Hello, I'm Michelle W.
Visionary HR and legal executive with over 25 years of experience leading process optimization, enterprise-wide transformations, and implementation of enabling technology for the world’s largest retailer, Arkansas’ largest public university, and for clients with law firms and in-house. Licensed attorney in Arizona, Arkansas, and Colorado, with deep expertise in employment law, class-action litigation, compliance, risk management and mitigation. Specialized focus in aligning HR and legal strategies with the business, talent development, organizational effectiveness, shared services, and global operations. Known for ethical leadership, operational excellence, cross-functional collaboration, building high performing teams and as the right person to build, grow, and transform teams and operations in the right way.
Details
- Location
- Years of Relevant Experience20+ years
- Seniority LevelC-Suite
- Highest Level of EducationDoctorate
Current / Most Recent Job Title
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Current / Most Recent Employment
Wolfe Property Solutions, LLC
Industry
Specific Jurisdictions That I'm Qualified In or Can Cover
Professional Membership / Certification
Attorney - Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado Advanced HR Executive, University of Michigan Global Business Services Professional, Inixia Mediator & Arbitrator, University of Denver Behavioral Threat Assessment, Deisinger Mitigating Risk in Higher Ed., IACLEA Business Email Compromise, Data Security, Walmart, Inc.
Skills
Organizational Development & Culture - Aligned diversity, equity, and belonging through an end-to-end HR services delivery model with a focus on talent development, and embraced diversity of thought while building, developing, and leading high-performing global teams of 50+ direct and 70+ indirect reports. - Designed and implemented HR strategies and programs in recruiting, onboarding, skills development, succession planning, performance management, job analysis, team and organizational dynamics, change management, data analytics and employee engagement/retention for multiple, unique divisions. - Fostered a “one-team” mindset to unify business units through trust and transparent communication. Strategic Leadership & Transformation - Built, scaled, and led global shared services, expanding from 2 to 8 centers across 5 countries, and scaled the Industrial Engineering and International Logistics functions globally for the world’s largest retailer. - Led enterprise HR strategy at a major public university, standing up the first-ever Job and Compensation Architecture in Arkansas higher education, including leading the design and implementation of its enabling technology to ensure equitable and sustained management. - Serves as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, providing daily strategic legal counsel and guidance to optimize and scale the business while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Labor & Employment Law | Compliance - Led wage & hour class action litigation strategy across 15 states. - Successfully reduced employment litigation claims by 12% and legal defense costs by $8M year-over-year while improving case outcomes by over 30%. - Delivered compliance strategies in areas including EEO, ADA, Title IX, Title VII, policy, immigration, ethics, and data security. Operational Excellence & Technology Enablement - Managed global supplier and master data operations and led the development of enabling technologies for contract and vendor/supplier management. - Oversaw a $4M P&L, standardized realty construction project processes for a $2.6B project budget covering 7,700 construction, design and remodel projects, ensuring 100% on-time openings with zero penalties or liens. - Appointed to the HR Optimization Committee, driving $69M in SG&A cost savings in year one, including developing a framework for sustained cost savings. Communication & Legal Advocacy - Represented clients in high-stakes litigation, negotiations, and mediations, and before courts, legislative bodies, audit and executive committees, and numerous boards. - Regularly presented CLEs and authored and delivered training content on employment law, conflict resolution and HR fundamentals. - Praised for clarity, candor, collaborating to solve complex challenges, creating structure in ambiguous situations and simplifying the complex to bridge cross-functional gaps in dynamic, high-pressure environments
Areas of Professional Interest
HR, Building High-Performing Teams, Employment Law, Process Optimization, and Tech Enablement as a CHRO, COO or CAO