Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Ishara Gardeen

Hercules,CA

Summary

Accomplished benefits professional with a proven track record at Kendo Holdings Inc., adept in strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration. Well-versed in evaluating competing companies to pick optimal solutions to meet company and employee needs. Forward-thinking and driven with a hands-on and analytical approach.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Manager, Benefits & Wellness

Kendo Holdings Inc.
08.2022 - Current
  • Lead the implementation and maintenance of all US and Canadian benefit plans.
  • Manage third-party vendor relationships and EDI feeds, including the resolution of benefits-related issues – medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life/AD&D, COBRA, 401(k), RRSP, FSA and HSA.
  • Ensure ongoing compliance with existing group benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, retirement plans (401k and RRSP), leave of absence, disability and supplemental benefits.
  • Assist with providing benefits data to comply with the EU Corporate Social Reporting Directive (CSRD).
  • Establish and maintain relationships with cross-functional partners to support employees and align with business goals.
  • Support the delivery of ad-hoc projects and reporting which include research, analysis and recommendations.
  • Point person for handling routine benefits, LOA, STD, LTD, and workers’ compensation questions from employees and internal business partners. Resolve complex and escalated benefit and leave issues.
  • Effectively interpret FMLA, ADA and state laws as they relate to leave of absences and/or disability.
  • Responsible for all benefits invoicing and documentation.
  • Conduct new hire benefit orientations, partnering with the HR team on full onboarding process.
  • Create, plan and lead employee benefits communications and informational sessions.

Senior Benefits Analyst

Peet's Coffee
07.2020 - 08.2022
  • Evaluated vendor performance regularly, maintaining strong relationships while holding them accountable to service level agreements.
  • Managed annual benefits budget, tracking expenses and forecasting future costs accurately.
  • Conducted regular audits of benefit plans, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes promptly.
  • Ensure compliance as it relates to Affordable Care Act (ACA), San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO), nondiscrimination testing, and Form 5500.
  • Manage workflow to ensure all enrollment transactions are processed accurately and timely, including new hire benefits, terminated benefits, and COBRA administration.
  • Provide customer service support to internal and external customers.
  • Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company's benefits package.

Senior Benefits Specialist

24 Hour Fitness
05.2019 - 07.2020
  • Act as subject matter expert for all leave and accommodation requests to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
  • Partner with internal stakeholders and third-party carriers/vendors to administer end-to-end processing for all leave and accommodation requests.
  • Communicate with employees and their leaders as necessary during the leave and when the employee returns to work.
  • Educate and provide training to leaders and employees on internal leave policy, leave laws with paid time off, workers’ compensation, and short-term and long-term disability policies.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to create, implement and communicate new policies.
  • Ensure compliance with National Medical Support Notices.
  • Provide support during open enrollment and qualifying mid-year benefit changes.
  • Plan and execute wellness events including flu clinics and benefit fairs.
  • Continuously research and communicate changes and updates to benefits and regulations.

Total Rewards Coordinator

RH
11.2016 - 05.2019
  • Managed FMLA requests and ADA accommodations, maintaining compliance with federal guidelines while supporting employee wellbeing.
  • Process claims and/or requests for leaves of absence, disability, and workers’ compensation.
  • Assist with planning and executing wellness events including flu vaccine clinics.
  • Assist with initiating all immigration cases; update and maintain all immigration cases files.
  • Coordinated ergonomic evaluations, order, and provide employees with ergonomic equipment.
  • Completed employment verifications and unemployment paperwork.
  • Supported HR functions with emphasis on record keeping, data entry, and general HR tasks.
  • Supported human resources staff with new hire orientation and annual open enrollment.

Education

Master of Science - Human Resource Management

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
12.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Humanities

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA
01.2014

Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Operations Management
  • Problem Resolution
  • HRIS Software (ADP Vantage, UKG UltiPro, Oracle HCM)
  • Benefits Administration Software (Bswift, ADP, Empyrean, Mercer Marketplace 365)
  • Vendor Relationship Management
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Absence management
  • Workers' compensation
  • ADA compliance

Timeline

Senior Manager, Benefits & Wellness

Kendo Holdings Inc.
08.2022 - Current

Senior Benefits Analyst

Peet's Coffee
07.2020 - 08.2022

Senior Benefits Specialist

24 Hour Fitness
05.2019 - 07.2020

Total Rewards Coordinator

RH
11.2016 - 05.2019

Master of Science - Human Resource Management

University of Southern California

Bachelor of Arts - Humanities

San Francisco State University

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