Leah Huganir
Henderson
Summary
Strategic Human Resources executive with extensive leadership experience in multi-state healthcare and behavioral health sectors. Drives workforce strategy and organizational effectiveness while enhancing employee relations and talent management. Builds trusted partnerships and aligns people strategies with business objectives to foster culture transformation.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Interim Vice President, Human Resources
American Addiction Centers
Henderson
05.2026 - Current
- Serve as executive HR leader for a multi-state behavioral healthcare organization with approximately 1,200 employees across 10+ facilities nationwide.
- Partner directly with the CEO and executive leadership team on organizational strategy, workforce planning, compensation, compliance, talent management, and employee relations.
- Direct enterprise-wide HR initiatives, including organizational design, workforce planning, compensation governance, leadership development, and HR operational effectiveness.
- Lead the HR function through executive leadership transition following the departure of the Chief Human Resources Officer.
- Provide executive oversight for complex employee relations matters, investigations, organizational risk mitigation, and employment law compliance.
- Collaborated with executive teams to drive strategic HR initiatives supporting business growth.
- Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, embedding inclusive practices throughout workforce operations.
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
American Addiction Centers
10.2025 - 05.2026
- Served as lead HR Business Partner supporting all AAC facilities and corporate functions across eight behavioral healthcare locations nationwide.
- Partnered with executive and operational leaders on workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, talent management, employee relations, compensation, and compliance.
- Led enterprise employee relations investigations and advised leadership on complex workplace matters involving performance management, policy interpretation, and risk mitigation.
- Supported succession planning, leadership development, and retention initiatives across multiple facilities and business units.
- Collaborated on enterprise-wide HR projects, including HRIS implementation, compensation reviews, talent management processes, and organizational change initiatives.
- Utilized workforce analytics and HR metrics to identify trends and inform strategic business decisions.
Regional Human Resources Business Partner
American Addiction Centers
08.2023 - 10.2025
- Served as senior HR leader supporting behavioral healthcare operations across facilities in Nevada, California, Texas, and Mississippi.
- Partnered with executive and facility leadership teams to align workforce strategies with operational goals and business priorities.
- Directed employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, talent development, and organizational effectiveness initiatives across a multi-state healthcare portfolio.
- Advised leaders on complex employee relations matters, investigations, policy interpretation, and employment law compliance.
- Led retention, succession planning, and leadership development efforts that strengthened workforce stability and talent pipelines.
- Supported organizational growth, restructuring efforts, and culture-building initiatives through effective change management and strategic HR partnership.
- Leveraged workforce analytics and HR metrics to improve retention, engagement, and overall organizational performance.
People Operations Manager
Endo Pharmaceuticals
10.2021 - 06.2023
- Promoted to lead enterprise employee engagement, culture, wellness, onboarding, and leadership development initiatives supporting a global workforce.
- Developed and implemented employee engagement initiatives that fostered a positive workplace culture.
- Collaborated with leadership to align talent strategies with organizational goals.
- Managed onboarding processes that facilitated seamless integration of new hires.
- Facilitated training programs to improve employee skills and performance.
- Conducted workforce planning to address staffing needs and resource allocation.
- Led conflict resolution efforts that contributed to a consistently positive work environment.
- Analyzed HR metrics to identify trends and inform strategic decisions.
- Created policies and procedures related to people operations that are compliant with local laws and regulations.
Senior Human Resources Associate
Endo Pharmaceuticals
09.2019 - 10.2021
- Developed and implemented HR policies aligned with company values.
- Implemented new policies and procedures related to recruitment, onboarding, training and development.
- Facilitated employee onboarding and orientation processes for new hires.
- Organized training programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge.
- Facilitated performance management activities such as performance reviews and goal setting processes for all employees.
- Participated in various projects related to organizational development initiatives such as succession planning, career pathing.
- Supported compliance with labor laws and company regulations consistently.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to human resources activities.
Human Resources Associate
Endo Pharmaceuticals
05.2015 - 09.2019
- Served as Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and supported enterprise HR strategy, HR Business Partner operations, talent initiatives, employee feedback programs, and executive projects.
