Merideth Kerby
BRIDGEWATER
Summary
Dynamic HR leader with proven expertise from Columbia University, specializing in strategic workforce planning and talent acquisition. Adept at leveraging HRM data to drive organizational success while fostering collaboration and engagement. Recognized for implementing effective performance management systems and enhancing employee relations through strong emotional intelligence and attention to detail.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive HR & Org Development Consultant
Self Employed Services
08.2025 - Current
- Human Resources Strategy and Organizational Development
- Employee Lifecycle Management
- Employee Relations and Dispute Resolution
- Leadership and Change Management
- Talent Acquisition and Recruitment
- Performance Management and Staff Development
- Data-Driven HR Analytics and Dashboard Development
- Develop HR strategies aligning with business goals and employee needs.
- Policy Development and Compliance
- Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building
- DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) Initiatives
- Design and implement performance management systems to streamline evaluations.
- Collaborate with leadership to design organizational development initiatives.
- Analyze HR metrics to identify trends and inform strategic decisions.
- Coordinated internal investigations when necessary regarding allegations of workplace misconduct.
Associate Dean, Human Resources & Administration
Columbia University
New York
01.2022 - 07.2025
- Managed the Human Resources and Facilities Operations teams overseeing their functions to ensure needs were addressed in a manner that was client-centered and efficient
- Participated in organizational planning and design meetings with senior leadership to set HR & Facilities initiatives, strategic direction and operational plans
- Played a leadership role in the development and execution of Human Resources & Facilities Operations policies and procedures in accordance with University, local, state, and federal policies
- Developed and managed strong working relationships with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Provost’s Office, Central University Human Resources, Labor Relations, and General Counsel in connection to remediation and corrective actions necessary in regard to HR and Facilities issues
- Oversaw the management of employee relations issues including dispute resolution, mediation, and disciplinary actions for union (UAW 2110) and non-union staff members
- Worked closely with the SPS Finance Team on issues related to HR & Facilities budgets and planning
- Drove the assessment & administration of compensation scales for the school, maintaining issues of parity while creating competitive salary packages
- Identified and implemented processes ensuring appropriate succession planning and addressing employee retention
- Developed and oversaw a system of effective performance reviews, linking individual performance to organizational outcomes, values and core competencies
- Managed recruitment and maintained active engagement opportunities for current employees
- Developed and implemented human resources and facilities policies and procedures
- Oversaw the management of personnel and payroll records including time and attendance and other personnel information in compliance with applicable laws and retention policies
- Communicated to staff regarding policies, processes, and procedures.
- School of Professional Studies
- Owned the end-to-end employee lifecycle; designed and implemented comprehensive hiring, on/off-boarding, processes. Created step-by-step playbooks including timelines, owners, and checklists
- Designed and launched a New Hire Orientation program covering standard human resources items and integrated the finance, facilities, information technology processes, and role specific training requirements based on position type
- Built and launched an HR dashboard with turnover, retention, headcount, leaves, recruiting costs, and onboarding; standardized definitions and automated data pipelines
- Formed the initial DEIA task force working group which established the foundation for the school’s DEIA Committee
- Led change management for transitioning from school-level PTO processes to a university-wide system and served on the cross-functional task force implementing a new job postings and applications on-line process
- Developed a strategic school-wide response associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic for more than 350 employees.
Executive Director, Strategic Planning & Administration, Alumni Relations & Communications
Columbia College
12.2016 - 01.2019
- Identified strategies for recruiting high-quality applicants including working with search firms, and creating extended outreach via various social media channels and advertising venues
- Guided senior leaders in unit structure and reorganization decisions including effectively forecasting long-term staffing needs
- Continually assessed staff responsibilities, job classifications, and compensation scales in order to maintain salary parity and equity across units
- Redesigned employee performance review process including the use of 360 feedback when needed
- Conducted needs assessments to increase employee engagement; as well as, envisioned and implemented an employee recognition program
- Provided coaching to employees and guidance to senior staff on performance issues and progressive discipline procedures
- Handled labor relations issues such as mediated UAW 2110 grievances and counseling managers on human capital issues
- Developed, recommended and implemented operating policies and procedures for the efficient functioning of the department
- Maintained personnel and payroll records including time and attendance and other personnel information in compliance with applicable laws and retention policies
- Acted as an effective principal liaison for central university departments including Human Resources, General Counsel, Treasurer, Facilities, Information Technology, and Procurement
- Rendered oversight to all financial, administrative, and operational functions providing thorough financial analysis and budget modeling, spearheaded the fiscal year-end closing process and oversaw the preparation of all departmental budget documents and quarterly reports
- Carried out systematic assessment of all budget requests and made informed recommendations to senior leaders including budget projections and impact for projects and initiatives.
- Led a task force to create a college-wide on/off-boarding process
- Developed strategies for effectively on-boarding new staff and promoting staff development
- Improved the performance of staff by establishing a philosophy focusing on common goals and visions of success
- Supported the implementation of staff development and performance management
- Consistently maintained under budget expenditures creating annual savings by establishing a planning point-of-view within a previously reactive environment
- Led department-wide effort to create the division core-values philosophy. Ensured all new hires were onboarded with this culture firmly outlined to support their success
- Collaborated with the Columbia College Information Technology department to design and implement an Alumni Reunion database.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
Columbia University
Certified Co-Active Professional Coach -
Coaches Training Institute (CTI)
Certified HR Professional -
Society for Human Resources (SHRM)
Skills
- Workforce Planning
- Career planning
- Bridge
- Leadership
- Empower leaders
- Execute organizational strategies
- Collaboration
- Cross functional
- Proven experience
- Current professional trends
- Leveraging HRM data
- Create narratives
- Recommendations
- HRM tools
- Adopting AI tools
- Identify improvement opportunities
- Acute listening
- Difficult situations and conversations
- Slack
- Human touch
- Ownership
- Confidentiality
- Attention to detail
- Knack for organizing processes
- Documentations
- Strong Emotional intelligence quotient
- Credibility
- Influence management
- Engage with HR COE’s
- HR Ops
- Total Rewards
- Talent Acquisition
Self Employment
Executive HR and Organizational Development Consultant, 08/2025 - Present
Qualifications Summary
Seasoned, performance-focused professional offering comprehensive experience in human resource management, financial administration, facilities operations, strategic planning, and relationship building.
Timeline
Executive HR & Org Development Consultant
Self Employed Services
08.2025 - Current
Associate Dean, Human Resources & Administration
Columbia University
01.2022 - 07.2025
Executive Director, Strategic Planning & Administration, Alumni Relations & Communications
Columbia College
12.2016 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Arts - English
Columbia University
Certified Co-Active Professional Coach -
Coaches Training Institute (CTI)
Certified HR Professional -
Society for Human Resources (SHRM)