Yesenia Budhu Howell
Summary
Transformational, bilingual (English/Spanish) human resources executive with 20 years of experience championing organizational excellence and equity within education. Demonstrated ability to lead compliant, data-driven human resources departments and foster a culture of inclusion, growth, and high expectations; recognized for creating high-performing teams, leading enterprise-wide change initiatives, and delivering data-driven solutions that foster employee engagement and operational excellence.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action Officer
Hackensack Public Schools
Hackensack, NJ
03.2023 - 06.2025
- Influenced strategic decisions as member of Superintendent Cabinet and Equity Team.
- Optimized HR operations, enhancing efficiency for faculty, staff, and student services.
- Spearheaded HR system integration, ensuring data accuracy and comprehensive training programs.
- Aligned HR strategies with institutional objectives through collaboration with senior leadership.
- Led team of six HR professionals to improve departmental performance and service delivery.
- Implemented talent acquisition strategies to attract diverse candidates for key positions.
- Developed transparent hiring policies to promote merit-based recruitment practices.
- Managed employee relations, fostering positive workplace culture and effective communication.
Talent Management Consultant | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion & Belonging
University of Maryland, School of Social Work
Baltimore, MD
02.2020 - 02.2023
- Developed and implemented policies to enhance organizational effectiveness and promote DEIB.
- Facilitated workshops to gather stakeholder input and refine project objectives.
- Developed strategic recommendations for operational efficiency and cost reduction.
- Created detailed project plans outlining timelines, resources, and responsibilities.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement change management strategies.
- Mentored junior consultants on effective problem-solving techniques and best practices.
- Created detailed reports outlining findings and recommendations for senior management review.
- Monitored project progress against timelines, budgets, and objectives.
- Optimized resource allocation by assessing current utilization levels versus projected demand.
- Revamped hiring practices and led employee engagement initiatives to attract top talent.
- Delivered training enhancements alongside risk mitigation initiatives to strengthen compliance and audit readiness.
- Provided actionable insights through data analytics to inform workforce planning strategies.
Director of Human Resources / Affirmative Action Officer
Montclair Public Schools
Montclair, NJ
10.2018 - 12.2019
- Advised leadership on complex employee relations and talent strategy for policy compliance.
- Aligned HR initiatives with district goals to support student success and achievement.
- Facilitated professional development workshops for continuous staff improvement.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws by monitoring changes in regulations related to human resources management.
- Drafted job descriptions and prepared job postings for open positions.
- Managed employee benefits programs, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and vacation time.
- Identified ways to reduce turnover through improved hiring practices.
- Monitored employee attendance records to ensure adherence to company policies.
- Organized onboarding processes for new hires, including orientation sessions and paperwork completion.
- Assisted in the preparation of annual budgets related to staffing needs.
- Analyzed employee data to identify trends and potential areas of improvement.
- Collaborated with department heads to develop strategies that would increase employee engagement levels.
- Advised senior leadership on organizational structure changes affecting the workforce.
- Worked with HR department to devise and update policies as needed for corporate accountability and workplace health.
- Coordinated recruitment activities to ensure the organization was staffed with qualified personnel.
- Provided guidance on labor relations issues, including collective bargaining agreements.
- Developed hiring and recruitment policies to drive atransparent and fair hiring process for selecting candidates on basis of merit and relevance with job.
- Managed employee investigations, ensuring adherence to labor laws and optimizing HR service delivery.
- Facilitated professional development for building leaders to enhance leadership capabilities.
- Led inclusive hiring initiatives and engagement efforts district-wide to promote diversity.
- Partnered with cross-functional HR teams to provide cohesive support across Talent, Benefits, Operations, and Legal.
- Conducted investigations and resolved grievances to maintain workplace harmony.
- Served on Superintendent Cabinet to influence strategic HR decisions.
Talent Director /Compensation Manager
Baltimore City Public Schools
Baltimore, MD
08.2015 - 01.2017
- Oversaw HR operations for over 7,000 employees and 80,000 students.
- Implemented employee engagement programs to enhance workplace culture and retention.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to define talent development frameworks.
- Managed recruitment processes using applicant tracking systems for efficiency.
- Analyzed workforce data to inform decision-making and optimize hiring strategies.
- Fostered relationships with external partners for talent sourcing and industry insights.
- Cultivated relationships with external partners such as universities and other organizations to build pipelines of diverse talent pools.
- Developed compensation plans that aligned salary structures with organizational goals.
- Collaborated closely with HR staff to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws regarding employment practices.
- Supervised a team of 10 HR professionals to enhance service delivery.
- Designed compensation and benefits strategies in compliance with legal standards.
- Negotiated salary offers to attract and retain top talent.
Human Resources Manager / Affirmative Action Officer
Trenton Public Schools
Trenton, NJ
11.2012 - 06.2015
- Served as Title IX Coordinator and Equity Team member, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Developed and implemented HR policies and procedures for staff management.
- Facilitated recruitment processes to attract diverse talent for the school district.
- Managed employee relations to resolve conflicts and promote a positive work environment.
- Coordinated professional development programs for staff skill enhancement.
- Oversaw performance evaluation processes to ensure fair assessments of employees.
- Implemented compliance training related to labor laws and regulations for staff.
- Evaluated current HR processes and recommended changes when necessary to improve efficiency.
- Organized orientation sessions for new hires and provided them with onboarding information.
- Guided on labor law compliance issues such as FMLA, ADA, Title VII.
- Used data and analytics to improve company processes for recruitment, selection, and onboarding.
- Developed and implemented recruitment strategies to attract qualified candidates.
- Managed and supervised a team of 10 human resources professionals to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Developed strategic recruitment processes and conducted legal investigations to uphold organizational integrity.
