Talent Acquisition People Operations

Dawna Stone

HR Strategy, Compliance & Transformation

**************@*****.*** • 559-***-****

LinkedIn • Austin, TX 78728

Results-driven professional with 15+ years of experience in HR leadership, HCM operations, and HR consulting. Proficient in employment law compliance across local, state, federal, and tribal jurisdictions, ensuring risk mitigation and operational efficiency. Skilled in optimizing HRIS systems, managing pre-sales initiatives, and delivering client-centric solutions that enhance ROI. Expertise in strategic planning and the execution of HR initiatives to support business objectives, including reducing turnover, absenteeism, performance management, and talent development. Extensive experience in developing HR policies, handbooks, and driving HR operations for clients in the HRO industry, including Paychex and ePlace. Proven track record of creating and leading change management programs, including large-scale HR technology rollouts. Adept at managing traditional HR functions such as organizational design, talent acquisition, compensation, employee relations, benefits administration, and policy development. Known for building and leading high-performing teams, fostering innovation, and delivering process improvements across HR functions.

Areas of Expertise

● HR & HCM Consulting

● HR Services Product Management

● Change / Transformation Management

● Employment Law Expertise

● Workforce Planning / Org Design

● Data-Driven Decision Making

● People Operations Leadership

● Talent Acquisition Strategy

● Project Management

Professional Experience

St. Vincent DePaul Rehabilitation / Peak Performers

Director of Compliance / People Operations (Jan 2023 – Present)

Strengthen People Operations’ departmental processes through predictive analytics, gap analysis, and legal research, implementing regular auditing cadences and a semi-annual legal update process to drive continual process improvements and ensure compliance (federal, nationwide state specific, and local employment laws). Deliver error-free, on-time weekly payroll processing, and improved the onboarding and offboarding of employees with reorganizing department structures, improving employee engagement and delivery of HR Services, enhancing business continuity, and optimizing business process flows. These changes immediately improved performance and continue to ensure payroll accuracy and maximize People Operations productivity .

●Expanded operations to 23 states, including high-risk, employee-friendly states, by inspiring and engaging a team of 12 direct reports across People Operations, Payroll and Contingent Workforce Business Enablement Departments. Led multi-state private and public sector expansion from Texas, driving growth through strategic leadership.

●Achieved seamless HR system compliance and operational efficiencies by identifying and implementing necessary system configuration modifications, such as rules, automation, and integrations, ensuring smooth operations across both Payroll and People Operations departments.

HR Systems Contract Assignments (Sep 2021 – Dec 2023)

Curative Inc HR SME HRIS Implementation Consulting Pharmaceutical Industry with 3,000 Employees

Vacasa, LLC HR Systems Director Hospitality & Tech Property Management Industry with 8,000 Global Employees

Pechanga Resort and Casino Director of HR System & Consultative Services Tribal Commercial Casino with 3,800 Team Members

Enhanced HR decision-making capabilities by leading divisions to become data-driven, evidence-based organizations, quantifying HR's impact on business objectives and aligning with organizational missions. Developed centralized HR service models to enhance employee talent enablement and accessibility, streamlining HR support and fostering a culture of accessibility and collaboration. Demonstrated multi-disciplinary HR expertise across all core functions, including organizational design, compensation, talent acquisition, L&D, employee relations, employment law (local, state, federal, tribal, and government), risk mitigation, benefits administration, investigations, policy development, and succession planning.

●Lead UKG HCM (Pro, UKG Workforce Management) and Infor ERP Software Implementation Projects, configured, tested, and customized system modules to meet the clients requirements. Executed HCM software audits and launch preparation, focusing on change management, employee engagement, and training, successfully elevating HR accessibility to 24/7 availability for all employees.

●Provided actionable strategic recommendations to streamline HR processes, resulting in a 20% reduction in time-to-hire through ATS system optimization, automation, and enhanced data integration.

●Increased HR department accessibility for non-desk employees by 75% through the launch of an HRIS mobile app and email-to-text service, supported by content planning, management training, and engagement strategies.

●Influenced HR staff and peers to adopt solution-based strategies by coaching and mentoring teams to identify and address operational challenges, leading to measurable improvements in day-to-day efficiency and workplace culture.

OnePoint Human Capital Management

Director of HR Services Director of HRIS Implementations and Support (Feb 2014 – Oct 2021)

Enhanced operational efficiency and ROI through reformed HRIS implementation processes, transforming them into consultative, solutions-focused approaches. Designed and rolled out robust, maintainable software solutions, including system configurations, testing, enhancements, and client training. Improved compliance and process automation by proactively monitoring employment laws, trends, and HR best practices, translating regulatory guidance into actionable advice for executives and business leaders. Performed HR audits to identify gaps in compliance, risk, and policies, crafting tailored strategies that aligned HR’s capabilities with company objectives to drive business success.

●Increased client knowledge and engagement with HRIS functionality by developing job aids, delivering training sessions, and communicating system enhancements, resulting in improved compliance, automation, and process efficiency.

●Produced a wide range of content to elevate brand presence and user engagement, including data sheets, marketing materials, legal updates, blogs, webinars, and tutorials. Coordinated live and cloud-streamed HR topics and system utilization presentations to a broad audience.

●Achieved a 400% increase in system utilization (from 15% to 75%) and a 9.8% boost in client value realization (from 91% to 99.8%) by building and leading a high-performing implementation and client services team of eight direct reports.

●Recognized with four consecutive awards for HRIS implementation excellence and client utilization by UKG HCM partners.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)

National University, Los Angeles, CA

Additional Experience

ePlace Solutions, Inc.

VP of HR Services and Development Director of HR Consultants (Aug 2006 – Jan 2013)

Industry: HR Outsourcing Servicing Nationwide Clients across Private, Public, and Tribal Sectors

Licenses & Certifications

●Professional in Human Resources Management (PHR)

●California Subject Matter Expert (PHRca)

●Google Universal Analytics Essential Training (2020)

●International Culture and Engagement (2025)

●AI Cultural Integration (2025

Professional Affiliations

●Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) – National, Fresno, and Kings County Chapters, Austin, TX SHRM Chapter

●Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA)

●Transform

●Cal Chamber

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