KAREN HIGUERA
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Strategic Benefits and Leave Administration professional with expertise leading enterprise leave of absence and workplace accommodations programs within complex, multi-state organizations. Extensive experience managing FMLA, ADA accommodations, STD/LTD coordination, and employee case management while partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to support organizational goals and business operations through data-driven decision-making.
Overview
2
2
years of post-secondary education
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Benefits Coordinator
King & Spalding
2023.09 - Current
- Lead end-to-end administration of FMLA, ADA workplace accommodations, STD/LTD, multi-state leave programs, and firm-specific leave programs for 1,200+ U.S. employees, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and firm policies.
- Serve as the firm's subject matter expert and strategic advisor on complex leave and accommodation matters, partnering with employees, leaders, HR Business Partners, Payroll, Benefits, and General Counsel to navigate sensitive cases and mitigate organizational risk.
- Oversaw leave-related payroll administration, ensuring accurate pay adjustments, benefit deductions, and integration of leave status changes within payroll cycles.
- Managed third-party vendors and carriers, implementing process improvements that enhanced compliance and operational efficiency.
- Supported administration of domestic health and welfare benefits, managing eligibility, enrollments, qualifying life events, and issue resolution.
- Partner with global benefits teams to coordinate international leave administration, maintain data integrity in Workday, and ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and consistent application of global leave processes.
Human Resources Specialist
Diaz Foods
2022.09 - 2023.09
- Supported full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and HRIS administration for a workforce of 250+ employees
- Assisted employees with leave administration, FMLA tracking, payroll inquiries, benefits issues, workers' compensation claims, and employee data changes
- Assisted with ad hoc reporting, HR documentation, and operational projects to support department objectives
Paralegal
Henningesen Injury Attorneys
2019.07 - 2022.09
- Managed a monthly average of 80-100 pre-litigation personal injury cases from intake through settlement and disbursement
- Coordinated medical records requests, treatment documentation,and subrogation matters while maintaining accurate case documentation and deadlines
- Negotiated settlements with insurance carriers and reductions of outstanding medical balances with providers
Office Manager
Peachtree Rehab
2016.06 - 2019.06
- Oversaw daily operations for two medical offices, including administrative workflows, employee support, employee recruitment, interviews, onboarding, and training on company policies and procedures
- Managed insurance billing processes, medical records requests, and compliance-related administrative tasks across 2 office locations
- Implemented electronic medical records processes that significantly reduced paper-based workflows and improved operational efficiency
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Management
University of West Georgia
2020.08 - 2022.06
Skills
- Leave administration
- Benefits Administration & Operations
- ADA compliance
- Effective communication
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Complex Problem-solving
- Discretion and confidentiality
Timeline
Benefits Coordinator
King & Spalding
2023.09 - Current
Human Resources Specialist
Diaz Foods
2022.09 - 2023.09
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Management
University of West Georgia
2020.08 - 2022.06
Paralegal
Henningesen Injury Attorneys
2019.07 - 2022.09
Office Manager
Peachtree Rehab
2016.06 - 2019.06