- Oversaw employee benefits, ADA accommodations, and compliance systems to maintain workplace standards.
- Collaborated with IT to enhance HR data reporting and improve system efficiency.
- Directed performance evaluations to assess employee contributions.
- Led orientation for new teachers and staff, facilitating smooth onboarding.
- Analyzed data gathered from surveys, focus groups, or other methods to identify areas of improvement within the organization's HR practices.
- Negotiated collective bargaining agreements with labor unions by highlighting the company's profits and operational outcomes.
- Prepared briefings, reports, memoranda, and other documents to support the development of policies and procedures.
- Assisted in the coordination of meetings between senior officials by preparing agendas, scheduling appointments, and taking notes during sessions.
HR Specialist/Special Assistant to the Superintendent
Secaucus Public Schools
Secaucus, NJ
09.2010 - 08.2012
- Participated in Superintendent's Cabinet to guide strategic decision-making.
- Managed employee recruitment and onboarding processes for diverse school positions.
- Coordinated training programs to enhance staff development and compliance with policies.
- Facilitated conflict resolution between staff members to promote a positive work environment.
- Administered benefits enrollment and answered employee inquiries regarding compensation packages.
- Developed and implemented performance evaluation systems for instructional and non-instructional staff.
- Maintained employee records and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Led initiatives to improve workplace culture through engagement activities and feedback sessions.
- Collaborated with administration on strategic workforce planning and organizational development efforts.
- Developed and documented HR procedures to refine processes and drive compliance with policies.
- Managed recruitment processes, including job postings, candidate screening, and interviews, ensuring timely and efficient hiring.
- Coordinated with external vendors for the provision of employee services, such as training and benefits administration.
- Oversaw district-wide talent acquisition and policy development initiatives.
- Managed benefits, workers' compensation, and stakeholder relationships effectively.
- Led HR process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
- Executed recruitment and retention strategies to attract top talent.
- Facilitated onboarding and offboarding processes for seamless transitions.
- Addressed labor and legal matters to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Administered employee benefits programs, including health insurance and retirement plans, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Advised management and staff on labor laws and HR policies, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Led diversity and inclusion initiatives, promoting an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity.
- Conducted workplace investigations to address allegations of harassment or discrimination, ensuring a safe work environment.
HR Analyst / Certification Liaison
Paterson Public Schools
Paterson, NJ
11.2007 - 09.2010
- Monitored HR operational procedures to ensure educator certification compliance.
- Facilitated training sessions for staff on HR best practices and regulations.
- Assisted in recruitment processes by screening resumes and conducting preliminary interviews.
- Collaborated with departments to address employee concerns and resolve conflicts.
- Developed and implemented recruiting strategies to attract qualified candidates.
- Developed and maintained HR databases, spreadsheets, and other tracking systems.
- Provided guidance on career development opportunities for employees.
- Conducted thorough analysis of employee performance data to identify trends in engagement and attrition rates.
- Analyzed organizational structure to determine staffing requirements and job descriptions.
- Assessed employee training needs and implemented appropriate solutions to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Developed recruitment strategies while tracking staffing vacancies.
- Analyzed workforce metrics to enhance organizational alignment.
- Conducted investigations to address salary discrepancies effectively.
- Collaborated with legal counsel to resolve grievances efficiently.
- Evaluated current HR operations against industry standards to identify areas of improvement or cost savings opportunities.
Executive Assistant to Human Resources
Orange Township Public Schools
Orange, NJ
10.1991 - 10.2007
- Spearheaded recruitment operations, job fair coordination, and onboarding processes.
- Organized schedules and meetings for executive personnel.
- Coordinated communication between departments to streamline operations.
- Supported the implementation of school policies and initiatives effectively.
- Managed job announcements and postings to attract qualified candidates.
- Enhanced internal communications while supporting position control initiatives.
- Organized HR documentation, improving data traceability across systems.
- Developed Board agenda to streamline meeting preparation.
- Maintained accurate minutes for Board of Education meetings, ensuring compliance.
- Maintained confidential records and files related to executive operations.
- Performed data entry tasks into various software programs including MS Excel spreadsheets.
- Prepared reports, presentations, agendas, minutes, and other documents as needed by the executive staff.
- Organized and managed acomplex calendar of appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements for executive team.
Education
EdD - Educational Leadership
Rowan University
12.2026
MBA - Human Resources Management
American InterContinental University
01.2011
BS - Business Administration & Management
Caldwell University
01.2007
Skills
- Servant and transformational leadership
- Organizational development and change management
- Data-driven decision making
- Talent acquisition and workforce planning
- Employee relations and labor compliance
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)
- HR policy and regulatory compliance
- Compensation and benefits
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Executive Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action Officer
Hackensack Public Schools
03.2023 - 06.2025
Talent Management Consultant | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion & Belonging
University of Maryland, School of Social Work
02.2020 - 02.2023
Director of Human Resources / Affirmative Action Officer
Montclair Public Schools
10.2018 - 12.2019
Talent Director /Compensation Manager
Baltimore City Public Schools
08.2015 - 01.2017
Human Resources Manager / Affirmative Action Officer
Trenton Public Schools
11.2012 - 06.2015
HR Specialist/Special Assistant to the Superintendent
Secaucus Public Schools
09.2010 - 08.2012
HR Analyst / Certification Liaison
Paterson Public Schools
11.2007 - 09.2010
Executive Assistant to Human Resources
Orange Township Public Schools
10.1991 - 10.2007
EdD - Educational Leadership
Rowan University
MBA - Human Resources Management
American InterContinental University
BS - Business Administration & Management
Caldwell University