- Managed employee onboarding and orientation programs for new hires.
- Assisted in developing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
- Coordinated employee training sessions to enhance professional development.
- Supported performance management processes through documentation and follow-up.
- Collaborated with management on employee engagement initiatives and events.
- Communicated regularly with department heads on matters related to staffing needs or organizational changes.
- Prepared reports summarizing recruitment activities, turnover rates, absenteeism statistics.
- Organized orientation sessions for new employees and provided necessary paperwork.
Payroll Supervisor
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc
04.2014 - 05.2015
- Led multi-state payroll operations, compliance, incentive compensation administration, and payroll process improvement initiatives.
- Publicly traded pharmaceutical company acquired by Endo, supporting approximately 750 employees across 45 states.
Compensation Administrator
ViroPharma
02.2012 - 03.2014
- Managed domestic and international equity compensation programs, regulatory compliance, executive compensation administration, and stock plan operations. Operated domestic payroll for 750 employees nationwide.
- Global, publicly traded biopharmaceutical company specializing in therapies for rare diseases.
Senior Finance Specialist
Adolor Pharmaceuticals
01.2010 - 02.2012
- Publicly traded biopharmaceutical company acquired by Cubist Pharmaceuticals in 2011.
- Developed and implemented compensation strategies aligned with company goals.
- Collaborated with HR partners to create equitable pay practices across departments.
- Administered employee compensation programs ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Conducted training sessions on compensation practices for HR teams and leadership.
- Collaborated with accounting teams on long-term incentive plans, commission plans and company stock programs.
- Coordinated the annual merit increase program, ensuring equitable distribution of funds across departments.
- Collaborated with legal counsel regarding any potential disputes related to wages or benefits.
Finance Specialist
Adolor Pharmaceuticals
09.2001 - 01.2010
- Led finance, payroll, benefits, equity compensation, purchasing, and accounts payable teams to support financial operations in a growing pharmaceutical organization.
Education
Bachelor of Science - BSBA Human Resources And Organizational Management
Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJBusiness Administration
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Skills
- HR leadership
- Talent Management & Succession Planning
- Workforce planning
- Change leadership
- Compensation strategy
- Employee relations
- HR Compliance & Employment Law
- Diversity and inclusion
- Culture transformation
- Leadership development
- Mergers and acquisitions
- HR technology
- HRIS and payroll
Websites
Certification
- Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
- Certified Wellness Coach (2022)
- Leadership & Facilitation Certification, Create Karma Non-Profit Leadership (2021)
- 500-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance (2020)
- Certified Facilitator, Human Performance Program (2019)
- "Love Your Brain" Certified Yoga Instructor (2018)
- Certified Meditation Instructor (2017)
- Certified Yoga Instructor for Trauma & Recovery (2017)
- 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance (2017)
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Endo's Alliance for Women Employee Resource Group, Founding Member, Empowering women at Endo to come together in support and solidarity.
- Coatesville Veteran's Administration, Volunteer yoga instructor, 2018, 2021, Leading trauma informed yoga for female veterans in transitional housing at the VA.
- Love Your Brain, volunteer yoga teacher, Teaching accessible yoga to people who have experienced brain injuries and their caregivers.
Timeline
Interim Vice President, Human Resources
American Addiction Centers
05.2026 - Current
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
American Addiction Centers
10.2025 - 05.2026
Regional Human Resources Business Partner
American Addiction Centers
08.2023 - 10.2025
People Operations Manager
Endo Pharmaceuticals
10.2021 - 06.2023
Senior Human Resources Associate
Endo Pharmaceuticals
09.2019 - 10.2021
Human Resources Associate
Endo Pharmaceuticals
05.2015 - 09.2019
Payroll Supervisor
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc
04.2014 - 05.2015
Compensation Administrator
ViroPharma
02.2012 - 03.2014
Senior Finance Specialist
Adolor Pharmaceuticals
01.2010 - 02.2012
Finance Specialist
Adolor Pharmaceuticals
09.2001 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Science - BSBA Human Resources And Organizational Management
Thomas Edison State University
Business Administration
West Chester University of Pennsylvania