SAADA N. GOLDEN
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Senior HR leader with 20+ years of experience in the Financial Services Industry, partnering with executive leadership to drive enterprise transformation, workforce strategy, and leadership capability in highly matrixed, global organizations. Trusted advisor known for leading complex change, scaling talent strategies, and delivering measurable business outcomes across the U.S. and APAC. Former Regional Head of HR Business Partnering and Employee Relations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Global HR Business Partner
Vanguard
07.2019 - Current
- Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to executive and senior leadership, aligning global people strategy with business priorities across highly matrixed, regulated environments.
- Lead enterprise and regional organizational design and transformation initiatives, optimizing structures, workforce models, and talent deployment to support growth, efficiency, and long-term performance.
- Drive workforce and succession planning strategies informed by data and business forecasts, strengthening leadership pipelines and critical role readiness.
- Coach senior leaders on change leadership, performance management, and team effectiveness to build inclusive, high-performing, and resilient organizations.
- Partner with business leaders to translate engagement and employee feedback into actionable plans that improve culture, retention, and productivity.
- Advise executives on complex people risks, organizational impacts, and talent decisions, balancing business outcomes with legal compliance and company values.
- Design and implement scalable HR interaction models and programs that improve employee experience while increasing operational effectiveness.
Regional Head of HR Business Partners & Employee Relations
Vanguard
01.2024 - 12.2024
- Selected for a 12-month expatriate assignment to serve as the senior HR leader for Vanguard Australia, supporting regional executive leadership through a period of transformation and growth.
- Acted as primary human capital strategist and advisor to regional leadership, aligning workforce strategy with business objectives, profitability, and regulatory requirements.
- Led and developed a regional team of HR Business Partners delivering enterprise people strategies and high-impact HR programs across the region.
- Directed complex and high-risk employee relations matters, ensuring effective risk mitigation, consistent application of policy, and alignment with employment law and company values.
- Led regional organizational design, job architecture, and workforce model redesign to improve efficiency, scalability, and role clarity.
- Developed and implemented a compelling regional Employee Value Proposition to strengthen talent attraction, engagement, and retention.
Manager, Leadership Development
Vanguard
07.2016 - 07.2019
- Led enterprise leadership development strategy and execution, building a robust pipeline of future leaders aligned to long-term business and succession priorities.
- Designed and delivered high-impact leadership development programs across multiple leadership levels, accelerating readiness, performance, and internal mobility.
- Partnered with senior business and HR leaders to assess organizational capability gaps and translate enterprise strategy into targeted leadership solutions.
- Consulted with executive and senior leaders on succession planning, leadership assessment, and development actions to strengthen bench strength for critical roles.
- Developed and implemented integrated learning strategies that combined experiential learning, coaching, and performance feedback to drive sustained behavior change.
- Provided executive-level coaching and performance management guidance to rotation managers, improving leader effectiveness, accountability, and development outcomes.
- Oversaw the design and delivery of a flagship summer internship program, creating meaningful development experiences and strengthening early-career talent pipelines and conversion.
Senior Learning Specialist
Vanguard
05.2007 - 07.2016
- Facilitated and delivered 20+ leadership and professional development programs within a CLO Magazine Top 5 Training Organization.
- Designed and implemented global leadership development curricula that strengthened enterprise capability and leadership pipelines.
- Managed end-to-end delivery of 100+ learning programs through Cornerstone LMS, ensuring consistency, quality, and operational excellence.
- Improved program efficiency and scalability by optimizing delivery models and renegotiating learning technology and vendor agreements.
Investment Specialist
Vanguard
01.2005 - 05.2007
- Oversaw a multi-million-dollar client portfolio, ensuring strategic alignment with financial goals.
- Advised clients on portfolio allocation and investment solutions to optimize returns and manage risk.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC05.2013
Bachelor of Arts - International Business
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, NC05.2024
Skills
- Global HR Strategy
- Large Scale Organizational Transformation
- Workforce & Succession Planning
- Executive Coaching & Leadership Development
- Change Management
- Employee Relations & Risk
- Talent & Engagement Strategy
Certification
GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL IN HUMAN RESOURCES (GPHR)
HR Certification Institute
EXECUTIVE COACHING
Queens University of Charlotte
SERIES 7 & 63
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
Timeline
Regional Head of HR Business Partners & Employee Relations
Vanguard
01.2024 - 12.2024
Global HR Business Partner
Vanguard
07.2019 - Current
Manager, Leadership Development
Vanguard
07.2016 - 07.2019
Senior Learning Specialist
Vanguard
05.2007 - 07.2016
Investment Specialist
Vanguard
01.2005 - 05.2007
Master of Business Administration -
Queens University of Charlotte
Bachelor of Arts - International Business
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Community Service
CHARLOTTE LAB SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Human Resources Lead
Governance Committee