ELIZABETH SWEENEY WHITMORE
Summary
Senior human resources business partner with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience. Expertise in developing and implementing strategic planning and business processes. Proven ability to collaborate with all organizational levels while supervising and mentoring teams. Conscientious and compassionate human resources professional with drive for helping employers recruit, develop and retain qualified candidates. Skilled at partnering with management teams to build employee-centric cultures promoting positive morale and optimizing productivity. Motivating and positive with excellent interpersonal, coaching and communication skills.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Human Resources Director
State of Colorado – Office of the Governor
Denver
04.2024 - Current
- Provided strategic guidance across entire employee lifecycle, including talent management and onboarding.
- Executed HR strategy for governor's office and related entities, improving operational efficiency.
- Consulted with leadership on HR initiatives to align goals and enhance effectiveness.
- Led efforts in culture and engagement, promoting a positive workplace environment.
- Managed employee relations, ensuring compliance with workplace policies and practices.
- Oversaw compensation and benefits administration, optimizing employee satisfaction.
- Facilitated training and development programs to improve workforce skills and capabilities.
- Collaborated with supervisors and employees to assess needs, delivering tailored professional consultations.
Associate Vice President, Human Resources
Regis University
Denver
08.2019 - 04.2024
- Managed talent acquisition processes, successfully recruiting 750 faculty, 800 affiliates, and 700 student employees.
- Directed talent management, focusing on leadership development and employee performance.
- Oversaw design and compliance of competitive rewards programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Led HR operations and payroll systems, managing eight staff and four direct reports.
- Collaborated with leadership to foster a culture of inclusion and equity across the university.
- Led development planning and direction to cultivate a diverse workforce achieving strategic goals.
- Chaired operational improvement group and contributed to governance on community experiences.
- Sponsored university mentorship initiatives and staff advisory council.
Chief People Officer
The City of Lone Tree
Lone Tree
07.2016 - 08.2019
- Contributed to strategic planning initiatives for organizational growth on the executive management team.
- Developed high-performing organization, fostering commitment to core values and encouraging discretionary effort.
- Oversaw human resources division, aligning strategies with organizational mission and values.
- Supported city manager’s office and department directors in achieving operational objectives.
Human Resources Manager
The City of Lone Tree
Lone Tree
05.2013 - 07.2016
- Established initiatives aligning human resources strategies with organizational objectives, fostering collaboration across departments.
- Directed and managed human resources activities, enhancing recruitment and workforce planning processes.
- Managed recruitment processes for various city departments.
- Developed employee onboarding programs for new hires.
- Facilitated employee training sessions on workplace policies.
Associate Director – Employee Relations, Employment & Training
Regis University
Denver
12.2011 - 05.2013
- Directed all employee relations and training aspects to ensure operational efficiency.
- Participated in HR management team to develop and implement strategic plans and outcomes.
- Assisted in establishing long-range university objectives for employee relations programs.
- Oversaw departmental budget planning and maintenance to align with organizational goals.
Director of Human Resources
The Art Institute of Colorado
Denver
09.2002 - 11.2011
- Advised executive committee on human resources implications of operational decisions, influencing strategic planning and policy alignment.
- Delivered human resource services in benefits administration, compensation, employee relations, and legal compliance for 240 faculty and staff and 100 student employees, supporting overall institutional effectiveness.
- Fostered engaged work environment by promoting employee involvement in institutional culture and business initiatives, enhancing team cohesion and morale.
Associate Director, Human Resources
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
07.1999 - 08.2002
- • Responsible for the day to day operation and management of the department and oversight of 15 employees.
• Directly responsible for administration and management of the benefits, employee and labor relations, HRIS, and payroll functions, including oversight of a benefit budget of $28 million and payroll budget of $67 million.
• Primary Human Resources contact for employee relation and conflict resolution issues.
• Serve as the Human Resources representative on the University management team for labor relations.
Benefits Manager
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
09.1993 - 10.1997
- • Administer the University's benefits programs, including medical, dental, life, long-term disability, retirement programs, section 125, state disability, workers' compensation, unemployment, tuition remission, and COBRA benefits.
• Serve as strategic partner and liaison between the University and brokers/carriers.
Payroll Manager/Supervisor
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
03.1991 - 08.1993
- • Responsible for the processing of semi-monthly payroll for over 1200 faculty and staff as well as 1400 student employees. Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all federal and state reporting as it relates to payroll.
• Supervise payroll staff in the preparation and administration of the staff/ faculty, union and student payroll.
• Prepare and file quarterly and year-end federal and state payroll tax reports and deposits.
Education
EdD - Organizational Leadership
ARGOSY UNIVERSITY
Denver, COMBA -
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
Santa Clara, CABS - Business Administration and Economics
SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE
Moraga, CASkills
- Benefits administration
- Budget forecasting
- Compensation management
- HR program delivery
- Employee relations
- Performance management
- Labor relations
- HR data analytics
- Learning strategies
- Workforce planning
- Talent acquisition
Certification
- SPHR, HRCI, Senior Professional in Human Resources
- SHRM – SCP, The Society of Human Resource Management, Senior Certified Professional
Professional Organization
SHRM - Society for Human Resource Management
MileHigh SHRM - Lead for Government Peer Exchange Group
Technical Experience
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
- Accounting, HR & Payroll databases: Ascentis, Workday HCM
- Online Learning System: D2L BrightSpace, Cornerstone LMS and LXP systems
Timeline
Human Resources Director
State of Colorado – Office of the Governor
04.2024 - Current
Associate Vice President, Human Resources
Regis University
08.2019 - 04.2024
Chief People Officer
The City of Lone Tree
07.2016 - 08.2019
Human Resources Manager
The City of Lone Tree
05.2013 - 07.2016
Associate Director – Employee Relations, Employment & Training
Regis University
12.2011 - 05.2013
Director of Human Resources
The Art Institute of Colorado
09.2002 - 11.2011
Associate Director, Human Resources
Santa Clara University
07.1999 - 08.2002
Benefits Manager
Santa Clara University
09.1993 - 10.1997
Payroll Manager/Supervisor
Santa Clara University
03.1991 - 08.1993
EdD - Organizational Leadership
ARGOSY UNIVERSITY
MBA -
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
BS - Business Administration and Economics
SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE