LAURA WESTPHAL

ac1p7f@r.postjobfree.com

612-***-****

**** ****** ****** *****, *********** MN 55409

SPECIAL SKILLS

*Knows how to coach, connect and present to a group or one-on-one. Aptitude for engaging others, building trust and consensus, mentoring, collaborating between departments and across physical locations

*Strong business and legal training to manage workplace investigations, with the proclivity to analyze, synthesize and clearly report on large amounts of information leading to solid strategic decisions

*High competency managing and propelling several projects simultaneously, ability to anticipate and quickly respond to changing priorities

*Energetic and mindful with exemplary written and verbal abilities

SUMMARY

A credentialed HR professional who exudes a youthful outlook and curiosity. A project manager with key critical thinking skills and cross-disciplinary experience. A policy and process expert who believes introspection is good; setbacks are a step to success. Believes that metrics and intangible assets work together. Wealth of experience in managing complex projects in private, public and non-profit sectors. Exceptional core competency in policy, procedure, compliance, best-practices research, general HR matters, negotiations and outreach. Skilled in several IT platforms. Superior organization abilities and follow through, enthusiastic team builder and mentor with cross-disciplinary acumen.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER; INTERDISCIPLINARY BUSINESS RESOURCES, LLC in Minneapolis, MN. 2010-Current position. With two legal partners and a Creative Director I actively engage clients from this complex interconnected business world. I solve problems fast, creatively, effectively and ethically, often working on site with my clients. I provide less expensive quasi-legal expertise on compliance, Cyber Security Reviews, general HR matters including negotiating salaries, implementing performance metrics and severance programs. I have written several employee handbooks, given seminars and resolved complaints of harassment and ADA claims. As a Project Manager I am proficient in business analysis systems. I am a genuine advocate but also manage dispute resolution, arbitration and collections from white-collar crime and fraud. I have experience advising corporations on EPA, HIPAA and FDA compliance. I provide litigation management, legal and industry research. I write grants for charter schools, non-profit organizations and scientific research for PhD students at the U of M. Text haiku daily. I have given many presentations and served on panels. I have successfully managed very large budgets. Most importantly I am mindful of the world around me and my place in it.

UNITED HEALTH GROUP, Human Capital Division, July 2016 to April 2017. Advisor for co-workers regarding general HR matters including expertise in company policy with the goal of assisting managers and employees on best practices while promoting leadership and self-reliance. High case-closed rates and quality metrics. Able to diffuse tense, volatile interactions and propose solutions to bring about improved work place relations and productivity. Adept in advising through Web cases and Internet Chat Sessions. Awarded for proposing changed policy language and for suggesting process changes to better improve the Department’s standard operating procedures and best practices. A solid professional and realist who has not lost sight of humor and compassion in serious situations.

COMMISSIONER; Minneapolis Police Conduct Oversight Commission (PCOC). Mayoral appointment began in January 2015. Vice-Chair beginning January 1, 2018.

*Chair, Outreach Committee. Organized and ran several public listening sessions regarding the MPD’s use of body cameras, co-author of Best Practices Research Study and drafted Policy for the MPD to implement. Organized a Peace Forum, which allowed community members to speak directly to City leaders, the Police Federation and neighborhood leaders regarding racism and the concept of community policing. Collaboration with the Neighborhood Community Relations. Guided research and suggested policy on a Social Worker Co-Responder program with the MPD, which was made into a pilot program by Mayor Hodges. Demonstrate steady project progression meeting deadlines. Responsible for creating and managing projects and events to engage public participation in MPD matters. Participated in CIT training and Use of Force education.

*Review, research and draft policy for the MPD procedural manual, discipline matrix and propose solutions to problems arising from civilian complaints against officers. Anticipated issues regarding use of force and creating new policy involving police interaction involving mental health. Policy review to ensure the MPD policies comply with current law and that training in the academy meets or exceeds best practices.

*Liaison to the Minneapolis City Council, the Civil Rights Commission and the Police Federation. Regularly meet with diverse parties having competing goals. Successfully negotiate consensus and move projects forward toward completion.

MANAGING PARTNER; MILLER, OLSON & ASSOCIATES, PLLC. 1994-2010.

*General Corporate Practice: created business structures to best manage liability and tax matters for multi-state, multi-project corporations. Planned long term strategy, drafted and negotiated innumerable contracts. Handled insurance claims, governmental and internal compliance. Provide expertise in conflict resolution and arbitrations including collective bargaining issues. Made complex presentations to Boards of Directors.

*Drafted confidentiality agreements, leases, loan and purchase documents and even real estate closings including record maintenance.

*Expertise in managing large M & A transactions, complex litigations and outside counsel, and environmental and business ethics compliance. I have dealt with several government agencies including IRS, DOJ, EPA, FDA, SEC, DOD and international trade agencies.

*Created a deliberate corporate structure that ultimately provided a client with over $200 million in environmental tax credits. Negotiated loan and partnership/investor documents for multi-state construction projects and brought in an equity partner. Drafted power marketing agreements and guarantees.

*Successfully guided the fast growth of a methane based power-marketing company and created its corporate and tax structure, integrated business departments and streamlined business processes. Advised the President and Board of Directors.

*Advised on matters ranging from HR issues to escrow compliance and managing insurance under writers. I resolved many quiet title actions and conducted commercial and residential real estate closings.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

CARGILL, INCORPORATED; in-house corporate attorney May 1988 to September 1994.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; One Small Circle Foundation. This is a 501(c)(3), 509(a) private non-profit foundation benefitting the economic status of disadvantaged small business owners, community groups and educational status of under-served populations in the Twin Cities.

CAARE; a real estate advocacy non-profit dedicated to assist consumers buying homes, and researching unethical practices in the industry. Contributing research and writing a format general-purpose grant form.

RAMSAY COUNTY GUARDIAN AD LITEM

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, University of Wisconsin Madison Law School.

Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin Madison School of Business. Majoring in Finance, Investment and Banking.

Masters of Cross Disciplinary Studies (in process), University of Minnesota Twin Cities concentrating on Human Geography. Final Thesis topic is “The Evolution of Altruism”.

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