources leader with almost 20 years of experience in positions with increasing levels of responsibility including 6 years in leadership roles. Adaptable leader skilled at building and maintaining relationships at various levels within the organization while modeling ethical behaviors. Effective at maintaining a high level of accountability and confidentiality in various environments. Driven to succeed in routine and challenging situations within deadline driven and time sensitive arenas.
Knowledgeable [Desired Position] with background in executive leadership. Guided strategic initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency and fostered organizational growth. Demonstrated expertise in leadership and strategic planning.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, People, Culture and
Pacifica Graduate Institute
05.2024 - Current
- Developing and implementing a visionary strategy that embeds these principles deeply into the fabric of our community. By engaging with students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and community partners, this role will advance behaviors, attitudes, and policies that support a culture of inclusivity. Collaborating with diverse stakeholders, the Vice President will identify challenges, craft strategic solutions, and operationalize Pacifica.
- Responsibilities:
- Transform and lead the Office of People, Culture and Belonging in developing, implementing and reporting on successful programs while developing new programs and initiatives.
- Responsible for leading the Diversity Inclusion Council and facilitating regular meetings
- Act as the culture ambassador implementing organizational strategies that reinforce behaviors that align with strategic goals.
- Develop strategies and opportunities focused on professional development on campus creating programs and initiatives focused on developing high performing leaders across classifications.
- Gather, research, and analyze data for statistical calculations.
- Establish and maintain an internal reporting system to measure various programs effectively. Assess and monitor program effectiveness and inform management of equal opportunity progress and issues through reports.
- Gather, research, and analyze data for statistical calculations.
Interim Vice President, Human Resources
Santa Barbara Community City College
08.2022 - Current
- Focused on ensuring the district has the right people in the right position for the right length of time to help move things forward and achieve the strategic goals of the District. Ensuring that policies and procedures are centered in equity and do not perpetuate outdated stereotypes, barriers or other limitations that are in conflict with the district’s mission, vision and commitment to students.
- Responsibilities:
- Lead district level human resources functions, activities, strategies planning.
- Serve as leader of the human resources department to inspire, motivate and support staff with innovative ideas, best practices and compliance related to hiring, retaining and developing district employees.
- Facilitate the districts Board Policies and Administrative Procedures committee that is responsible for reviewing, updating, and maintenance of board policies and procedures.
- Provide leadership and oversight of the district EEO Advisory Committee; draft and finalize districts EEO plan.
- Review, delegate and investigate employee complaints related to labor relations, discrimination, harassment or professional misconduct.
- Lead labor relation meetings with constituent groups, identify solutions to personnel issues through collaboration.
- Act as Lead Negotiator for district for faculty and classified unions; research, interpret and apply content of bargaining agreements, represent district position at bargaining table engage in interest based bargaining best practices.
- Collaborate with non union employee groups regarding miscellaneous employee concerns; establish best practices, guidelines and processes for various employee matters.
- Responsible for drafting complex communications including employee notices, disciplinary documents, investigation reports, analysis and summary of findings, memorandums of understanding, reports, presentations and other official documents.
- Represent district leadership and the human resources department on campus committees, workgroups and at external events or functions.
- Lead grant workgroup executing the objectives, goals and activities included in grant application.
Director, Human Resources
Santa Barbara City College
03.2020 - 08.2022
- Primary focus ensured that any barriers were removed/resolved that would hinder the success of operational staff within the human resources department. Identified tools, resources and access necessary for staff to accomplish the goal of their respective positions. Supported the Vice President of Human Resources in resolving confidential and complex matters including discipline, investigation and other employee relation issues.
- Responsibilities:
- Manage human resources staff responsible for all operational transactions for all classifications.
- Facilitate the annual reclassification process for management and classified positions.
- Pull, analyze and report out various district statistical data including EEO reports and staffing numbers.
- Represent the human resources department on campus committees.
- Participate in labor negotiation meetings; conduct research, develop reports and analyze data to inform decision making and district proposals.
- Manage district advertising budget, identify advertising locations and tools to increase exposure for job opportunities.
- Manage applicant tracking systems, develop, implement and train both internal and external system users.
- Served as an advisor and coach to management employees on various employee matters including understanding and implementing bargaining agreements.
- Partnered with payroll team to build collaboration and best practices to support goals and responsibilities for each department.
- Developed and implemented strategic HR initiatives to align with organizational goals.
- Led talent acquisition strategies, enhancing recruitment processes and candidate experience.
- Oversaw HR compliance and risk management, ensuring adherence to labor laws and regulations.
