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Kathleen Budrean

@kathleenbudrean

COO and HR Director at Vander Weele Group who rebuilt HR infrastructure and aligned workforce planning with nearly 3x headcount growth.

United States

Message

At Vander Weele Group, I rebuilt an underdeveloped HR function, closed compliance gaps, and established scalable HR infrastructure. I led HR, Client Services, and Finance while supporting workforce planning and talent strategies through nearly 3x headcount growth.

I also led the cross-functional implementation of Unanet ERP, integrated HR systems into Paylocity, and created a workforce capacity model aligned with financial forecasting. At Safe Humane Chicago, I established the first Court Case Dog Program in the U.S., supporting canine victims of abuse and neglect and increasing live release rates from 2% to 95%.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Chief Operating Officer & HR Director

Vander Weele Group

Jul 2020 - Aug 2026 (6 years 1 month)

Modernized legacy HR infrastructure, led HR, Client Services, and Finance during organizational growth, and managed an 8-person operations team. Rebuilt HR function, led workforce planning supporting nearly 3x headcount growth, and implemented Paylocio and Unanet systems.

HR Infrastructure Workforce Planning Organizational Design Employee Relations Performance Management Total Rewards Compensation Strategy Paylocity Unanet Platform HR workflows SOC2 ERP Implementation

Program Manager

Safe Humane Chicago

Jan 2010 - Jul 2020 (10 years 6 months)

Established the first Court Case Dog Program in the U.S., increasing live release rates from 2% to 95%. Selected, onboarded, and trained staff, contractors, and volunteers, and built partnerships with municipal agencies.

Program Management Corporate Trainer Partnership Building Onboarding Engagement

Contract Recruiter & HR

The Bradford Group and Hammacher Schlemmer

Feb 2009 - Nov 2009 (9 months)

Recruited mid-level to senior management roles across technology, marketing, accounting, and sales. Increased IT retention through targeted recruiting and contributed to employee referral and recognition programs.

Recruitment Talent Acquisition Employee Referral Programs Internal Communications

Director of Organizational Effectiveness & HR

Harrington College of Design

Jul 2003 - Feb 2009 (5 years 7 months)

Led organizational improvement initiatives for 350 staff and faculty, introduced performance management training, and strengthened faculty culture. Oversaw all HR functions including recruiting, performance management, and employee relations.

Organizational Development Performance Management Employee Relations Strategic Planning Onboarding Human Resource Budgeting

HR Manager/HR Business Partner

Frankel • Draft Worldwide

Supported 1,000 employees across 66 field offices during post-merger integration, managed workforce reductions, and built HR systems for technical start-up subsidiaries. Led recruitment strategy and conducted advanced employee relations investigations.

HR Business Partnering Employee Relations Recruitment Strategy Employer Branding Reductions In Force Compliance Investigation