Melanie Kennedy
Medford,NJ
Summary
Transformational Chief Human Resources Officer with extensive experience in leading teams and fostering inclusive workplaces. Strategic advisor to executive leadership, driving growth and enhancing employee engagement. Skilled communicator with a focus on relationship building and vision execution, aligning HR strategies with corporate objectives to enhance performance and support business success.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer
American Water
Camden, USA
03.2017 - 03.2025
- Promoted from SVP of HR in 2017 to Chief HR Officer in 2020 and EVP in 2021, becoming a key executive leadership team member.
- Led HR strategy and execution for largest publicly traded US water/wastewater utility, serving millions of customers across 14 states and 18 military installations with 6,700 employees.
- Developed and executed human capital strategies aligned with corporate objectives, driving business results and enhancing employee engagement.
- Consulted with senior leadership on strategic decisions regarding organizational design and structure changes.
- Drove leadership development programs and succession planning, establishing a robust pipeline of future leaders for multiple C-suite transitions.
- Executive sponsor for inclusion and belonging, significantly improving culture, engagement and benefits programs.
- Designed competitive compensation and benefits plans, resulting in $6M+ savings through effective benefits design and vendor management.
- Served as executive management lead for the Executive Compensation and Development Committee, overseeing executive incentive programs.
- Managed $24M budget, achieving cost savings through process improvements and negotiations.
- Led collective bargaining negotiations, achieving significant savings and fostering improved labor relations.
Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations
American Water
Camden, USA
01.2016 - 03.2017
- Directed HR operations for 6,500 employees across 14+ states, overseeing 70+ collective bargaining agreements while advising senior leadership on HR best practices.
- Directed HR integration during mergers and acquisitions, facilitating seamless transitions and maintaining operational continuity.
- Enhanced collaboration with national unions, fostering improved communication and operational efficiency.
Human Resources Director
American Water
Camden, USA
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Spearheaded the hire to retire arm of a $280M enterprise-wide transformation initiative involving SAP system upgrades, process redesigns, and organizational optimization.
- Reformed HR functions, implementing a new human capital management (HCM) system and establishing the company’s first HR centers of excellence.
- Led HR strategies for corporate offices and major state subsidiaries, enhancing employee and labor relations, workforce planning, and employee development initiatives.
- Oversaw executive leadership and managed special projects as interim VP of HR (Oct 2011 – Apr 2012), including succession and contingency planning.
Labor and Employment In-House Counsel
American Water
Camden, USA
03.2007 - 01.2011
- Managed employment and labor counseling, litigation portfolio, and immigration visa sponsorships, implementing key policies including first record retention policy.
- Provided legal counsel and participated in labor negotiations, representing company in bargaining discussions.
- Provided legal counsel on regulatory compliance for water utilities.
- Drafted and reviewed contracts for vendor and service agreements.
- Managed litigation strategies in coordination with outside counsel.
Labor and Employment Attorney
Cozen O’Conner/Klett Rooney/Pitney Hardin
Philadelphia, USA
01.1998 - 03.2007
- Represented clients in employment and labor legal matters, managed litigation, negotiated contracts, and developed policies to maintain compliance and protect client interests.
- Drafted legal documents for complex litigation cases.
- Conducted in-depth legal research on various issues.
- Represented clients in court proceedings and negotiations.
Education
Juris Doctorate (JD) -
Rutgers School of Law
05.1998
Bachelor of Arts - English and Political Science
University of Rhode Island
05.1995
Skills
- Talent management
- Succession planning
- Executive compensation
- Organizational design
- Labor relations
- Strategic planning
- Executive coaching
- Employee engagement
Certification
Executive Coaching, 09/01/25
Volunteer Experience
- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of New Jersey, 09/01/25, Present
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs, 12/01/25
Awards
- Diversity in Business Award, Philadelphia Business Journal, 08/01/22
- Women of Distinction, Philadelphia Business Journal, 01/01/19
Board Memberships
- Cooper University Hospital Finance Committee, Trustee, 01/01/23, Present
- Health Transformation Alliance (HTA), Member, 01/01/18, 12/31/25
- Medford Education Foundation, Trustee, 01/01/16, 12/31/18
Timeline
EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer
American Water
03.2017 - 03.2025
Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations
American Water
01.2016 - 03.2017
Human Resources Director
American Water
01.2011 - 01.2016
Labor and Employment In-House Counsel
American Water
03.2007 - 01.2011
Labor and Employment Attorney
Cozen O’Conner/Klett Rooney/Pitney Hardin
01.1998 - 03.2007
Juris Doctorate (JD) -
Rutgers School of Law
Bachelor of Arts - English and Political Science
University of Rhode Island