Karla J. Francisco-Waichum
Allendale
Summary
Strategic Human Resources professional and retired Chief Master Sergeant with more than 26 years of progressive leadership experience leading workforce initiatives, employee relations, talent development, organizational effectiveness, recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance management. Trusted advisor to executive leadership supporting over 900 military and civilian personnel. Recognized for developing people, resolving complex workplace issues, fostering employee engagement, and building collaborative relationships through integrity, communication, and servant leadership.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Group Senior Enlisted Leader (Chief Master Sergeant)
Michigan Air National Guard
07.2020 - 07.2026
- Served as senior enlisted advisor for an organization of more than 900 military and civilian personnel, partnering with executive leadership on workforce planning and organizational effectiveness.
- Coached supervisors and managers on employee relations, performance improvement, disciplinary actions, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation resulting in a 96% satisfaction rate.
- Supported recruiting, interviewing, hiring recommendations, onboarding, orientation, retention, and career development initiatives leading to over 100% manning.
- Designed and delivered leadership development, supervisor training, and professional education programs that strengthened employee performance and engagement.
- Led employee recognition initiatives and morale programs that fostered a positive organizational culture and increased morale, resulting in 22 members being recognized.
- Handled highly confidential personnel matters with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
- Conducted performance evaluations for subordinates, providing constructive feedback for improvement and recognizing achievements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional leaders to implement strategic initiatives, organizational change, and continuous process improvements.
- Mentored employees at every career stage, helping develop future supervisors and senior leaders.
- Led operational readiness programs, enhancing unit effectiveness and mission success with an inspection rating of "Highly Effective".
- Implemented strategic training initiatives, aligning team capabilities with organizational goals.
- Facilitated communication between leadership and enlisted members, ensuring alignment on objectives.
Criminal Intelligence Analyst
Michigan Counterdrug Task Force
10.2003 - 06.2020
- Partnered with federal, state, and local agencies while cultivating trusted professional relationships.
- Prepared executive reports, briefings, and analytical products requiring exceptional attention to detail.
- Managed competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining strict confidentiality.
- Supported leaders through research, policy implementation, and process improvement efforts.
- Analyzed criminal intelligence data to identify emerging trends and patterns.
- Collaborated with law enforcement agencies to support strategic operations and investigations.
- Mentored 26 junior analysts in research methodologies and data interpretation techniques.
- Improved inter-agency cooperation by facilitating communication between departments and sharing relevant information.
- Established trusted relationships with key stakeholders, including community organizations and law enforcement counterparts, to facilitate the sharing of crucial information.
- Presented findings to senior leadership, clearly articulating key insights and recommendations for action plans against identified threats.
- Monitored social media platforms to gather real-time intelligence on emerging threats or potential criminal activities.
- Developed recommendations to assist clients and agencies with efforts to advance intelligence gathering and interpretation in multiple theaters of operation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice/Psychology
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MIMaster of Science - Human Resources Administration
Central Michigan University
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Personnel management
- Mentoring and coaching
- Budgeting and finance
- Strategic leadership
- Organizational skills
- Excellent communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Conflict resolution
- Training and development
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Employee Relations
- Talent Acquisition
- Interviewing
- Onboarding
- Workforce Planning
- Training & Development
- Employee Engagement
- Leadership Coaching
- Performance Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Investigations
- HR Policy
- Succession Planning
- Organizational Development
- Benefits & Compensation Communication
- Confidential Personnel Management
- Team Building
- Public Speaking
- Change Management
Timeline
Group Senior Enlisted Leader (Chief Master Sergeant)
Michigan Air National Guard
07.2020 - 07.2026
Criminal Intelligence Analyst
Michigan Counterdrug Task Force
10.2003 - 06.2020
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice/Psychology
Grand Valley State University
Master of Science - Human Resources Administration
Central Michigan University