Melissa Wald
Summary
Trusted advisor with a proven ability to build strategic relationships with business leaders, key partners, and internal stakeholders. Proposes creative solutions to complex problems, even in situations where others may be hesitant to explore unconventional approaches.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Fractional HRBP
Wald Consulting
01.2021 - Current
- Provided fractional HR consulting to a diverse client base, including stealth start-ups of 20 to growing mid-sized companies of over 1000+ people
- Specialized in SaaS, Supply Chain, AI, Non-Profit and IT Services
- Expertise spans various business domains, supporting multiple functions
- Designed training initiatives and mentor programs to enhance the experience for new hires and transfers
- Implemented performance management program to increase engagement and retention within the business
- Created and drove the organizational, leadership, and succession planning talent bench
- Drove operational excellence - HRIS implementation project – Generated 16% cost savings
- Spearheaded workforce management initiatives, overseeing successful recruitment and onboarding of hiring classes
- Led culture assessment and revamp which increased satisfaction poll by 22% and reduced retention concerns
- Created micro development trainings to ensure leaders are set up to create ‘Best Teams’; 85% of leaders attended
- Managed multiple employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations and workforce related matters.
Human Resources Business Partner
CISCO
MILPITAS, CA
01.2013 - 01.2020
- Provided global HR strategic partner to senior leadership (SVPs/VPs +; up to 3000 client base)
- Created and led project for evaluation of Leaders from multiple businesses (GTM, Cloud, Security, Service, M&A, Engineering)
- Identified global performance and nomination objectives and established leveling assessment and promotion criteria
- Incubated and integrated multiple acquisitions; Completing full evaluation and integration of people, systems, and processes
- Created ‘Talent Advocate Network’ which developed set of consistent foundational skills for managers. 75+% of managers regularly attended and manager satisfaction increased by 17% within 6 months.
- Co-designed and managed national compensation re-leveling project for the Engineering organization (3000+ employees)
- Designed strategy to address the “Attitude and Aptitude” of the workforce to ensure increased competency, improved engagement and overall business results
- Company Awards: Special HR Bonus (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), Special Stock Award (2016, 2017, 2018).
Sr. Human Resources Business Partner
MICROSOFT
MT. VIEW, CA
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Provided HR strategic support to senior leadership within Professional Services and Engineering (1000 client base- multiple VPs – Location: Global)
- Managed multiple teams (direct and indirect)
- Implemented workforce transformation strategy which was driven by company goals, customer needs and performance metrics
- Program addressed the “Attitude and Aptitude” of workforce to ensure increased competency and improved engagement by 38%
- All objectives met 18 months ahead of schedule
- Executed Career Advisory Board (CAB) in US & WW
- Program provided technical individuals with developmental feedback to prepare them for next career shift
- Used as worldwide “reference model”
- Six Sigma Green Belt: Project focused on performance management
- Reduced underperforming employees and enabled managers to maximize performance
- Cost savings 800K+
- Company Awards: Individual HR Award (2012, 2013), Special Stock Award (2010), Gold Star Award (2009), HR Star Award (2008), Most Valuable Player (2007, 2008, 2009)
- Promoted from HRBP to Sr
- HRBP in 2009.
Education
Master of Arts M.A. - Life and Career Decisions
University of San Francisco
Bachelor of Arts B.A. - Psychology & Business
Whittier College
Six Sigma - Green Belt Certified
Skills
- HR Strategy
- Change Management
- Leadership/Talent Development
- Performance Management
- Executive Coaching
- Employee Relations
Timeline
Fractional HRBP
Wald Consulting
01.2021 - Current
Human Resources Business Partner
CISCO
01.2013 - 01.2020
Sr. Human Resources Business Partner
MICROSOFT
01.2007 - 01.2013
Master of Arts M.A. - Life and Career Decisions
University of San Francisco
Bachelor of Arts B.A. - Psychology & Business
Whittier College