Tanya Pratt
Summary
Accomplished and multi-dimensional executive with proven ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with executive, mid-level management, K-12, and higher education employee groups. Demonstrated expertise in collective bargaining, mediation, fact-finding, and arbitration for K-12 and higher education staff. Utilized transformative planning, strategy, and critical thinking skills to expand educational partnerships. Implemented key efficiencies that streamlined data and research processes, resulting in improved business acquisition. Successfully prepared, prioritized, and managed an annual multi-million-dollar department budget.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Field Services
MESSA
01.2017 - Current
- Developed and implemented departmental onboarding workflows for professional and support staff
- Re-designed onboarding materials for the hiring of statewide field representatives
- Successfully created staff mentor materials in conjunction with our professional staff association
- Created an Intern curriculum for our field based representative positions
- Developed and trained on a collective bargaining module at state and national levels that assisted and prepared individuals across the country for field work in the areas of human resource advocacy and negotiations
- Guided the development of strategic marketing plans, internal and external communications, and community-based sponsorships that resulted in new partnerships with the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA), CRIM Foundation, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
- Effectively led Professional Staff Association through multiple reductions in force (RIF) that resulted in transparency, improved communications and a more inclusive, collaborative workplace culture
- Led a team to redesign the internal data structure that streamlined strategic planning, campaign development and acquisition of new business
- Deliver core leadership services including talent acquisition, employee relations, labor relations, employee health and safety, and workplace compliance for managers, field representatives and support staff
- Provide coaching, training, supervision, observation and evaluation for 20 direct reports and eight departmental reports
- Create and develop ongoing professional development tools for department professional and support staff
- Create strategic workforce recruiting and retention plans
- Conduct employee investigations consistent with policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements
- Broker and process resolutions to grievances
- Partner with HR to drive and develop a talent strategy that will move the MESSA brand forward
- Develop, manage and maintain effective working relationships with key constituents: Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan School Board Officials, Michigan Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, Michigan Education Association, the Police Officers Labor Council, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and Delta Dental
- Serve on and advise our Senior Executive Leadership Team
- Responsible for providing contract interpretation on staffing, transfers, discipline, leaves, vacations, voluntary resignations, involuntary resignations, evaluations, retirement, insurance, and other labor relations questions
- Develop and execute strategies, programs and initiatives that directly align with the employer's mission
UniServ Director
Michigan Education Association
01.2002 - 01.2017
- Guided K-12 employees, Higher Education Institution Faculty and Support Staff Personnel through both rapid change and redress of institutional, state, and federal policy changes and mandates
- Served as Chief Negotiator for K-12 employees and Higher Education Faculty and Support Staff Personnel
- Managed day to day office operations
- Provided contract interpretation on employee issues for employers and employees
- Led arbitration cases to successful outcomes
- Brokered and process resolutions to grievances
- Developed annual training programs for Multiple Association Bargaining Organizations and Coordinating Councils
- Responsible for the processing of all grievance level hearings up to and through the Arbitration process
- Served as lead for research, development and implementation of ongoing collective bargaining
- Facilitated and conducted ongoing team building, strategic planning, bargaining, advocacy, member development training and organizing campaigns for prospective MEA members
- Entrusted with sensitive and proprietary information to develop issues management strategies, including strategic messaging to respond to member and/or media inquiries
Education
Master's - Social Work, Interpersonal Practice
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MichiganBachelor of Science - Psychology
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MichiganSkills
- Comprehensive Labor Management
- Strategic Planning
- Skilled Facilitator
- Talent Acquisition
- Dispute Resolution Expertise
- Conflict Resolution Specialist
- Negotiation Specialist
- School Social Worker
- Issue Resolution Expertise
- Public Relations
- Process Optimization
- Client Relationship Management
- Public Employment Relations Act (PERA)
- Labor Relations Core Competencies
- Effective Communication Strategies
Accomplishments
Ingham County Commissioner, District 13 - Current
Professional Memberships And Certifications
- Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), Certified Professional, 2024
- Insurance Agent, Licensed insurance Agent – State of Michigan, 2017
- Dale Carnegie Executive Leadership Program, 2019-2020
- Professional Staff Association (PSA), President, 2014-2017, Secretary, 2009-2014
Volunteer Memberships
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., President, Lansing Alumnae Chapter, 01/01/20, 12/31/22
- The Lansing/East Lansing (MI) Links, Inc., Vice President, 01/01/22, Present
Signature Competencies
- Broad Labor/Management Acumen
- Strategic Planning and Action
- Skilled Facilitator
- Staff Recruiting & Development
- Arbitration and Mediation
- Conflict Resolution Trainer
- Interest Based Bargainer
- School Social Worker
- Issues Management
- Public Relations
- Business Process Development
- Relationship Management
- Public Employment Relations Act (PERA)
- Labor Relations Core Competencies
- Internal/External Communications
Affiliations
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Lansing Alumnae Chapter
- Lansing/East Lansing (MI) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, Vice President
Certification
Licensed Insurance Agent, Department of Insurance and Financial Service, LIA
Certified Professional Insurance Agent, CPIA
Timeline
Director, Field Services
MESSA
01.2017 - Current
UniServ Director
Michigan Education Association
01.2002 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Eastern Michigan University
Master's - Social Work, Interpersonal Practice
University of Michigan