Karen D. Alphonse
Executive Leader & Attorney
Miramar,FL
Summary
Transformational Change/ Talent Acquisition /Turn-around Strategist
Business professional with history of elevating organizational performance through strategic insights and practical solutions. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and implement innovative strategies. Focused on team collaboration and delivering tangible results. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic environments.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT
EXECSEARCHES.COM
01.2003 - Current
- Requested to join as a consultant during the earliest post-launch phase of development of the Company; helped revise Web presence and launched consulting portions of the business; built client base through word-of-mouth referrals.
- Built the company name and brand within and among specific mission-driven sectors.
- Co-established parameters for provisioning of services and helped to develop pricing.
- Conducted customized services for sourcing, compensation negotiations, and industry analysis for clients.
- Organized board member searches; retained as advisor on diversity/inclusivity searches.
- Developed practice targeting Spanish-speaking clientele, located primarily in Venezuela and Colombia.
- Coached executives on transition strategy, materials, communication techniques, and salary negotiations.
- Established by Isaacson Miller Alumni in 1999, ExecSearches specializes in providing consultation services to specific mission-driven sectors for professional and executive resourcing.
DIRECTOR, Human Resources & Recruiting
HL LAW GROUP
08.2019 - 01.2024
- Promoted from contractor role to a full-time position following the COVID pandemic.
- Built the recruitment department from the ground up.
- Began by recruiting top talent to fill legal assistant roles. Has since identified executive, middle management and business development talent for the company.
- As member of the senior leadership team, reports to Founding Partner and Managing Director on a range of human resource functions; implements policies across the organization.
- Managed team-member evaluations, promotions, and professional development training.
- Made recommendations about compliance, recurrent labor issues, internal disputes, staffing, benefits, and culture-building.
- Drafted and implemented new employment policies.
- Monitored team member morale, satisfaction levels, and participation in Firm events.
- Mentored international interns and newly hired employees.
- Advised management of emerging legislative and implementation trends likely to impact the business.
- Researched and recommended compensation, cost of living increases and remuneration, both monetary and intangible.
- Attended up-to-date trainings on DEI, sexual harassment, cybersecurity.
- Figured out ways to introduce difficult concepts and to include team members in recommended cultural shifts.
- Built relationships with local schools and universities.
- Instituted the Firm’s first ever internship and international legal internship programs.
- HLLG represents plaintiffs in litigation against insurance companies based on catastrophic loss. The Firm manages residential and commercial claims for Florida and New York clients and has developed an internal culture based upon work-life balance, continuous learning, and respect for all.
VICE PRESIDENT, Recruiting
BFS CAPITAL
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Promoted within the first 6 months to lead establishment of a recruitment department; formulated strategic plans, priorities, and recruitment strategies in consultation with C-Suite leadership team.
- Proposed, developed, and implemented pro-active talent strategy and related processes; more than tripled the average monthly hiring rate during the first year.
- Built relationships with internal stakeholders and with external agencies to support corporate growth objectives and specific strategic talent acquisition goals.
- Automated the application process and optimized use of technology.
- Increased related transparency of the process activity to build trust.
- Tracked salary and industry trends to offer effective guidance to hiring managers.
- Worked closely with peer departments, Legal and Compliance to create a positive employee experience and to foster Company loyalty.
- Identified and represented BFS at key networking/recruitment/HR events.
- BFS specializes in meeting the working capital needs of small business. It has provided more than $1.5 billion in total financing to small- and mid-sized businesses across more than four hundred industries in all fifty states and Canada, and in the United Kingdom.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
ISAACSON MILLER
01.1998 - 01.2003
- Led education, legal and community organization searches; provided full-service coverage under the direction of firm partners; researched leads, identified, developed best-in-class candidates, and presented them to client organization, utilizing Isaacson, Miller format.
- Drafted key search documents, including the Scope Letter, Contracts and Compensation Agreements.
- Selected to spearhead the Charter School Leadership practice; collaborated directly with the client on branding, messaging, and recruitment issues; developed expertise by attending specialized workshops and seminars; conducted independent research; managed a docket of up to 12 searches at a time; travelled to various locations along the East Coast to meet clients and qualify candidates; completed all hires within budget.
- Solved the firm’s longest open search for the leader of the Franklin Pierce Law Center by leveraging relationship with the Search Committee to drive a successful outcome; became an internal resource for sourcing and solving challenging education searches.
- Firm representative at education conferences and workshops.
- Served as member of the firm’s recruitment and professional development committees.
- Since 1982, Isaacson, Miller has recruited for the leadership of the nation's civic infrastructure. Clients include leading colleges and universities, foundations, human service agencies, research institutes, academic medical centers, economic development enterprises, arts and cultural groups, conservation, environmental, social justice, and other national advocacy organizations.
Education
JD - International And Comparative Law
New York, New York05-1986
Bachelor of Arts - History & Literature of England & France
Harvard-Radcliffe University
Six Sigma, Certificate - undefined
Villanova University
Advanced Certificate - English Literature, French & Spanish
Cambridge University
United KingdomSkills
Analytical problem solver
Organizational strategist
Operations and HR leader
Corporate communication specialist
Team leadership
Engaging storyteller
Leadership development coach
Creative problem solver
Global talent acquisition
Affiliations
- Society of Human Resource Management
- American Bar Association
- Connecticut Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
Timeline
DIRECTOR, Human Resources & Recruiting
HL LAW GROUP
08.2019 - 01.2024
VICE PRESIDENT, Recruiting
BFS CAPITAL
01.2014 - 01.2018
EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT
EXECSEARCHES.COM
01.2003 - Current
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
ISAACSON MILLER
01.1998 - 01.2003
Bachelor of Arts - History & Literature of England & France
Harvard-Radcliffe University
Six Sigma, Certificate - undefined
Villanova University
Advanced Certificate - English Literature, French & Spanish
Cambridge University
JD - International And Comparative Law
LEADERSHIP STRENGTHS & VALUE OFFERED
- Human resources leader who applies corporate litigation skills to business problem-solving; adept at attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting top talent; leverages cross-functional teams to exceed specific talent acquisition, professional development, and team culture goals;
- Change manager and organizational architect; catalyst for shifting recruiting and corporate culture into customer service mode, with focus on meeting internal shareholder needs in a timely, cost-effective manner; experienced at building organizations from the ground up; is persistent, focused, and resilient; addresses challenges in real time; develops pragmatic solutions, utilizing consultative, inclusive, cross-functional strategies;
- Research-based decision-maker; moves ahead based on data; revisits operating assumptions considering metrics and initial results; and
- Public speaker who builds rapport with diverse audiences and serves as an effective corporate representative.
LEGAL BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE
- Law Clerk, The Honorable David S. Nelson, First Circuit, Boston, MA
- Litigation Associate, Baker & McKenzie, New York, NY
- Senior Associate, Bickel & Brewer, Dallas, TX
- Partner, Douglas, Bailey & Alphonse, Bloomfield, CT