Supervisor II, Human Resources
Woodland Joint Unified School District
06.2018 - 03.2020
- Responsible for helping manage routine and complex human resources functions, provide direction and support of daily operations, supervise staff, and coordinate other programs and services offered by the human resources department. Work on projects geared towards updating, establishing and revising procedures and processes for the district. Provide guidance and support to district leadership on personnel matters; participate in employee investigations and disciplinary matters.
- Responsibilities:
- Managed and supervised human resources staff; provided support and resolved escalated issues.
- Review and monitor leave of absence requests, workers compensation claims and workplace accommodation procedures.
- Conducted employee investigations and contributed to the review, analysis and findings documentation.
- Managed the employee reclassification process for both management and classified staff.
- Managed recruitment processes and hiring processes for temporary and permanent positions for certificated and classified employees including all levels of management.
Human Resources Generalist
San Bernardino Community College District
05.2014 - 03.2018
- Responsible for a variety of professional level work for human resources services including leading the recruitment and selection process, participated in employee and labor relations and negotiations, equal employment opportunity, HRIS, benefits, workers compensation, and classification and compensation; and performs a variety of human resource functions supporting the assigned area of responsibility. Assigned to San Bernardino Valley Campus (SBVC)
- Responsibilities:
- Assigned to provide inclusive HR support for the largest campus location within the district. Full cycle recruitment process for all campus level positions, interacted with candidates and committee members
- Acted as EEO Rep on all recruitment committees and conducted EEO training.
- Provided consultation to manager for employee relations matters.
- Built relationships with union stewards, participated in employee appreciation events
- Developed and conducted training on internal processes (tuition reimbursement, promotions, reclassification etc.)
- Trained campus community on human resources information system (ADP)
Career Services Specialist
American Career College
11.2008 - 05.2014
Education
MS Leadership and Management - Human Resources concentration
University of La Verne
01.2019
BS Organization Management - Human Resources concentration
University of La Verne
01.2003
Skills
- Diversity and inclusion
- Strategic planning
- Organizational development
- Employee engagement
- Employee relations management
- Human resources compliance
- Performance management
- Data-driven decision making
- Conflict resolution
- Talent acquisition
Accomplishments
- Reestablished trust externally between the HR department and campus community by improving responsiveness and consistency in processes and communications.
- Drafted new policies related to hiring processes and employment background checks that support the principles of fair chance hiring while ensuring compliance with Ed Code restrictions.
- Participated in the application process for the EEO Best Practices grant, receiving $298k, the highest award level available.
- Led the HR team in executing 2 different pilot projects focused on anti-racist hiring related to faculty recruitments.
- Revamped the process and procedures related to employee complaints; established guidelines for external investigations ensured that the district followed legal requirements related to investigation timelines and reporting requirements.
- Reestablished trust internally within the HR team which has led to a more confident and innovative staff interactions.
- Built staffing requests and employee assignment change processes and forms.
- Established process and procedures related to non credit stipends.
- Created all data tables and analysis for the current year EEO plan.
- Created and presented EEO plan and annual report to the board of trustees.
- Handled the transition from PeopleAdmin to the implementation of NEOED software.
- Create, document and implement procedures to drive efficiency and innovation.
- Developed and presented employment numbers and human resources recruitment activities to the College Planning Council committee.
- Created an employee leave manual, request and approval documents.
- Completed graduate degree program and other leadership development seminars.
- Moved the district pre-employment testing to a completely online format.
- SBVC Campus Award - District Employee of the Year
- Established strong partnerships across campus
- Built a strong collegial relationship with bargaining unit leaders
- Facilitated training topics for classified employee groups
Timeline
Vice President, People, Culture and
Pacifica Graduate Institute
05.2024 - Current
Interim Vice President, Human Resources
Santa Barbara Community City College
08.2022 - Current
Director, Human Resources
Santa Barbara City College
03.2020 - 08.2022
Supervisor II, Human Resources
Woodland Joint Unified School District
06.2018 - 03.2020
Human Resources Generalist
San Bernardino Community College District
05.2014 - 03.2018
Career Services Specialist
American Career College
11.2008 - 05.2014
BS Organization Management - Human Resources concentration
University of La Verne
MS Leadership and Management - Human Resources concentration
University of La Verne
2023 Selected Professional Activities
- Facilitated Town Hall Discussion (Cluster Hiring) - The Association of Chief Human Resources Officers
- Panel Member (Cluster Hiring) - Colegas
- Association of Workplace Investigators certification
- Emerging Chief of Human Resources Academy - Sponsored by The Association of Chief Human Resources Officers
- Foundational Restorative Justice for Higher Education - University of San Diego