Kathy S. Marra, MA, SPHR
***** ********* **** ( Fishers, IN 46038 ( **********@*****.*** ( 317-
***-**** ( c ) 317-***-**** ( h )
Profile
Human resource executive with leadership, credibility, integrity and core
competencies experienced in building HR infrastructure to support company
objectives and growth. A strategic manager proficient in talent assessment
needed for organizational agility and change. Bottom-line driven certified
professional accomplished at linking human assets to business outcomes.
Respected human resource director successful in employee engagement, legal
compliance, problem resolution, conflict management, management practices,
human resource development, total rewards programs, business acumen, team
processes and effective communications. Knowledgeable human resource
generalist with myriad of industry experience which includes financial,
engineering, petroleum, service, retail and higher education.
Career Highlights
TALENT ASSESSMENT
Key Achievements:
. Orchestrated recruitment and talent acquisition campaign for volatile
petroleum/retail industry resulting in reduced turnover by 35% below
industry benchmark decreasing expense by $300,000 within first two
years.
. Launched recruitment plan to improve talent acquisition resulting in
higher quality candidate pool decreasing time-to-fill open positions
by 20% for bank.
. Recruited 25 students for student HR organization surpassing required
SHRM membership by 75% in charter year exceeding timeframe established
by the Dean of the School of Business.
. Created myriad of performance management assessment tools to measure
core competencies, skills and knowledge to cultivate and prove,
"employees are our greatest assets."
. Coached and counseled supervisors with employee issues, regulatory
challenges and staffing selections.
Strength:
. Turnaround specialist who can easily assess talent and formulate
solutions to combat human capital acquisition and retention challenges
with versatility to adapt results for growing company or declining
company.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Key Achievements:
. Analyzed company strategic plan to produce human resource action plan
integrating human resource activities to support business initiatives
. Directed bank through successful OFCCP /Affirmative Action audits
resulting in "zero" compensatory penalties.
. Spearheaded employee relations programs that improved communications
and work environment engaging employees reducing employee-management
conflicts.
. Established the infrastructure for a well executed and managed human
resource department supporting bank initiatives and growth.
. Directed students in the creation and chartering of the Marian College
Student HR Organization affiliated with Society for Human Resource
Management enhancing student leadership, business acumen and career
opportunities.
Strength:
. Visionary and talented leader who can originate and apply techniques,
processes and new concepts to lead by example and mentor others.
ORGANIZATIONAL AGILITY/ CHANGE/TRANSITION
Key Achievements:
. Led seamless integration of 33 employees from acquisition of FDIC
insolvent bank resulting in smooth transition for employees.
. Initiated major benefit plan change resulting in cost reduction of 20%
for first year while gaining employee acceptance through concerted
education and communications effort.
. Transitioned manual payroll to automation HRMS reducing operational
costs by 25% and processing time of 67%.
. Managed transition from Defined Benefit Plan to a Defined Contribution
Plan resolving plan inaccuracies resulting in a successful conversion.
. Researched and proposed new HRMS achieving greater operational
efficiency streamlining processes by 15%.
Strength:
. Corporate ambassador for management to employees with the keen ability
to lead change initiatives and lessen employee concerns.
ORGANIZATIONAL/BUSINESS ACUMEN
Key Achievements:
. Assessed, designed, streamlined and led all human resource functions
identifying deficiencies and implementing legally compliant systems
reducing exposure and risk by 50%.
. Conducted audit of human resource process, policies, and procedures
proposing action plan to decrease gaps and company exposure along with
ensuring regulatory compliance.
. Defended employee issues and legal complaints with solid documentation
and consistent processes reducing outside counsel fees by 25%.
. Performed job analysis and composed legally defensible job
descriptions ultimately to be linked to measurable performance
management system supported by market based compensation plan.
. Measured and monitored human resource activities (e.g. turnover, cost
per hire etc.) proposing solutions to deficiencies (e.g. training
needs, employee professional development and career plans.)
Strength:
. Professional who can understand the business and leverage best
practices, technologies and relationships to enable and maintain
organizational cohesiveness and operation performance excellence.
HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
Key Achievements:
. Overhauled compensation system re-engineering performance management
system with a merit performance plan.
. Led training programs for 50+ managers where management skills and
knowledge minimized personnel errors reducing legal risks by 25%.
. Created and presented more than 15 customized training and educational
programs for both employees and managers including interviewing and
selection, performance management and diversity and sensitivity
training.
. Envisioned, developed and instituted multi-step career planning and
succession program for managerial and technical positions positioning
company to retain key talent and promulgate company growth.
. Researched Learning Management System resulting in the recommendation
and approval for the RW Armstrong University.
. Performed cost-benefit analysis for educational courses and programs
calculating ROI and transfer-of-training deliverables.
. Developed four new human resource courses increasing course selections
for concentration by 43%.
Strength:
. Engaged human resource director who can assess and create programs
which promote lifelong learning and professional development.
Employment History
Internal HR Consultant, RW Armstrong, Indianapolis, IN
2007- PRESENT
Principal & Owner, HR PROF Consulting LLC, Fishers, IN
2007- PRESENT
Asst. Prof. of Human Resource Management, Marian University (FT)
2007- PRESENT
Adjunct Instructor, School of Business - Marian University, Indianapolis,
IN 2000 - 2007
Director of Human Resources, Crystal Flash Petroleum, Indianapolis, IN
1999 - 2007
(400+ multi-location wholesale petroleum marketer - family owned)
Vice President, Human Resources, INDICORP, Indianapolis, IN 1996 - 1999
(90+ employees, corporate credit union servicing small credit unions)
Asst. Vice President, Asst, HR Director, First Merchants Bank, Muncie, IN
1994 - 1996
(500+ multi-location bank holding company)
ASST. VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, Monroe County Bank Bloomington, IN
1981-1994
(250+ multi-location bank holding company)
Education/ Certification
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) - Society for Human Resource
Management, Washington, DC
M. A. in Adult and Community Education - Ball State University, Muncie, IN
Graduate Certificate- Human Resources with Business Emphasis - American
Banker Association - Washington DC
B. S. in Education - Indiana University, Bloomington IN
Affiliations
Professional Member and Student Chapter Advisor - Society for Human
Resource Management, Washington, DC
Founding Officer, Past President - Human Resource Professional Development
Association, Carmel, IN
Professional Member - IndySHRM, Indianapolis, IN; HRPDA, Carmel IN; World
At Work, Alexandria, VA
Volunteer - Family Services, Indianapolis, IN
Past Treasurer, Board Member - Monroe County Chapter American Red Cross,
Bloomington, IN