Yvette Kennedy
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Chicago, IL, United States
Toptal member since February 16, 2024
Yvette has an innovative approach to people processes, focusing on high-value input from managers and employees. She uses talent data and business analytics to understand the employee journey as part of assessing engagement and opportunities to increase employee experience and business outcomes. Yvette stands out as a senior business transformation executive dedicated to driving positive change in organizations through innovative people practices.
Career Highlights
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Chief Talent Officer | Owner
Kennedy Talent Strategies
- Led a CIO/CHRO transformation project for a multi-billion privately held manufacturing client across the US and Canada with 10,000+ employees. Created a plan to align business priorities to capabilities. Mapped and assessed skills to develop talent.
- Assessed the chief learning officer data and analytics to improve ROI on technology learning for a large global professional services firm.
- Led employee engagement survey and data analysis for CHRO and the executive board of a publicly traded fintech company with over 5,000 employees. Data analysis was critical in setting new HR capabilities and priorities.
- Analyzed existing processes, roles, and functions to identify areas for improvement. Developed interim and long-term implementation steps to ensure a seamless transition to the new operating model.
- Led the organization design and future operating model initiative, involving the creation of a new future state structure.
HR Leader, Americas Operations
Equinix
- Designed the job architecture for all roles in customer operations technicians and critical facility engineers. Created and implemented an HR resource planning and workforce strategy (shift strategy, retention, and DIB).
- Leveraged data and analytics to enhance an employee listening and engagement strategy.
- Led succession planning for all senior management roles in operations.
VP, Consulting
Explorance
- Retained to grow enterprise business and lead a US team of consultants. Developed a turnaround strategy to reengage enterprise clients and expand the scope, resulting in a clear brand, product, and message.
- Generated $2 million in enterprise sales in the pandemic year. Designed a go‐to‐market strategy for the enterprise side, resulting in expanded opportunities for existing clients.
- Expanded new consulting services in diversity, equity, and inclusion analysis, resiliency and trust measurement, and employee experience diagnostics.
Education
Certificate in Performance and Leadership Coaching
Brown University, School of Professional Studies - Providence, RI
Certificate in Executive Women's Leadership Program
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management - Evanston, IL
Master's Degree in Communications
DePaul University - Chicago, IL, USA
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management
Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL, USA
Bachelor's Degree in Art History
Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL, USA
Certifications
SHRM-SCP Certification
SHRM
Prosci Certification
Prosci
Skills
Output Software
Google Sheets, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint
Other
Microsoft 365, Excel Expert, Google Drive, Communications Management, Consulting, Corporate Planning, Business, Management, Human Resources (HR), Communication, Writing & Editing, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), HR Analytics, HR/Workforce Transformation, Organizational Design, HR Transformation, Employee Experience, Business Operations, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Team Management, Executive Coaching, Management Consulting, Business Proposals, ADKAR Change Model, Organizational Structure, Employee Engagement, Business Transformation, Transformational Leadership, Prosci ADKAR, Onboarding, Strategy, Go-to-market Plans, Go-to-market Strategy, Hiring, Capability Build-out, Operating Models, Operating & Service Model Improvement, Employee Upskilling, Data, Leadership, Negotiation, Enterprise Sales
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