MELISSA DONAHUE

Pivoted to provide executive leadership across the benefits and HR compliance functions for a newly formed, private equity owned organization, gaining valuable startup experience, and sharing best practices. Manage the Benefits strategy for 7000 employees in North America. as a member of the Rewards Leadership Team.

• Led the strategic direction for $190M+ U.S. Benefits spend, overhauled employee communications and implemented long-term strategies for funding, plan design, and consolidation of programs.
• Consulted with C-suite and other key stakeholders to define Benefits strategy and philosophy to deliver solutions that align with business needs and support workforce planning.
• Established controls to successfully implement and manage benefits programs, helping to create a startup company.
• Redesigned benefits service model after divestiture, resulting in improved service for employees and their families.
• Led compliance audit, creating process improvements and redesign of document deployment to 7000 employees in 38 states.
• Designed ongoing process flow for maintenance and creation of all BlueTriton policies and procedures.
• Created organization wide reporting to complete necessary yearly filings, such as EEO-1, AAP, CA PDR.
• Developed strategy to execute yearly compliance training to wired/non-wired population.
• Chair of 401(k) Investment, Benefits, and Compliance Committees.

Led strategic direction of benefits design, compliance, implementation, and administration for health, wellbeing, and retirement programs across North American organization for 18,00 employees. Evaluate and partner with vendors and consultants to benchmark and develop competitive, cost-effective benefits programs to attract and retain quality workforce. Manage three direct reports and $390M budget. Create and drive communication initiatives to engage employees and cultivate buy-in for change management. Partner with legal division to ensure state and federal regulatory compliance.

• Developed, managed, and scaled center of excellence (COE) and shared services model, integrating four businesses to build unified North American benefits infrastructure and resources.
• Pioneered numerous integrations due to M&As throughout tenure, including large-scale integration folding 1,500 employees into benefits plans as well as company-offered benefits policies.
• Designed and launched employee wellness program with expanded holistic offerings to encourage productivity and wellbeing, including financial wellness, at-home health programs, and fitness reimbursements.
• Launched comprehensive flexible work policy to provide productive and effective remote and hybrid working solutions, as well as boost employee satisfaction and retention.
• Designed specialized leave of absence (LOA) policy to adapt to challenges presented by global pandemic to drive business continuity and sustain operations.
• Led the successful consolidation of NQDC administration vendors from 4 to 1, that resulted in a 10% reduction in costs.
• Harmonized Canadian Retirement Plans, merging two businesses to create a unified retirement plan with multiple contribution vehicles and consistent approach employer match.

Facilitated benefits strategy, design, benchmarking, budgeting, and compliance across US organization, as well as managed global benefits operations, including infrastructure setup, new benefits rollout, and vendor management. Managed $500M+ budget for health and welfare, retirements, and rewards programs for global company with 30,000 employees in 100 countries. Spearheaded and owned annual enrollment. Proactively monitored global market trends to mitigate impact of Affordable Care Act (ACA) and ensure compliance with constantly evolving trends in COBRA, Employee Retirement Income Act of 1974 (ERISA), and HIPAA. Leveraged emerging technologies and drove strategic communication initiatives to boost operational efficiency.

• Produced 10% cost savings and provided additional healthcare options and flexibility for employees by developing and launching a high deductible health plan with HSA (health savings account).
• Concepted, created, and established benefits microsite to improve communication and provide convenient 24/7 benefits education and access for employees.
• Led HR transformation activities for Global Benefits to new COE/HR Operations model.
• Integrated emerging technologies and global trends to optimize operations.
• Created and implemented benefits module within Workday to improve compliance, reduce risk, and provide transparency of data to fuel key decision-making.

Managed the long-term strategic planning and day-to-day operations of global benefits. Collaborated with key stakeholders, building strong organizational relationships to lead change management through influence. Facilitated adjustments in benefits administration vendors to optimize workflows and increase cost savings.

• Leveraged innovative technology to streamline processes.
• Ensured compliance of programs with state and federal laws and company standards.
• Developed global LOA policy and management guidelines to support staff implementation.
• Designed and launched a new hire orientation program with decision support tools to enhance onboarding experience and drive long-term employee retention.
• Successfully delivered redesign of U.S. wellness program; led communication roll-out and education campaign.