Kimberly Cumba
Summerville,South Carolina
Summary
Adept at training managers to improve employee relations, increase understanding of legal requirements and effectively motivate employees and strengthen relationships at all levels.
Forward-thinking, results-driven and focused on facilitating relationships and collaboration between key functional partners in order to accomplish common goals.
Meticulous and hardworking professional with advanced knowledge of employee relations issues, compliance practices, and investigations. Dedicated to reinforcing updated compliance policies and anti-retaliation efforts.
20+ years in successfully managing and advising on various employment matters and conducting investigations varying in complexity.
Strategic planner with respect to investigations and reviewing non-investigative concerns. Identifying the scope of the review, creating an initial outline and strategy, assessing the potential need for additional resources, and adjusting as needed throughout the investigation to ensure proper resolution and due diligence.
Experienced manager and investigator with solid background in compliance, employee relations, human resources as well as various criminal affairs. Skilled in utilizing data, analytics, and strong influencing skills to push strategic and comprehensive initiatives and plans of action.
Skilled in conducting complex employee relations investigations and creating risk mitigation plans and root cause analysis as well as driving quality improvement programs.
Conducted investigations involving union-represented employees.
Participated in union negotiations and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead - Employee Relations & Special Investigations
Northrop Grumman
03.2015 - 02.2024
- Served as the lead Senior Advisor within the Employee Relations Center of Excellence (ER CoE) simultaneous to being the sole (non-attorney) investigator within the Law Departments investigations group.
- Approximately 85% of the role involved conducting investigations.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Expertly conducted highly complex and sensitive investigations in a thorough and thoughtful manner, utilizing effective interview techniques; ultimately improving case resolution rates.
- Conducted investigations on behalf of the Law Department and supported legal proceedings by providing accurate and detailed reports on investigation findings.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships by providing timely updates on investigation progress and current status.
- Collected and preserved physical and electronic evidence, and interviewed investigative participants with remarkable finesse, adapting to individual responses and demeanor to ensure their participation and collaboration.
- Facilitated cross-functional partnerships to harness valuable insights from different perspectives, ultimately enhancing overall project outcomes.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Maintained database systems to track, analyze, and retain data related to investigations.
- Maintained overall safe work environment with employee training programs and enforcement of safety procedures.
- Maintained detailed records of investigations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Delivered calm, professional testimony to support case evidence, establish timelines, and offer law enforcement expertise.
- Conducted multi-scope research into suspects to determine criminal activities and suspect operating environments.
- Collaborated with forensic experts to analyze complex evidence, enabling accurate conclusions about criminal activity patterns.
- Oversaw criminal cases, coordinated investigations, and prepared evidence and investigators for court cases.
- Identified witnesses and collected statements to gather information and pursue remedies for violations of legal standards.
- Collaborated with federal agencies on investigations.
- Collected, analyzed and interpreted information, documentation, and physical evidence associated with investigations.
- Managed caseload efficiently while prioritizing high-risk situations to protect public safety effectively.
Manager, ER, HR, and Compliance
Icore Networks
08.2014 - 03.2015
- Assisted in the development of a comprehensive risk assessment framework for evaluating potential threats to organizational compliance systems.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline and monitor quality programs, and proactively and successfully addressed and implemented new compliance initiatives.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
- Developed and implemented corrective action plans for non-compliance issues.
- Contributed to the creation of employee handbooks, outlining company policies and procedures in a clear, concise manner.
- Streamlined and monitored quality programs to alleviate overdue compliance activities.
- Implemented positive employee relations strategies that encouraged transparent communication between employees at all levels within the organization and collaborated with managers to identify and address employee relations issues.
- Generated and analyzed reports to monitor employee engagement and attrition trends.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Led all investigations, including potential criminal activity, for the company with exceptional proficiency and reducing the number of internal disputes and legal claims.
- Ensured compliance with legal regulations during investigations, minimizing risk for litigation or procedural errors.
- Promoted employee welfare by maintaining proper protocols throughout investigations and disciplinary procedures.
- Managed employee relations issues professionally, resolving conflicts efficiently while maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Provided strategic and forward thinking recommendations to leadership.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills by managing and mentoring a large team; ensuring a foundational knowledge of their skills and abilities, goals and aspirations, and coached and developed their competencies to expand their skills set and gain experience.
- Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
Manager, Investigations
QinetiQ North America
01.2012 - 08.2014
- Consulted and cooperated with legal staff to verify timely and efficient investigation completion.
- Conducted impartial investigations into complaints by employees.
- Held monthly meetings with functional partners (e.g., Ethics, the Law Department, Security, and Quality) to review current open issues/investigations and determine any overlap that would benefit from coordinating joint investigations, while simultaneously developing and strengthening key partnerships.
- Oversaw criminal cases, coordinated with appropriate personnel, prepared evidence for court cases, and demonstrated exceptional proficiency in depositions conducted by opposing counsel.
- Increased conviction rates by presenting comprehensive reports and testifying effectively in court proceedings.
- Established strong working relationships with federal partners for seamless coordination on cross-border investigations.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Established robust risk mitigation strategies to safeguard against potential operational challenges or disruptions.
- Increased situational awareness among law enforcement officers by providing real-time updates on unfolding incidents.
- Ensured compliance with legal regulations during investigations, minimizing risk for litigation or procedural errors.
