Open to opportunities

Nicky Espinosa

@nickyespinosa

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Senior HR Business Partner and executive HR leader with 30 years aligning people strategy to business outcomes.

Zimbabwe

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead enterprise HR strategy as a senior business partner—driving organizational design, workforce planning, and performance through data-informed people programs, executive coaching, and change management in fast-moving, high-accountability environments.

I’m a Senior HR Business Partner and executive HR leader with 30 years of experience aligning people strategy to business outcomes in complex, evolving environments. I partner with senior leaders to drive organizational design, workforce planning, and talent strategies that improve performance, engagement, and operational effectiveness.

Since Dec 2024, I’ve served as Vice President of Human Resources for Groves Learning Organization, leading enterprise people strategy for the CEO and executive team. I’ve driven organizational design and restructuring initiatives, partnered on total rewards redesign to address cost pressures while maintaining engagement and retention, and coached leaders through performance, employee relations, and talent decisions.

Previously, as a Human Resources Director at Hiawatha Homes Inc. in 2024, I provided strategic and operational leadership across the full employee cycle. I supervised a five-person HR team, oversaw staffing, benefits, LOA & workers compensation administration, managed progressive discipline, and supported a $10 million budget and 250 active employees.

I’ve also built a strong foundation across enterprise strategy and change leadership, including Mayo Clinic roles from 2007–2020. There, I led strategy, HR consulting, and enterprise program leadership in a matrixed environment—facilitating organizational design, talent acquisition, performance management, succession planning, and executive coaching to C-suite stakeholders.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Vice President of Human Resources

Current

Groves Learning Organization

Dec 2024 - Present (1 year 7 months)

Senior HR business partner to the CEO and executive leadership team, aligning enterprise people strategy with organizational priorities. Led organizational design, enterprise restructuring, total rewards redesign, and execution of core people programs including performance cycles and workforce planning.

Organizational Design Restructuring Total Rewards Compensation Strategy Performance Management Employee Relations Talent Development Leadership Hiring Workforce Planning Executive Coaching

Current

Freelance Leadership Advisor & Coach

Current

Aligned Leaders LLC

Jan 2019 - Present (7 years 6 months)

Partnered with senior leaders and founders to strengthen leadership effectiveness, decision-making, and organizational alignment. Designed and delivered leadership development programs and advised executives navigating organizational change and scaling challenges.

Executive Coaching Leadership Development Accountability Resilience Organizational Change Strategic Advisory

Director: Strategy Management Services

Mayo Clinic

Jun 2016 - Dec 2020 (4 years 6 months)

Director role in strategy management services at Mayo Clinic. Provided leadership during a period of progressive HR and strategy responsibility in a complex, matrixed environment.

Strategy Management Organizational Change

Senior HR & Strategy Leader

Mayo Clinic

Jan 2007 - Jan 2020 (13 years)

Held progressive leadership roles across strategy, HR consulting, and enterprise program leadership in a highly matrixed organization. Built a reputation for empowering teams through difficult transitions.

HR Consulting HR strategy Strategy Leadership Organizational Change

Director: Strategy Planning

Mayo Clinic

Feb 2014 - Jun 2016 (2 years 4 months)

Director role in strategy planning at Mayo Clinic within broader HR and enterprise program leadership. Led through complex organizational transitions in a highly matrixed setting.

Strategy Planning Organizational Change

Director: Project Management Office

Mayo Clinic

Dec 2011 - Feb 2014 (2 years 2 months)

Directed the Project Management Office at Mayo Clinic while serving in enterprise strategy and HR leadership responsibilities. Supported delivery and resource optimization within a matrixed organization.

Project Management Resource Optimization Organizational Change

Senior Consultant: Internal Consulting

Mayo Clinic

Aug 2007 - Dec 2011 (4 years 4 months)

Senior consultant supporting internal consulting work at Mayo Clinic from 2007 to 2011. Aligned HR functions with departmental growth strategy and supported organizational design, talent acquisition, performance management, and succession planning.

HR strategy Talent Acquisition Organizational Design Performance Management Succession Planning Project Management Resource Optimization Executive Coaching

Human Resources Director

Hiawatha Homes Inc.

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 6 months)

Provided strategic and operational HR leadership, supervising HR operations and employee relations. Oversaw staffing, benefits, leaves of absence, workers' compensation administration, and progressive discipline while supporting a $10M budget and 250 active employees.

HR Leadership HR Operations Staffing Benefits Administration Workers' Compensation Administration Employee Relations Budget Management Team Management

Chief Human Resources Officer

Eastwood Bank

Led HR strategy across multi-branch banking operations. Guided enterprise people strategy to support operational leadership across locations.

HR strategy

Director of HR & Operations

Rochester YMCA

Led an organizational turnaround at the Rochester YMCA, restoring financial stability and supporting large-scale expansion. Provided HR and operations leadership to enable growth and stabilize performance.

HR Leadership Operations & Support Financial Stability

Principal HR Consultant

RWJ & Associates

Delivered end-to-end HR strategy across talent, compliance, compensation, and performance management. Supported HR planning and execution to improve organizational effectiveness.

HR strategy Talent Management Compliance Compensation Performance Management

HR Manager

Western Digital

Built the HR function from startup phase through rapid scale (0–500 employees) at Western Digital. Managed workforce transition and offshoring as organizational needs evolved.

HR Function Build Workforce Transition Offshoring Workforce Planning

HR Manager (Multi-Site)

Pemstar, Inc.

Supported approximately 1,500 employees across Midwest operations, including M&A integration and workforce restructuring. Managed HR needs for multi-site operations during periods of organizational change.

M&A Integration Workforce Planning Workforce Management