Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

Stephanie LaVasseur Karpati

Henderson

Summary

HR executive with extensive experience in strategic workforce planning and performance management. Achievements include enhanced employee engagement and improved operational efficiency while maintaining compliance. Expertise in compensation architecture and leadership development supports organizational growth and fosters a culture of excellence. Proven ability in talent acquisition and employee relations drives high productivity and aligns HR strategies with business objectives.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Vice President of Human Resources

DBD THE STUDIO
Las Vegas
01.2024 - Current
  • Lead enterprise HR strategy for a multi-divisional creative and experiential events company.
  • Serve as a key member of the executive team, aligning human capital strategies with long-term business growth, operational scalability, and cultural transformation.
  • Achieved a full organizational restructure, enhancing leadership alignment, operational clarity, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Drove company growth from a regional entity to a national and international presence, expanding into multiple states and countries through strategic workforce planning and scalable HR infrastructure.
  • Rebuilt and optimized compensation architecture, introducing equity-focused pay structures and KPI-driven incentive programs.
  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive performance management system in Paycom, increasing accountability and driving goal alignment company wide.
  • Championed succession planning and leadership development, strengthening executive readiness and internal promotion pathways.
  • Ensured compliance excellence across employee relations, policy enforcement, and regulatory audits, maintaining risk-free operations.

Director of Human Resources

DBD THE STUDIO
Las Vegas
01.2023 - 01.2024
  • Oversaw company-wide HR operations during a period of rapid transformation and growth.
  • Served as a strategic advisor to leadership while modernizing HR systems, processes, and team structure to meet evolving business demands.
  • Led company-wide HR initiatives including compensation realignment, policy modernization, and compliance restructuring.
  • Supported organizational expansion by building scalable HR frameworks across multiple departments.
  • Spearheaded the integration of Paycom to streamline payroll, onboarding, and performance review processes.
  • Advised senior leadership on workforce planning, employee relations, and talent acquisition strategy.

Director of Human Resources

ASTOUND Group
Las Vegas
01.2021 - 01.2023
  • Directed global HR operations for a leading experiential design and fabrication firm serving Fortune 500 brands across North America.
  • Reported to the CEO and served on the executive leadership team.
  • Scaled the company from 100 to over 600 employees worldwide through strategic workforce planning, recruitment, and organizational design.
  • Led HR integration across U.S. and Canadian operations, streamlining processes and aligning policies to support cross-border growth.
  • Restructured HR systems post-COVID, increasing operational efficiency by 20% and reducing voluntary turnover by 18%.
  • Built out performance management and leadership development programs aligned with business KPIs.
  • Championed DEI and employee engagement initiatives, improving employee satisfaction scores and internal promotion rates.
  • Played a key role in M&A due diligence and integration planning during investor acquisition discussions.

Manager, Talent Acquisition

JC Hospitality | Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Las Vegas
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Built and scaled the People & Culture team for a flagship hotel launch.
  • Directed all recruitment operations during pre-opening and operational launch phases.
  • Increased applicant quality by 25% through targeted sourcing and employer branding initiatives.
  • Developed and executed diversity recruitment strategy, improving inclusive representation in key roles.
  • Built HR processes from the ground up including ATS configuration, SOP development, and departmental budgeting.
  • Delivered 100% compliance during all audits through robust documentation and proactive training.

HR Consultant (Contract)

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Las Vegas
01.2019 - 01.2020
  • Supported global HR initiatives, compliance audits, and onboarding redesign during a high-growth period.
  • Partnered with senior leadership to improve workforce policies, update handbooks, and streamline employee lifecycle programs.

Manager, Human Resources

Balsiger Insurance
Las Vegas
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Led HR strategy and day-to-day operations for a multi-location insurance firm, ensuring compliance, employee satisfaction, and business alignment.
  • Designed and implemented talent acquisition processes that reduced time-to-hire by 30%.
  • Introduced performance management tools to track KPIs and support merit-based compensation.
  • Developed and delivered compliance training, resulting in 100% adherence to labor laws and zero audit findings.
  • Served as strategic advisor to the executive team on workforce planning, compensation, and employee relations.

Director of Training & Organizational Development

Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Built a scalable leadership development program across staff and volunteers to support mission delivery and operational excellence.
  • Created onboarding and continuing education curriculums impacting 1,000+ staff and volunteers.
  • Increased training satisfaction scores by 40% through a blended learning approach.
  • Standardized role-based competency models to align training, performance, and promotions.
  • Partnered with senior leadership to embed DEI principles in learning strategies and hiring practices.

Training Director (Leadership Development)

Apple, Inc.
Las Vegas
01.2005 - 01.2012
  • Directed employee training, leadership development, and performance coaching for Apple retail locations in the Western region.
  • Delivered over 500 workshops on customer experience, technical skills, and leadership readiness.
  • Played a key role in scaling training frameworks during rapid regional expansion.
  • Mentored new leaders, leading to a 60% internal promotion rate over five years.
  • Recognized nationally for innovation in learning and development initiatives.

Human Resources Director

Verizon Wireless
Las Vegas
01.2001 - 01.2012
  • Oversaw HR operations for multiple locations, supporting 800+ employees in a high-growth, customer-focused environment.
  • Directed full-cycle HR functions including recruitment, employee relations, benefits, and workforce development.
  • Implemented a structured employee engagement program, improving retention by 25%.
  • Led labor relations and compliance efforts, resulting in a 0% violation record during audits.
  • Served as a key business partner to regional leadership, aligning HR strategy with sales and service priorities.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Human Resources

National University
Henderson, NV

Master of Human Resource Management -

Keller Graduate School of Management
Henderson, NV

Bachelor of Arts - Film

Columbia College of Hollywood
Tarzana, CA

Skills

  • HR strategy and workforce planning
  • Performance management and employee relations
  • Compensation structure and benefits administration
  • Regulatory compliance and labor relations
  • Leadership development and talent acquisition
  • Organizational design and development
  • Change management and retention strategies
  • Executive communication and recruitment strategies
  • HR policies development and HRIS implementation
  • HR strategy
  • Performance management
  • Workforce planning

Certification

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), 2019-01-01

Affiliations

  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • Women in Leadership Las Vegas – Member
  • National Association of African Americans in HR – Member

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Vice President of Human Resources

DBD THE STUDIO
01.2024 - Current

Director of Human Resources

DBD THE STUDIO
01.2023 - 01.2024

Director of Human Resources

ASTOUND Group
01.2021 - 01.2023

Manager, Talent Acquisition

JC Hospitality | Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
01.2020 - 01.2021

HR Consultant (Contract)

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
01.2019 - 01.2020

Manager, Human Resources

Balsiger Insurance
01.2016 - 01.2018

Director of Training & Organizational Development

Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada
01.2014 - 01.2016

Training Director (Leadership Development)

Apple, Inc.
01.2005 - 01.2012

Human Resources Director

Verizon Wireless
01.2001 - 01.2012

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Human Resources

National University

Master of Human Resource Management -

Keller Graduate School of Management

Bachelor of Arts - Film

Columbia College of Hollywood

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