Yvette Kennedy, Finance Expert in Chicago, IL, United States
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Yvette Kennedy

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
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

Chief Talent Officer | Owner
Kennedy Talent Strategies
VP, Consulting
Explorance

Case Studies

Work Experience

Chief Talent Officer | Owner

2022 - PRESENT
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.
Focus areas: Consulting, Organizational Change Management (OCM), HR Analytics, Human Resources (HR), HR / Workforce Transformation, Business Operations, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Team Management, Go-to-market Plans, Go-to-market Strategy, Organizational Design, Executive Coaching, Hiring, Management Consulting, Business Proposals, ADKAR Change Model

HR Leader, Americas Operations

2021 - 2022
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.
Focus areas: HR Transformation, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Human Resources (HR), Employee Upskilling, Business Operations, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Team Management, Organizational Design, Executive Coaching, Hiring, Management Consulting, Business Proposals, ADKAR Change Model

VP, Consulting

2020 - 2020
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.
Focus areas: Consulting, Data, Employee Experience, Human Resources (HR), Business Operations, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Team Management, Go-to-market Plans, Go-to-market Strategy, Organizational Design, Executive Coaching, Hiring, Management Consulting, Business Proposals, ADKAR Change Model
2023 - 2024

Certificate in Performance and Leadership Coaching

Brown University, School of Professional Studies - Providence, RI

2022 - 2023

Certificate in Executive Women's Leadership Program

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management - Evanston, IL

1995 - 1999

Master's Degree in Communications

DePaul University - Chicago, IL, USA

1993 - 1999

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management

Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL, USA

1989 - 1993

Bachelor's Degree in Art History

Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL, USA

DECEMBER 2019 - NOVEMBER 2026

SHRM-SCP Certification

SHRM

JUNE 2019 - PRESENT

Prosci Certification

Prosci

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, 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, Strategy, Go-to-market Plans, Go-to-market Strategy, Hiring, Capability Build-out, Operating Models, Operating & Service Model Improvement, Employee Upskilling, Data, Employee Experience, Leadership, Negotiation, Enterprise Sales

Collaboration That Works

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