Stefany Thornton
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented Human Resources Business Partner with over 10 years of experience aligning talent strategies with business objectives to enhance organizational performance. Proven expertise in employee relations, talent development, workforce optimization, and change management across various industries. Renowned for cultivating strong partnerships with leadership to implement HR initiatives that elevate engagement, retention, and workplace culture. Adept at utilizing data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions, ensure compliance, and streamline HR processes while fostering inclusive, high-performing environments.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Human Resources Manager
Taco John’s International
2022 - Current
- Serve as a strategic HR partner to business leaders, aligning people strategies with organizational goals to drive performance and growth.
- Shape and execute people strategies that strengthen culture, optimize workforce planning, and deliver measurable business impact.
- Leverage data to influence decisions, identify workforce trends, and present actionable insights to senior leadership.
- Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by designing and leading initiatives that foster belonging, boost engagement, and enhance organizational reputation.
- Oversee core HR functions, including performance management, compensation planning, benefits administration, compliance, and employee relations.
- Implemented AI-driven recruiting technology, reduced time-to-hire by 60%, and elevated candidate quality across critical roles.
- Streamlined processes to improve the employee experience and attract top talent.
- Coach and guide leaders through complex employee relations and performance issues, ensuring legal compliance and best practices.
- Drive organizational change efforts, deploying change management strategies to maintain employee engagement and culture during transitions.
- Conduct audits to ensure HR data integrity and regulatory compliance, proactively mitigating risk.
Human Resources Manager
Warnerco Inc., dba Qdoba Mexican Eats
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Proactively trained new managers on HR systems and conducted audits to ensure compliance, data accuracy, and consistent application of policies.
- Restructured compensation plans and launched incentive programs that strengthened employee performance and retention.
- Served as primary liaison for unemployment hearings, audits, and regulatory agencies, ensuring organizational compliance.
- Optimized HRIS, ATS, and payroll administration to proactively ensure compliance, strengthen data accuracy, and provide leadership with reliable workforce reporting.
Director of Human Resources
Wisdom Executives
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Promoted for exceeding performance benchmarks in HR and recruiting operations.
- Directed all HR functions including compensation design, onboarding, coaching, and compliance.
- Established processes that increased consistency and strengthened employer branding.
Education
Master of Arts - Human Resources Management
Concordia University St. Paul
St. Paul, MNBachelor of Arts - Spanish Studies
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Skills
- Change Management
- Talent Management
- Compensation and Benefits
- Retention strategies
- Benefits administration
- Diversity and inclusion
- Recruitment strategies
- Multi-State Compliance
- Communication
- Policy implementation
- Employee retention
- Employee relations
Certification
SHRM-SCP
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Human Resources Manager
Warnerco Inc., dba Qdoba Mexican Eats
01.2015 - 01.2022
Director of Human Resources
Wisdom Executives
01.2013 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Studies
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Human Resources Manager
Taco John’s International
2022 - Current
Master of Arts - Human Resources Management
Concordia University St. Paul
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