- Carefully documented statements, observations, and evidentiary materials.
- Enhanced department efficiency with streamlined processes for evidence collection and documentation.
- Collected information pertaining to criminal proceedings and performed investigations to resolve cases.
- Researched criminal cases and led investigations to determine appropriate course of proceedings.
- Collaborated with federal agencies on investigations.
- Uncovered critical evidence by meticulously analyzing financial records and other documents related to investigations.
- Increased conviction rates by collaborating closely with prosecutors to build strong cases.
- Conducted interviews with witnesses and clients.
- Reduced fraudulent activity through diligent surveillance and timely reporting of suspicious behavior.
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports.
- Prepared case reports from allegations, transcripts of interviews and physical evidence.
- Gathered facts from interviews of suspects, witnesses, and complainants.
Sr. Employee Relations & Criminal Analyst
Computer Sciences
04.2011 - 01.2012
- Developed innovative analytical techniques to identify patterns, trends, and potential risks in complex datasets.
- Streamlined processes for data collection, management, and analysis, resulting in more efficient workflows.
- Incorporated lessons learned from previous operations to improve intelligence capabilities.
- Improved case resolution rates by providing actionable intelligence and strategic recommendations.
- Conducted investigations into allegations involving union represented employees.
- Promoted a culture of safety through engaging workshops and training sessions for employees on safety related various topics issues.
- Updated and implemented new Safety procedures, which all employees were trained on. Concerns or allegations of Safety related issues were prioritized and promptly investigated.
- Collaborated with interagency partners for effective information sharing and coordinated efforts against criminal networks.
- Drafted concise reports that clearly communicated key insights and recommendations to non-expert stakeholders.
- Briefed upper-level personnel on emerging threats.
HR Business Partner (Rotational)
Lockheed Martin
10.2008 - 04.2011
- Discovered and resolved complex employee issues that affected management and business decisions.
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, cultivating a welcoming organizational culture for all employees.
- Advised senior management on organizational development and change management initiatives.
- Championed change management efforts during company restructures, minimizing disruption to employees and maintaining morale during transitions.
- Managed conflict resolution processes to maintain a positive work environment and resolve employee disputes effectively.
- Utilized compliance tools, corrective actions and identification of deficiencies to mitigate audit risks.
- Delivered presentations on critical findings during conferences or briefings with senior leadership and law enforcement.
- Investigated and liaised with legal department to respond to complaints of harassment, discrimination, employee grievances, and other sensitive issues and prepared position statements for EEOC.
- Rotated to Investigations whereby I was trained in, and quickly led, investigations involving misconduct, policy violations, theft, embezzlement, quality, safety/security, time mischarging, fraud, and anti-money laundering.
Criminal Justice Intern
Radford University
08.2003 - 12.2008
- Drafted motions, petitions and waivers.
- Prepared and filed pleadings, motions and other legal documents in court proceedings.
- Supported successful legal proceedings by gathering evidence, preparing detailed reports, and providing courtroom testimony when necessary.
- Interviewed witnesses and gathered public record research relevant to each case.
- Assisted in crime prevention efforts by conducting research on current trends and best practices within the field of criminal justice.
- Observed courtroom proceedings such as trials, hearings, sentencings under supervision which provided invaluable insights into legal and investigations processes.
- Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.
- Developed a wide range of skills, primarily in interviewing, data analysis, evidence and information gathering, credibility assessment, the importance of proper documentation, and document retention.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Radford University
Radford, VA12.2008
Skills
- Expert in leading & managing all manner of investigations
- Ensured all investigations were conducted fairly and consistent with company policy
- Led all participant interviews; analyzed Information and database documents; prepared reports, and if applicable, debriefed leadership and made recommendations on discipline using significant insight and experience on consistent enterprise practices
- Complex problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
- Title VII and non-Title VII Investigations
- Fraud and AML Investigations
- Debriefing executives and high-ranking government officials
- Maintaining a calm and professional demeanor even in extremely difficult situations
Certification
- Certification; Law and Policy Violations; empowER; 2017
- Certified Professional Investigator (CPI); HR Acuity; 2016
- Certification Program: Self Development; Investigating Allegations of Title VII policy violations and Assessing Credibility; 2016
- Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst (CICA); ICore Networks; 2015
- Advanced Financial Crimes Investigation Certification; ICore Networks; 2015
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE); ICore Networks; 2014
- Certification & Seminar; Self Development; Labor and Employment Law; 2012
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMLS); Bank of America; 2011
- Certification; Self Development; Conducting Effective and Thorough Investigations; 2010
- Certification Program: E Cornell; Employee Relations and Investigations; 2009
- Member of, but not limited to: AWI, HR Acuity, empowER (Employee Relations Community), the Labor & Employee Relations Academy; attended all trainings, or listened to recordings if unable to attend; Self Development; Ongoing
Timeline
Lead - Employee Relations & Special Investigations
Northrop Grumman
03.2015 - 02.2024
Manager, ER, HR, and Compliance
Icore Networks
08.2014 - 03.2015
Manager, Investigations
QinetiQ North America
01.2012 - 08.2014
Sr. Employee Relations & Criminal Analyst
Computer Sciences
04.2011 - 01.2012
HR Business Partner (Rotational)
Lockheed Martin
10.2008 - 04.2011
Criminal Justice Intern
Radford University
08.2003 - 12.2008
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Radford University
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