Kristal Donahue
Baraboo,WI
Summary
Accomplished global benefits professional with expertise in designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive benefits programs across diverse international markets. Leverages strong analytical skills to drive data-driven decision-making and ensure regulatory compliance while optimizing benefits packages. Collaborative leader skilled in working with cross-functional teams to enhance employee engagement through innovative solutions. Committed to creating seamless employee experiences and continuously improving benefits programs to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Benefits Program Manager
Zendesk
Remote
03.2022 - Current
- Lead the management of benefits programs across the U.S., Canada, LATAM, and globally
- Complete RFPs as needed to ensure competitive offerings
- Direct strategic oversight of benefit plans in the U.S., Canada, and LATAM including medical insurance, retirement plans, risk insurance, COBRA, and compliance
- Lead the management of leave programs and policies on a global scale
- Serve as the primary liaison with brokers, providers, and vendors to ensure plans remain competitive, cost-effective, and aligned with industry best practices
- Collaborate with senior leadership to assess and implement benefit strategies that enhance employee engagement and align with organizational objectives
- Oversee the comprehensive execution of benefits-related projects, including renewals, audits, compliance updates, and system implementations
- Work closely with payroll, HRIS, legal, and HR teams to ensure seamless integration and execution of benefit programs
- Advocate for employee experience by developing accessible, well-communicated benefits resources and educational programs that empower employees to maximize their benefits
Senior Benefits Partner
Zendesk
Remote
03.2021 - 04.2022
- Collaborated with legal, compliance, HRIS on a full leave review for all 24 countries
- Lead the strategic management of benefit across Canada including (but not limited to) medical insurance, retirement plans, risk insurance, spending accounts, etc.
- Project manage open enrollment
- Manage/partner (with) our network of brokers and providers across to ensure plans operate smoothly, project manage renewals and facilitate statutory or company driven updates/changes
- Effectively manage cross functional partnerships with payroll, HRITS, human resources etc.
- Focus on employee experience to ensure benefits and leaves are easily understood and accessible
- Evolve existing processes and build operational excellence for benefit admin
- Develop collaborative relationships with key partners across the org
Benefits Partner
Zendesk
Remote
05.2019 - 04.2021
- Lead the strategic management of benefit across Canada including (but not limited to) medical insurance, retirement plans, risk insurance, spending accounts, etc.
- Manage and administer all FMLA, ADA and leave of absence requests, including disability coordination and California leaves
- Ensure the accuracy of information to and from benefit vendors
- Internally communicate policies and procedures specific to benefits and FMLA
- Evaluate and recommend process improvement opportunities
- Assist in the coordination of annual benefits enrollment and benefit communication projects
- Assist employees with benefit related questions and/or issues, including working with benefit carriers to investigate and resolve insurance claim issues
- Research new legislation and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
Benefits Analyst
Spectrum Brands
Middleton, WI
06.2018 - 05.2019
- Oversee and administer all FMLA, ADA, and leave of absence requests, including disability coordination and California-specific leaves
- Ensure the accuracy of information exchanged with benefit vendors
- Assess and recommend opportunities for process improvements
- Support the coordination of annual benefits enrollment and benefit communication initiatives
- Assist employees with benefit-related inquiries and issues, collaborating with benefit carriers to investigate and resolve insurance claim problems
- Administer time-off and leave policies for employees across the U.S
Benefits Specialist
Spectrum Brands
Middleton, Wisconsin
10.2017 - 06.2018
- Managed leave of absence, FMLA, ADA, and disability accommodations
- Reviewed and processed Qualified Medical Child Support Orders with accuracy
- Facilitated timely handling of escalations related to employee benefits
- Supported yearly benefit enrollments and life event updates
- Handled the compilation of forms 1094 and 1095 for ACA compliance
Benefits Coordinator
Spectrum Brands
Middleton, Wisconsin
10.2016 - 09.2017
- Provide benefit support to all 4,000+ employees in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico
- Respond to inquires, to the HR Helpdesk, regarding benefits and HR policies
- Processed benefit invoices for prompt weekly and monthly payments
- Administered employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, flex spending plans, and 401(k)
- Oversaw administration of benefit separations including COBRA
- Managed leave of absences and disabilities
- Managed timelines to ensure timely processing of 401(k) funding across various intervals
Education
MBA - Human Resource Management
University Wisconsin - Whitewater
Whitewater, WISkills
- Benefits plan design and cost management
- Project management
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
- Employee presentations and communications
- Change management
- Continuous improvement
- Vendor relationship management
- Compliance management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- MS Office, Google Suite, and various HRIS/HRMS programs
Timeline
Benefits Program Manager
Zendesk
03.2022 - Current
Senior Benefits Partner
Zendesk
03.2021 - 04.2022
Benefits Partner
Zendesk
05.2019 - 04.2021
Benefits Analyst
Spectrum Brands
06.2018 - 05.2019
Benefits Specialist
Spectrum Brands
10.2017 - 06.2018
Benefits Coordinator
Spectrum Brands
10.2016 - 09.2017
MBA - Human Resource Management
University Wisconsin - Whitewater
Similar Profiles
Chantara WardChantara Ward
Managed Services Consultant at ZendeskManaged Services Consultant at Zendesk
Ethan SalmEthan Salm
Senior Technical Support Engineer at ZendeskSenior Technical Support Engineer at Zendesk
María Alejandra QuijadaMaría Alejandra Quijada
Engagement Manager at ZendeskEngagement Manager at Zendesk