Donald R. Barnes II
West Virginia University
Morgantown,WV
1
Certification
33
years of professional experience
Senior Human Resources professional with 30 years in higher education, specializing in employee relations, organizational effectiveness, and talent management. Expertise in leading initiatives, coaching leaders through challenges, and facilitating critical conversations to enhance organizational performance. Skilled in building collaborative partnerships and aligning people strategies with institutional goals.
Work History
Strategic Human Resources Partner
2 Years 7 Months- Led redesign of organization-wide faculty and staff exit interview and feedback processes, improving insight into engagement trends and community experience.
- Supported initiatives that enhanced employee experiences and engagement.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to support workforce planning, talent management, organizational effectiveness, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Developed dashboards and reports that identified workforce trends and provided actionable insights to university leadership.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to enhance workforce planning, talent management, and employee engagement initiatives.
Director, Learning & Organizational Development
2 Years- Led a team of four and managed the planning, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of in-person and virtual workforce learning and development programs focused on leadership, engagement, and employee experience.
- Partnered with stakeholders to create impactful learning experiences that fostered employee growth and aligned with organizational goals.
- Enhanced program effectiveness and participation by implementing strategic planning and optimizing service delivery processes.
- Oversaw annual system-wide Employee Culture and Engagement Survey to gauge employee sentiments and inform improvement strategies.
- Directly supervised professional and administrative staff, established priorities, and coordinated resources to achieve departmental objectives.
Assistant Director, Leadership & Organizational Development
3 Years- Managed university-wide programs to streamline onboarding, foster engagement, and promote long-term employee success.
- Coordinated communications, logistics, and stakeholder engagement for initiatives, ensuring effective assessment and alignment with goals.
- Designed programs and resources to significantly enhance employee experience and satisfaction.
- Directly supervised professional and administrative staff.
Senior Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant
2 Years- Designed and facilitated workforce learning and development workshops for individual contributors and people leaders focused on topics such as communication, strengths, leadership development, and team effectiveness.
- Coached leaders on strategies from Annual Employee Culture and Engagement Survey initiatives to enhance workplace climate and team connection.
- Redesigned organization-wide New Employee Orientation to improve onboarding experience and foster employee engagement and organizational integration.
- Collaborated with departments to drive employee and organizational development initiatives across the university.
HR Manager, Student Life
5 Years- Consulted as the division's primary HR advisor, addressing complex employee relations matters involving performance, conduct, workplace conflict, and policy interpretation.
- Conducted employee investigations and advised senior leaders on resolutions and risk mitigation strategies.
- Conducted and managed employee investigations while advising senior leaders on appropriate resolutions and risk mitigation.
- Managed full employee lifecycle processes, including workforce planning, talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, and employee relations.
- Directly supervised one Talent Acquisition Specialist.
Senior Employee Relations Specialist
6 Years- Advised leaders on employee relations matters, enhancing respectful and inclusive workplace environments.
- Advised leaders on employee relations matters while fostering respectful, inclusive workplace environments.
- Conducted impartial workplace investigations involving employee misconduct, policy violations, interpersonal conflict, and other employee relations concerns, gathering facts through interviews, documentation review, and policy analysis.
- Prepared written summaries and recommendations, partnering with university leadership to ensure consistent application of policies and appropriate resolution of employee concerns.
- Facilitated informal resolution of workplace conflicts through coaching, consultation, and mediation strategies.
- Coached leaders on strategies to maintain positive team dynamics and strengthen employee relations practices.
Earlier Roles (HR & Administrative Leadership)
12 Years- Supported human resources operations, communications, and administrative functions in progressively responsible roles.
- Created communication materials, coordinated projects, and executed events to enhance employee engagement and improve organizational effectiveness.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Education
M.A. - Communication Theory & Research
B.A. - Communication Arts
Skills
Program coordination
Employee Development
Workforce development
Data analysis
Stakeholder management
Process Improvement
Project Management
Employee Relations
Conflict Resolution Strategies
Employee Feedback Analysis
Customer communication
Team leadership
Program Administration and Coordination
Certification
- SHRM-CP
- Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach
Timeline
Strategic Human Resources Partner
West Virginia University
01.2024 - CurrentRead More
Director, Learning & Organizational Development
West Virginia University
01.2022 - 01.2024Read More
Assistant Director, Leadership & Organizational Development
West Virginia University
01.2019 - 01.2022Read More
Senior Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant
West Virginia University
01.2017 - 01.2019Read More
HR Manager, Student Life
West Virginia University
01.2012 - 01.2017Read More
Senior Employee Relations Specialist
West Virginia University
01.2006 - 01.2012Read More
Earlier Roles (HR & Administrative Leadership)
West Virginia University
01.1994 - 01.2006Read More
Concord University
B.A. from Communication Arts
Read More
West Virginia University
M.A. from Communication Theory & Research
Read More