Dwight Lavender
Chandler,AZ
Summary
Senior Operations and Human Resources Leader with a strong track record in managing large teams and executing strategic initiatives. Expertise in change management and operational efficiency, leading to measurable improvements in business performance. Successfully implemented cultural initiatives that enhanced employee engagement, diversity, and retention across diverse workforces.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Director, Field Operations – Champions Division
KINDERCARE LEARNING COMPANIES
Chandler, AZ
05.2023 - Current
- Spearhead operational leadership for 400 sites across the Southern United States, ensuring high-quality service delivery and customer satisfaction across all locations.
- Provide strategic direction and support to five Regional Directors, enhancing their leadership capabilities and operational effectiveness.
- Implemented tools and resources to drive regional performance, focusing on client acquisition and retention, along with fostering a culture of continuous improvement in field operations, leading to year-over-year revenue growth of 17.5% and 16.9% (years 1 and 2 in the role, respectively).
- Played a pivotal role in shaping team and client experience, directly influencing positive outcomes in family engagement and loyalty, along with top 5% results in team engagement for direct reports in 2024 and 2025.
Senior Regional Human Resources Leader (Regional Human Resources Director) – Desert Region
AMAZON LOGISTICS
Chandler, AZ
11.2021 - 05.2023
- Manage four direct reports and 22 indirect reports in leading Amazon Logistics’ (AMZL) comprehensive HR and People Operations strategy for the Desert Region, encompassing 14 Delivery Stations and 7,500 employees.
- Directed people results, including staffing, turnover, talent development, employee engagement, retention strategies, and onboarding programs.
- Led improvements in all employee engagement categories, including top 25% company results in: inclusive culture, manager skills, leadership behavior, manager satisfaction, inclusion, job satisfaction, and Day 1 culture. Results achieved through enhanced focus on recognition, leadership development and respectful accountability.
Head of Human Resources – Field (Vice President of Field Human Resources)
SPRINT CORPORATION (now T-Mobile)
Phoenix, AZ
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Oversaw human resources operations for a workforce of 20,000 employees across U.S. stores, managing 12 direct reports, and 65 indirect reports.
- A 22% rise in the overall HR team engagement and the uppermost direct team engagement of all company HR leaders was attained by emphasizing results and accountability.
- An 11.4% boost in EBITDA was achieved by implementing nationwide sales and service training in all retail locations, and advancing the company training completion percentage by 58 points during the fiscal year.
- An 11% surge in sales revenue across the western division was accomplished by instituting a new field HR structure and HR business partner organization in the retail business model.
Vice President of Field Human Resources – KFC, US
YUM! BRANDS
Louisville, KY
09.2015 - 12.2016
- Led a team of four direct reports and 12 indirect reports to develop KFC’s U.S. HR strategy for over 100,000 staff at 4,400 restaurants.
- Led staffing, turnover, talent development, employee engagement, and guest satisfaction initiatives.
Regional Director, Executive Talent
MACY’S
East Brunswick, NJ
05.2014 - 09.2015
- Directed a team of eight human resources district directors, overseeing HR operations and strategy across 110 stores, and a workforce of 20,000 employees within the $5 billion Mid-Atlantic region.
- Led executive talent development initiatives by designing and implementing intentional succession planning processes, engaging in proactive recruitment strategies, and creating tailored development plans for key leadership roles.
Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
TARGET CORPORATION
Minneapolis, MN
04.2011 - 04.2014
- Directed the strategic development and execution of diversity and inclusion initiatives across 1,800 Target stores, and 37 distribution centers, aimed at fostering an inclusive culture within the organization.
Store Director
TARGET CORPORATION
Kansas City, MO
06.2005 - 04.2014
- Managed merchandising, operations, and HR to maximize profits, market share, and staff engagement at a retail store generating over $50 million in annual sales.
Education
Juris Doctor - Law
University of Missouri-Kansas City
12-2000
Master of Business Administration - Finance
University of Missouri-Kansas City
12-2000
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies
University of Missouri-Columbia
Skills
- Organizational Development
- Visionary leadership
- Collaborative leadership
- Human Resources Leadership
- Developing Top Talent Strategies
- Employee Relations
- Delivering Operational Excellence
- Performance improvement
- Inclusive Leadership
- Culture transformation
- Effective Collaborative Communication
- Entrepreneurship
Certification
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
- Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP)
Timeline
Senior Director, Field Operations – Champions Division
KINDERCARE LEARNING COMPANIES
05.2023 - Current
Senior Regional Human Resources Leader (Regional Human Resources Director) – Desert Region
AMAZON LOGISTICS
11.2021 - 05.2023
Head of Human Resources – Field (Vice President of Field Human Resources)
SPRINT CORPORATION (now T-Mobile)
01.2017 - 12.2018
Vice President of Field Human Resources – KFC, US
YUM! BRANDS
09.2015 - 12.2016
Regional Director, Executive Talent
MACY’S
05.2014 - 09.2015
Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
TARGET CORPORATION
04.2011 - 04.2014
Store Director
TARGET CORPORATION
06.2005 - 04.2014
Juris Doctor - Law
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Master of Business Administration - Finance
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies
University of Missouri-Columbia