Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
ADDITIONAL RELATED EXPERIENCE
Generic

Jo Ann Atkinson

Belmont,MI

Summary

Positively affects the bottom-line and organizational outcomes by resourcing, retaining and developing top talent to support company long term goals and achieve optimal operational effectiveness. Experienced strategic HR professional recognized for successful talent management, engagement strategies, best practices for benefits administration, and creating positive workplace cultures for meeting business metrics. Broad HR knowledge and understanding of workforce planning, progressive benefits, compensation, employee relations including union contracts, talent acquisition, retention and development. Skilled in organizational design and effectiveness, change management and cultural management. Highly analytical, skilled at drawing conclusions, themes, and trends from data analysis and communicating results for employee understanding and engagement to influence decisions at highest level.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Manager, Human Resources

BRAINS
2022 - Current
  • Leads recruitment of top talent with a one week to fill success rate while reducing turnover by 45% with an 80% retention rate.
  • Implemented internal promotions, upskilling and cross-utilization to achieve 21 successful promotions and 15 job shadows/field placements in 2 years.
  • Created and leads our Employee Engagement Committee (EEC) with active participation for all departments and increased multi-disciplinary team collaborative ensuring a positive work culture of inclusion.
  • Manages employee relations through coaching, peer to peer resolutions, listening with respect, and finding common ground to ease tensions while resolving conflicts efficiently.
  • Conducted thorough internal investigations including assisting managers with disciplinary actions while addressing employee concerns with fairness and transparency.
  • Maintained benefits, compensation, and payroll to achieve equity and fairness. and benefits.
  • Streamlined HR processes including open enrollment for increased efficiency, reducing paperwork and manual tasks through automation.
  • Leads training in leadership development, compliance, community outreach and oversees our on-line learning management system (LMS).
  • Collaborates with executive leadership and owner to align HR initiatives with overall business goals and objectives including leadership of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operations System).

Manager, Human Resources

Heritage Property Management
01.2020 - 2022
  • Led all Human Resource functions for 100 employees including Talent Acquisition and Management, Succession Planning, Performance Management, Employee Relations, Engagement and Staff Training. Facilitator for Community Relationships to Deepen Holistic Partnerships and Sustain Gains.
  • Full Utilization of both New and Existing Recruitment Tools along with Building Community Partnerships to broaden scope of candidates and hire Top Talent.
  • Achieved Full Staffing during first 3 months of my leadership and sustained these gains for the first time since 2016.
  • Streamlined Hiring Processes to reduce Time to Hire by 50%.
  • Implemented Direct Care Staff Retention Grants, Go Pro, Futures for Frontliners and Reconnect Tuition Funding.
  • Managed employee relations issues professionally, resolving conflicts efficiently while maintaining confidentiality and best outcomes at all times.
  • Maintained accurate HR records in compliance with applicable laws, ensuring efficient data retrieval when required.
  • Expanded and Upgraded New Hire Orientation to include all Key Leaders and Interconnection of all Departments.
  • Oversees Employee Investigations and Progressive Discipline including Behavior Modification.

Director, Human Resources

Covenant Living Communities & Services
01.2016 - 01.2020
  • Led all Human Resource functions for 125 full time employees and 100 part time or on-call employees. Served as key relationship leader for Talent Acquisition, Talent Management and new hire Training and Development. Equip stakeholders with the tools to approach HR lifecycle management and overseeing HR operations for Administration, Clinical, Maintenance including Skilled Trades, Dining Services, Community Life and Transportation.
  • Managed the onboarding process, providing new hires with necessary tools for success from day one.
  • Converting business plans into HR deliverables for multiple functions
  • Streamline labor budget process through analysis of hours required by census, resident acuity and staff competencies.
  • Heavily regulated, high turnover COVID

Manager, Human Resources and Volunteer Services

Harbor Hospices
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Led all Human Resources and Volunteer Services for 110 employees and 75 volunteers including 24/7 and emergency services including guidance and counsel through a due diligence process.
  • Developed and implemented progressive recruitment and retention strategies along with building positive employee relations to reduce turnover by 30 percent.
  • Led the People Pillar for both Lost Days and Turnover with 25 percent reduction in lost days of work.
  • Wellness Leader and Community Representative for The Way to Wellville.
  • Company Leader and Board Member for Lakeshore Employee Resource Network.
  • Core Team Member for Monthly Financial Reporting to Harbor Hospice Finance Board Members.
  • Coached and Led Leadership Competencies and Training for all levels of leaders with emphasis on succession planning.
  • Led community wide recruitment for volunteer services with a 20 percent increase in all offerings including the We Honor Veterans team.
  • Helped get systems in place

Consultant/Coordinator, Human Resources and Employer Advisory Group

Kent Intermediate School District
01.2001 - 01.2013
  • Oversaw development and implementation of all HR learning strategies across multiple buildings and districts including the coordination of the Employers Advisory Group to meet the educational demands for changing workforce demands.
  • Created and Led all levels of Staff Development for 300 educational staff members including the development of Grow Your Own and Succession Plans based on county wide needs including strategic plans.
  • Led the Adult Learning Model for Michigan Literacy Progress Profile and Highly Qualified Paraeducators 20 Local Districts.
  • Identified, analyzed and implemented solutions to complex and difficult employee relations issues and advised management to ensure fair and consistent treatment of employees.
  • Team Lead for obtainment of Partners for Racism Free Communities Award.
  • Coached senior administration in the preparation of performance appraisals, development plans and performance improvement plans.
  • Developed partnerships with teachers, employers and community leaders for implementation of Work Keys, Key Train and Guaranteed Diploma for all of Kent County.
  • Manpower - helped w/ felony community outreach piece

Education

BS/BA - Business Administration and Organizational Psychology

Aquinas
Grand Rapids, MI

AA - Juvenile Justice

Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, MI

Skills

  • Full Cycle Recruitment, Retention and Retirement Support
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • HR Policy Development
  • Performance and Safety Management
  • Compensation Planning
  • HRIS Assessment and Implementation
  • Compliance and Regulatory
  • Contract Interpretation and Administration
  • Strategic Planning and Daily Implementation
  • Benefits Programs
  • Training & Career Development
  • Succession Planning
  • Progressive Worker's Compensation Management
  • HR policies and procedures
  • Employee Relations
  • Microsoft office proficiency

Certification

  • SPHR Professional Certification, Davenport University
  • GCDF Certification, Ferris State University

Timeline

Manager, Human Resources

Heritage Property Management
01.2020 - 2022

Director, Human Resources

Covenant Living Communities & Services
01.2016 - 01.2020

Manager, Human Resources and Volunteer Services

Harbor Hospices
01.2014 - 01.2016

Consultant/Coordinator, Human Resources and Employer Advisory Group

Kent Intermediate School District
01.2001 - 01.2013

AA - Juvenile Justice

Grand Rapids Community College

Manager, Human Resources

BRAINS
2022 - Current

BS/BA - Business Administration and Organizational Psychology

Aquinas

ADDITIONAL RELATED EXPERIENCE

  • Manager, Human Resources, Mercy Health Services
  • Manager, Human Resources, Comair Airlines
  • Labor Relations Specialist and Apprentice Training Coordinator, General Motors

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