CHRO-Level HR Strategy & People Leadership

Karen Mercer

Queen Creek, AZ 505-***-**** ***********@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/karen-s-mercer/

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Senior HR executive with 20 years of experience across complex healthcare systems. Trusted partner to executive leadership with accountability for HR governance, compliance, employee relations, and workforce strategy in highly regulated, multi-state environments. Proven record of leading in high-risk situations, stabilizing organizations, reducing regulatory and employee relations exposure, and building scalable HR infrastructure. Known for executive presence, sound judgment, and steady leadership under pressure.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Enterprise HR Strategy & Governance

Executive & Regional Leadership Partnership

Multi-State Employment Law & Regulatory Compliance

Workforce Planning & Organizational Design

Talent Acquisition, Retention & Succession Strategy

Employee Relations, Investigations & Risk Mitigation

Compensation, Benefits & Executive Pay Programs

Performance Management & Leadership Development

Change Management & Culture Transformation

HR Operations, Audits & Compliance Readiness

Healthcare Compliance & Joint Commission Readiness

HRIS Systems & Data-Driven Decision Making

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA Phoenix, AZ July 2024 – Present

Division Human Resources Director

Senior HR leader supporting executive and regional leadership across 22 multi-state healthcare facilities in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas (formerly California) within a highly regulated environment

Own division-wide HR strategy across talent acquisition, retention, performance management, employee relations, leave administration, and compliance

Developed and implemented scalable recruiting strategies to support multi-site workforce growth, strengthen talent pipelines, improve hiring efficiencies, and align recruitment efforts with operational needs across a multi-state healthcare organization

Trusted advisor and senior escalation partner to Regional VPs, operations, and legal leadership on workforce planning, organizational risk, and regulatory matters

Led enterprise-level compliance and risk mitigation efforts, reducing corrective action findings by 40% through standardized audits and corrective action frameworks

Established standardized HR policies, procedures, and audit processes to drive consistency and regulatory discipline across all locations

Led HR strategy at Life Care of Scottsdale, contributing to a Deficiency-Free hospital survey with zero HR-related findings

Lead HR compliance initiatives and oversee Joint Commission readiness efforts, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, maintaining accreditation requirements, and supporting organizational preparedness through audits, policy implementation, and staff education

EMBARK BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Chandler, AZ February 2023 – July 2024

Human Resources Director

Senior HR leader supporting a multi-state behavioral health organization, including operations in Arizona and California

Partnered with executive leadership to align HR strategy with organizational growth, compliance, and workforce stability

Designed and implemented enterprise-wide compensation structures aligned to business strategy, market competitiveness, and internal equity

Led employee relations, investigations, and compliance initiatives, advising leadership on corrective actions and risk mitigation

Directed cross-functional efforts to secure Gold-Level mental health accreditation, standardizing HR policies, governance, and documentation

Supported workforce planning, performance management, and leadership decision-making during periods of organizational change

Led talent acquisition strategies to support organizational growth, including workforce planning, recruitment process optimization, talent pipeline development, and partnership with leaders to attract and retain qualified professionals.

Lead HR compliance initiatives efforts within behavioral health operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards through policy administration, audit preparedness, employee training, and ongoing operational oversight.

ENCOMPASS HEALTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL Scottsdale, AZ August 2021 – February 2023

Human Resources Director

Led HR strategy and operations supporting clinical and administrative leadership

Advisor to senior leadership on employee relations, workforce planning, and performance management

Led talent acquisition initiatives for clinical and administrative roles, partnering with operational leaders to develop recruitment strategies, strengthen talent pipelines, and support workforce needs in a highly regulated healthcare environment.

Translated engagement survey insights into targeted action plans, improving employee engagement by 25%

Led complex employee relations matters and investigations, mitigating legal and reputational risk

Supported leadership development and performance initiatives to strengthen culture and retention

Direct human resources compliance activities for inpatient rehabilitation services by partnering with operational leaders to maintain regulatory standards, support accreditation requirements, implement policies, and provide guidance on workforce and employment practices

ENVISION HEALTHCARE Phoenix, AZ November 2020 – August 2021

Human Resources Leader (Temporary Role)

Led HR strategy across multiple business units in the Pacific and West regions, supporting a workforce of 5,000 healthcare professionals in emergency department hospital operations

Led physician and Advanced Practice Provider (APP) recruitment strategies, partnering with executive and clinical leadership to attract, hire, and retain top clinical talent while supporting staffing needs across emergency department operations.

Served as a trusted advisor to operational leadership on complex employee relations, performance management, and workforce risk in a high-acuity clinical environment

Directed performance management and development frameworks, strengthening accountability, engagement, and leadership effectiveness

Oversaw compensation, benefits, and targeted training initiatives to support workforce retention and operational efficiency

AVEANNA MEDICAL SOLUTIONS Chandler, AZ December 2019 – November 2020

People Services Director

Provided regional HR leadership across multi-site Texas, and Arizona healthcare operations

Led employee relations, performance management, and compliance efforts in a regulated care environment

Partnered with operational leadership during periods of organizational change and workforce transition

LOVELACE HEALTH SYSTEM Albuquerque, NM January 2006 – November 2019

HR Director (Progressive Human Resources Leadership Roles)

Progressed through increasingly senior HR leadership roles over 13 years within a large healthcare system, reflecting sustained executive trust and expanded scope

Led HR strategy and operations across multiple facilities, supporting clinical and administrative workforces in a regulated healthcare environment

Trusted advisor to senior leaders on employee relations, workforce planning, performance management, and compliance

Led full-cycle talent acquisition strategies across all levels of the organization, including executive leadership, physicians, clinical, and administrative positions, partnering with hiring leaders to develop recruitment plans, build talent pipelines, and ensure workforce needs were met in a competitive healthcare market.

Owned complex employee relations issues, investigations, and corrective actions, mitigating legal, regulatory, and reputational risk

Directed talent acquisition, onboarding, and performance management to ensure staffing stability and leadership capability

Standardized HR policies, procedures, and operating practices to improve compliance and consistency, and scalability

Direct human resources compliance and employee relations initiatives for acute care hospital operations, ensuring alignment with federal and state regulations, accreditation standards, and DNV requirements. Partner with executive and clinical leadership to support audit readiness, strengthen workforce practices, and drive organizational compliance across all areas of the hospital

Led and developed HR staff, strengthening execution and overall HR capability

Directed organization-wide HR audit of 300+ employee files, contributing to successful DNV accreditation with zero HR findings

EDUCATION

National American University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management

Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration

CERTIFICATIONS

Villanova University – Masters in Strategic Organizational Leadership HR Organizational Effectiveness Villanova University – Certificate of Achievement in HR Management

University of New Mexico – Anderson School of Management Human Resources Management

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & CREDENTIALS

Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Member, Central Arizona Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA)

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2025 Life Care of America, Scottsdale – Deficiency Free State Survey

2024 Embark Behavioral Health – Gold-Level Accreditation Leadership

2019 Lovelace Roswell – DNV Accreditation Leadership

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