Lillian Perez-Unger
Tucson,AZ
Summary
Strategic HR leader with 16+ years of experience in high-speed, high-growth environments guiding business transformation, leadership development, and high-impact talent strategies. Proven track record of partnering with C-suite executives and global business units to deliver HR solutions that drive performance, cultural alignment, and business growth. Expert in navigating complex employee relations, workforce planning, organizational change, and leadership coaching.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Human Resources Manager (Director level)
Caterpillar Inc
Tucson, AZ
01.2019 - Current
- Strategic HR leader to executive and senior leaders responsible for managing human resources for the Resource Industries and Operations division (25,000 employees), including the Tucson Proving Ground (manufacturing and testing facility).
- Lead and design division-wide talent initiatives resulting in a high-performance organization.
- Direct workforce planning, talent acquisition, and succession planning initiatives to build leadership pipelines.
- Conducted in-depth data analysis to identify trends and recommend human capital solutions that drive performance and engagement.
- 100% of critical roles have an identified successor list of those who are ready-now, ready 1-2 years, and ready 3+ years.
- Provide strategic counsel and coaching to senior leaders on talent development, organizational effectiveness, change management, and performance optimization.
- Implemented division’s learning demand planning as an annual initiative to ensure a thoughtful and intentional development plan for employees within allocated budget.
- Developed a full cycle leadership development program, from entry-level leaders to executive leader.
- Regarded as trusted coach to senior leaders.
- Project lead for HR technology implementation (Workday) to streamline processes and enhance employee experience.
Consulting Human Resources Business Partner and HR Strategy Lead
Raytheon
Tucson, AZ
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Promoted to serve in a newly created dual role.
- As a Consulting HRBP developed HR initiatives for the Guidance Navigation and Controls organization while supporting the Office of the Chief Engineer.
- As HR Strategy Lead, developed strategies impacting the RMS Engineering organization.
- Partnered with D&I COE to develop the first transgender support process and training material for leaders.
- Consulted with external organizations experts in the field to compile learning for leaders.
- Strong understanding of HR policies and procedures leveraged to create a retention process for critical skill talent across the Engineering organization.
- Counseled leaders on top-tier learning solutions in areas such as team dynamics, leadership development, and conflict resolution.
- Prior organizations supported as a HRBP for Raytheon were Marketing/Communications, Export/Import, Contracts, and IT.
Human Resources Generalist/Manager (Americas region)
Leica Geosystems
Tucson, AZ
01.2012 - 01.2014
- In a start-up environment, stood up the HR organization by leading the design and implementation of the full range of human resources services in a rapidly growing 1500+ organization across U.S., Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Canada.
- Led HR support across business functions (Engineering, IT, Marketing, Sales, Product Development).
- Provided strategic HR counsel to executive leadership on all talent matters.
- Developed and implemented HR services to deliver high-quality standardized solutions across the Americas region.
- Partnered with division President, Vice-Presidents, and Regional Managers while supporting all levels of local leadership.
- Collaborated with senior leadership and HR stakeholders to define talent policies that enhanced compliance and organizational agility.
- Coaching leaders on people-related matters including talent assessment, development, organization effectiveness, change management and high-performing team dynamics.
- Serve as a liaison to regional leaders in EMEA, LATAM, and APAC, ensuring global talent program consistency and knowledge sharing.
- Led M&A activities (from due diligence to integration) for a global acquisition effort spanning eight countries: U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Canada, U.K., Switzerland.
- Developed talent development strategy for South America, Central America and North America regions.
- Designed and delivered global talent development framework to support business objectives.
- Achieved corporate’s mandatory learning expectation.
- Within the first 12 months, high-potential talent had a confirmed career plan that was meaningful and actionable.
Leadership Development Director
YWCA
Tucson, AZ
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Developed and organized leadership development courses, conferences, and seminars for women in southern Arizona for various local companies.
- Responsible for identifying, assessing and managing vendor contracts.
- Collaborate with external experts to design, learning and career development content.
- Presented ideas and implementation plans to leaders to increase the visibility of offerings.
- Managed a team of 10 consultants.
- Led annual compliance audits and RFP process.
Business Director (adult learning)
MAC
Tucson, AZ
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Designed and organized learning programs, seminars, and conferences for minority business owners in southern Arizona.
- Responsible for identifying, assessing and managing vendor contracts.
- Collaborated with business experts to design program curriculum.
- Leveraged tools to arrive at data-driven decisions on programming.
- Presented to Board of Directors.
- Led annual compliance audits and RPF process.
Education
Organizational Effectiveness - undefined
Villanova University
01.2019
MBA - undefined
University of Phoenix
01.2014
Project Management Program Certificate - undefined
University of Arizona
01.2009
B.S. - Management and Policy
University of Arizona
Skills
Talent Management
Global Human Resources
Succession Planning
Recruitment
Certification
- Senior Professional in Human Resources, Human Resources Certificate Institute, 01/01/16
- SHRM- Senior Certified Professional, Society for Human Resources Management, 01/01/16
- Succession Planning Certificate, AIHR, in progress
- Organizational Effectiveness, Villanova University, 01/01/19
- Project Management Program Certificate, University of Arizona, 01/01/09
Timeline
Human Resources Manager (Director level)
Caterpillar Inc
01.2019 - Current
Consulting Human Resources Business Partner and HR Strategy Lead
Raytheon
01.2014 - 01.2019
Human Resources Generalist/Manager (Americas region)
Leica Geosystems
01.2012 - 01.2014
Leadership Development Director
YWCA
01.2011 - 01.2012
Business Director (adult learning)
MAC
01.2009 - 01.2011
Organizational Effectiveness - undefined
Villanova University
MBA - undefined
University of Phoenix
Project Management Program Certificate - undefined
University of Arizona
B.S. - Management and Policy
University of Arizona
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