Laura Kinnunen
Columbus,OH
Summary
Strategic HR professional with experience supporting large, complex organizations through talent management, employee relations, workforce planning, and organizational development. Known for building strong partnerships with leaders, coaching managers through sensitive issues, and using data-driven insights to influence decisions. Skilled in navigating ambiguity, driving culture initiatives, and delivering HR programs that enhance engagement and performance. Experienced supporting diverse employee groups, including technical, corporate, and union-adjacent environments.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Generalist
Battelle Memorial Institute
Columbus, OH
07.2022 - Current
- Support 1,500+ employees across National Security and corporate functions, delivering strategic and tactical HR partnership.
- Partner with senior HRBPs and business leaders to execute talent assessments, succession planning, promotions, workforce planning, and salary planning, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Analyze workforce and HR data to identify trends, equity issues, and opportunities for improvement; provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
- Coach managers on performance management, employee relations, and leadership effectiveness, addressing routine to complex issues with sound judgment.
- Lead and support disciplinary actions, investigations, and sensitive employee relations matters, ensuring consistency and compliance.
- Collaborate with Centers of Expertise to deliver integrated HR solutions across compensation, talent development, and organizational effectiveness.
- Conduct salary audits to proactively identify and resolve pay equity concerns.
- Strengthen employee experience by supporting engagement initiatives, development conversations, and culture-building efforts.
Gift & Biographical Records Specialist / Deputy Coordinator
The Ohio State University Foundation
09.2016 - 07.2022
- Led and managed training programs for employees with deputy access to the donor database.
- Processed charitable gifts for the university and hospital network with a 3-day turnaround time.
- Delivered high-quality customer service and maintained accuracy in donor and gift records.
Learning & Development Intern
Battelle Memorial Institute
05.2020 - 04.2021
- Supported enterprise learning initiatives, including change management for the Career Enablement Project.
- Built training curriculum in SuccessFactors and developed assessments in Articulate 360 for performance management and time reporting programs.
- Contributed to the refresh of annual training modules, improving clarity and user experience.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Ohio University
Athens, OHMaster of Human Resource Management - undefined
The Ohio State University
05-2021
Skills
- Employee Relations & Investigations
- Talent & Succession Planning
- Workforce Analytics & HR Metrics
- Performance Management
- Organizational Development
- Change Management
- HRIS (SuccessFactors)
- Microsoft 365 & Copilot
- Power BI
- Strategic partnership with leaders
- Strong communication and coaching skills
- Data-driven decision-making
- Conflict resolution & problem-solving
- Project management in fast-paced environments
- Adaptability and curiosity
- Service-oriented mindset
- Collaboration across HR functions
Timeline
HR Generalist
Battelle Memorial Institute
07.2022 - Current
Learning & Development Intern
Battelle Memorial Institute
05.2020 - 04.2021
Gift & Biographical Records Specialist / Deputy Coordinator
The Ohio State University Foundation
09.2016 - 07.2022
Master of Human Resource Management - undefined
The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Ohio University