DONNA M. RUSSO Web Portfolio: http://www.webprofile.

info/drusso/
T: 520-722-0282 M: 802-498-3925
8801 E. Windflower Drive Tucson, AZ 85719
Email: dr95a602@westpost.net
SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE
STRATEGIC HR PLANNING * HUMAN CAPITAL PERFORMANCE * ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Multi-disciplined executive team contributor with valuable depth of experience c
reating and administering human resource systems aligned with strategic organiza
tion objectives. Expert at developing continuous process improvements and innova
tive solutions across all HR functions. Championed launch of corporate universit
y to enhance staff and management knowledge base while reducing costs. Earned so
lid reputation as strong, decisive leader with excellent communication skills. C
reate true team culture and achieve results through following expertise:
Professional Competencies
* Benefits Plan Design and Analysis * Business and Strategic Planning
* Collective Bargaining / Labor Relations * Compensation Plans / Pay for Perform
ance
* Government Relations / Legal Compliance * Multi-Functional Collaboration / Lea
dership
* Organizational Behavior and Change * Performance Management / Training & Devel
opment
* Vendor Relations / Negotiations * Project / Program Innovation & Management
Executive Performance
VSECU, Montpelier, VT 2002-2009
Vermont's second largest credit union with $500 million in assets that offers fu
ll range of products and services for individuals and businesses statewide.
Vice President Human Resources
Executive team member with active role in strategic planning. Administered all H
R functions; managed performance metrics, safety, and risks; developed corporate
university for staff training and development; and participated in board of dir
ectors committees and activities.
HR Leadership
* Created intervention process for employee discipline, performance, and behavio
r problems with remedial actions plan that enabled retention of 89% of participa
ting employees.
* Lowered turnover from 24%+ to 9.2% by implementing multiple process improvemen
ts.
* Introduced corporate university model that reduced training and travel expense
s 27% while boosting employee technical and soft skills.
* Established competitive statewide presence by helping orchestrate call center
transformation from service center to full-service, sales-driven, eBanking model
.
Cost Control
* Reduced annual operating expense almost 15% by replacing defined benefit pensi
on plan with defined contribution 401(k) plan while mitigating employer investme
nt risk.
* Decreased insurance premiums 19%+ while improving employee coverage by redesig
ning medical plans.
* Led productivity turnaround from 18% below quota to 30%+ above within one year
by reorganizing mortgage originations, processing and servicing functions, real
igning jobs, and acquiring new software.
Compensation & Benefits
* Cut worker's compensation claims 63% by implementing safety-focused culture th
at improved employee attitudes and awareness and controlled premium increases.
* Eliminated pay inequities, defined jobs clearly, and improved promotion tracks
by designing and implementing structured system for job classification and pay
ranges.
DONNA M. RUSSO Page 2 of 2
Union Bank, Morrisville, VT 2000-2002
Community bank with $400 million in assets, offering full range of personal and
business services.
Vice President Human Resources
Served on executive team managing HR operations, training and development, commu
nity relations, and assisting in merger of two banks, strategic planning, and pa
rticipating in board of directors activities.
* 25% reduction in integration cost realized by developing, updating, and redefi
ning benefits plans that exceeded employee expectations.
* Facilitated integration after bank M&A while increasing performance of existin
g staff through comprehensive training and adoption of performance metrics.
R & P Associates in HR, Middlesex, VT 2000-2001
HR consulting services for small, mid-sized companies, colleges, and not-for pro
fit organizations.
Human Resources Consultant
Consulted with organizations to classify jobs, write job descriptions, establish
pay ranges, set up benefits plans, prepare employment policies and handbooks, a
nd advise on personnel matters and employment law.
* Reduced compliance exposure for Vermont Housing Authority and New Hampshire Le
ague of Cities and Towns by developing specialized training programs for their s
tatewide offices.
* Maximized human capital contribution margin by implementing unique job classif
ication and pay range programs for business, higher education, and non-profit cl
ients.
* Enabled Vermont Department of Corrections to develop new staffing model and ad
vised officials on efficient, creative implementation and staffing.
* Improved working conditions for international technology company with high tur
nover by developing job benchmarking, competitive pay scales, and special incent
ive pay plan to enhance employee retention.
Vermont State Colleges System, Waterbury, VT 1989-2000
Public college system with four campuses and community college with 12 sites off
ering degree-level programs across large spectrum of arts and sciences fields an
d workforce training.
Director of Human Resources
Worked closely with Director of Employee Relations, General Counsel, Chancellor,
and central office directors, and advised and collaborated with college preside
nts, deans, and board of directors to develop programs and oversee human resourc
es and labor relations functions for state colleges system.
* Achieved almost 100% equity and uniformity across multiple operations and pay
grades by implementing system-wide job classification and pay grade system.
* Helped research and develop model to reengineer all operational areas to incre
ase efficiency across college system.
* Increased out-of-state enrollment 10% after collaborating with consortium of V
ermont colleges and tourism groups to develop marketing program to attract more
visitors to Vermont.
EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION / AFFILIATIONS
Master of Science in Administration, Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
SAINT MICHAEL'S COLLEGE, Winooski, VT
Bachelor of Science in Human Service Administration (Cum Laude), Management and
Human Services
TRINITY COLLEGE, Burlington, VT
Certificate of Banking Management in HR, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BANKING, Madison, WI
Society for Human Resource Management, Member
Vermont Employers Health Alliance, Eight-Year Board Member and Two Years as Boar
d Chair
Central Vermont Business Advisory Council, Member
Vermont SHRM, Committee Member
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Member
United Way, Board Member