Francesse J. Canty
Milton,Massachusetts
Summary
Strategic Chief Human Resources Officer with expertise in organizational development, workforce planning, and regulatory compliance. Drives HR initiatives that foster inclusive cultures and enhance organizational effectiveness. Demonstrates strong leadership in building high-performance teams and facilitating collaboration across departments. Experienced in talent acquisition and employee relations, proficient in managing complex projects while meeting deadlines.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Human Resources Officer
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Boston, MA
08.2023 - Current
- Directed institutional vision and operational leadership for workforce of 12,000+, aligning human capital initiatives with organizational stability and mission-critical goals.
- Architects comprehensive systems to attract and retain high-caliber talent, with a specialized focus on securing experts for high-stakes, hard-to-fill roles.
- Leads labor strategy and employee advocacy, modernizing grievance and disciplinary frameworks to ensure administrative consistency across the entire organization.
- Spearheaded performance management systems that connected actionable feedback with professional growth pathways.
- Operationalizes equity-centered practices in recruitment and leadership development to ensure the workforce reflects the diversity of the community served.
- Serves as the lead strategist for collective bargaining, negotiating complex multi-union agreements that balance fiscal discipline with robust employee support.
- Leverages sophisticated workforce analytics to streamline hiring cycles and provide the executive-level insights necessary for high-stakes decision-making.
- Commands a $17 million departmental budget, optimizing resource allocation to align with the organization's highest strategic priorities.
Director of Compliance
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Boston, MA
10.2022 - 08.2023
- Led the institutional compliance program from the ground up, developing the policies, risk assessments, and response protocols that maintain organizational integrity.
- Directed complex compliance investigations through cross-departmental collaboration, partnering with legal counsel to resolve sophisticated regulatory issues.
- Identified systemic vulnerabilities and executed corrective action plans, establishing long-term frameworks to protect the institution's reputation.
- Commanded daily operations to preempt illegal or improper conduct, aligning all departments with ethical standards.
- Maintained expert command of evolving employment laws, ensuring all activities remained legally sound.
Director of Labor & Human Resources
EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Everett, MA
01.2020 - 10.2022
- Designed and implemented enterprise-wide HR policies and legal compliance initiatives that translate the district's strategic vision into defensible, standardized operational practices.
- Drove strategy and execution for contract negotiations, labor-management committees, and complex grievance hearings, promoting a stable and productive labor environment.
- Commanded the strategy for employment litigation by directing outside counsel, managing insurance carrier partnerships, and ensuring every case outcome protects the University's long-term interests.
- Directed administration of collective bargaining agreements and personnel policies, ensuring administrative consistency across diverse academic and administrative departments.
- Lead the investigation of high-risk misconduct and critical incidents, delivering executive-level formal reports and remediation strategies to the Board and leadership.
- Architect and facilitate sophisticated leadership training programs focused on high-level employee relations, evolving employment law, and advanced investigative techniques for the management team.
- Establish the institutional guidelines for recruitment and hiring that operationalize the District's commitment to a diverse workforce.
- Advised senior administrators on employment lifecycle, establishing legal and strategic frameworks for recruitment, benefits, and high-stakes transitions.
Labor Counsel
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Boston, MA
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Spearheaded contract proposals and established legal framework for collective bargaining negotiations, partnering with department heads to interpret labor law and ensure workplace initiatives were defensible under current contracts.
- Led counsel for the District in grievances, disciplinary hearings, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings. Handled the full lifecycle of employment litigation, from drafting motions and position statements to negotiating settlements and advising senior leadership on necessary corrective actions.
- Acted as a confidential advisor to HR and executive leadership on sensitive personnel matters. Identified potential legal and reputational 'red flags' in proposed decisions, ensuring that problem-solving and long-term planning were balanced against institutional risk.
- Directed internal investigations into complex employment complaints, ensuring timely and thorough resolutions while overseeing formal responses to administrative charges filed with Department of Labor and other state and federal agencies.
- Collaborated with Human Resources and stakeholders to overhaul employee policies and procedures, tracking legislative shifts and industry trends to maintain compliance with new laws and enhance strategic outcomes.
Assistant General Counsel
BOSTON WATER AND SEWER COMMISSION
Boston, MA
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Negotiated, interpreted, and enforced collective bargaining agreements. Acted as a strategic partner to the leadership team, advising on daily labor issues and long-term organizational shifts, including department reorganizations and performance management strategies.
- Led internal investigations into allegations of harassment, discrimination, and misconduct. Managed end-to-end process from evidence gathering and interviews to drafting final reports and summaries of findings.
- Provided direct support to managers on corrective actions, navigating the legal complexities of performance improvement plans, disciplinary tracks, and termination procedures to ensure all actions were defensible.
- Represented organization in Commonwealth courts and administrative bodies on municipal and employment law matters. Served as primary Hearing Officer for union grievances, managing process from initial filing to resolution.
- Drafted and negotiated contracts for goods, services, and construction projects. Provided legal oversight for IFB and RFP processes and reviewed critical documents, including leases and easements, to protect utility infrastructure and municipal interests.
Education
Juris Doctor -
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
Boston, MAB.A. - Criminology and International Studies
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Tampa, FLLUND UNIVERSITY
Lund, SwedenSkills
- Talent management
- Labor negotiations
- Workforce analytics
- Strategic planning
- Policy development
- Compliance management
- Human capital management
Languages
Haitian Creole, Fluent
Bar Admission - State
Massachusetts
Timeline
Chief of Human Resources Officer
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
08.2023 - Current
Director of Compliance
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
10.2022 - 08.2023
Director of Labor & Human Resources
EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2020 - 10.2022
Labor Counsel
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2018 - 01.2020
Assistant General Counsel
BOSTON WATER AND SEWER COMMISSION
01.2014 - 01.2018
Juris Doctor -
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
B.A. - Criminology and International Studies
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
LUND UNIVERSITY