Tori Whaley, aPHR

Advocate Health

Managed leave of absence department general inquires, answering and researching claims while providing an exceptional employee experience in an organization of 20,000+.

Built and launched a process framework for a longstanding policy, working cross-functionally with management and a third-party vendor to deliver smooth employee payment operations.

Trained team members to navigate and master a complex, multi-step leave of absence process by breaking down difficult concepts into clear, actionable steps.

Audited closed claims, ensuring compliant and complete closure, supporting successful employee transitions back to work.

Established comprehensive SOPs for essential departmental processes, addressing foundational gaps and providing clear guidance for new employees.

Reviewed and updated website content, removing outdated language and aligning updates with standards across business groups.

Developed and launched process improvement teams to address outdated, complex policies, creating actionable tasks from findings to drive measurable change.

Human Resources Coordinator, Leave of Absence

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

Delivered compassionate, concierge-level leave guidance to 20,000+ union and non-union employees across 21 states, building trust, reducing confusion, and ensuring a positive experience.

Resolved complex LOA cases with empathy and precision, increasing employee satisfaction and strengthening confidence in HR processes.

Partnered with 50+ executives, HRBPs, and stakeholders in 2023 to navigate challenging leave scenarios while advocating for employees through reasonable accommodations and return-to-work options.

Created user-friendly templates, policies, procedures, and process maps that streamlined HR operations, improved accessibility, and reinforced understanding of technical data.

Collaborated with Legal, Payroll, and Absence Management leadership to ensure compliant, fair, and employee-centered outcomes.

Processed weekly payroll for employees on LOA with 100% accuracy, streamlining workflows to guarantee timely and compliant payments.

Reviewed 2,000+ OSHA files for accuracy and legal adherence, ensuring compliance and mitigating organizational risk.

Facilitated interactive processes with empathy, assessing unique employee needs to deliver equitable outcomes and making separation decisions when necessary.

Liaised with third-party vendors through weekly meetings to address unclear claims, ensure proper handling, and strengthen accountability.

Wrote SOPs, letter templates, and a brochure to aid in understanding technical concepts. Created associated process maps in Visio for SOPs.

North Texas Community Foundation

Included Front Desk Administrator duties plus:

Strengthened internal IT support by learning troubleshooting skills, reducing outside vendor reliance, bringing a chronically over budget line item back within budget.

Partnered with stakeholders to overhaul 30+ outdated policies and procedures, streamlining operations and improving clarity for employees navigating internal processes.

Led cross-functional team to optimize a multi-departmental procedure, reducing procedure completion time.

Developed and cultivated a StrengthsFinder culture by designing team-building activities, creating peer-recognition programs, and facilitating workshops that increased collaboration, employee engagement, and performance alignment with individual strengths.

Trained staff and executives on collaboration best practices for a more inclusive culture.

Selected and implemented video-conferencing hardware for two conference rooms; coordinated install and trained staff.

Handpicked video conferencing equipment, one for primary and another for secondary conference room, overseeing timely installation and training staff.  

Reviewed weekly check deposit reconciliation with Finance to ensure accuracy and transparency.

Championed the recognition of Juneteenth as a company holiday, aligning organizational policies with cultural values and reinforcing employee belonging.

Operations Associate / Employee Experience Specialist

Allied with senior leadership to evaluate employee satisfaction via employee survey I created, shaping strategies that strengthened the workplace culture.

Served as the first point of contact for calls, emails, and visitors, delivering professional, attentive support, ensuring positive experiences.

Designed and led a comprehensive employee experience program spanning development, recognition, events, and retreats that reduced turnover by more than 60%.

Welcomed and onboarded new hires, streamlining system setup and acting as a trusted resource.

Orchestrated company events end-to-end successfully, including planning, logistics, vendor coordination, and on-site management, renforcing comapny dedication to staff.

Streamlined administrative operations by improving organization systems, optimizing database management, supporting projects which improved team productivity, all enhancing the employee experience.

Guided employees through complex LOA cases with compassion and precision, improving satisfaction and trust in HR processes.

Ensured accuracy of a 20,000+ contact CRM, enhancing reporting reliability and supporting data-driven decision making.

Enhanced workplace efficiency and culture by maintaining supply chains, managing kitchen and reception needs, and ensuring clean, welcoming common areas.

Served as primary liaison for vendors and building partners, fostering strong relationships, addressing concerns proactively, and ensuring timely resolution of all issues.

Created a sense of camaraderie and inclusion during the challenges of COVID through online events and activity groups.

Front Desk Administrator / Employee Experience Specialist

As a single mom I wanted to be present for my son. I traded marketing plans for a brush and bowl, becoming a hair colorist, spending most of my years at Neiman Marcus. A meticulous, creative problem solver, I actively listened to clients and provided white glove customer service. 

Trained regularly locally and attending conferences across the USA including New York City.	

Developed personal brand through customized processes and design as well as targeted customer experiences.

Utilized social media including Instagram and Facebook to drive business through examples of work.

Entrepreneur - Hair Color Specialist, Corporate Break

The HR team player you wish you had. People Champion | Leave & Accommodation Ninja | Employee Experience Passionista | Dazzling Communicator | Strategic Business Writer | Policy & Procedure Developer

I spent 15 years as an elite hair colorist in top Dallas salons, including Neiman Marcus, where I learned how to listen, earn trust, and deliver unforgettable experiences.

Today I bring that same mindset to my next company. I know that when employees feel supported, they create better customer experiences, and when customers feel valued, the business thrives.

I’m at my best tackling tough projects, solving problems others avoid, and building programs that make a real impact.

If you want someone who understands how employee and customer experience work together to drive success, let’s connect.

Benefits & Absence Management Partner

• Advocate for employees during the FMLA & ADA process
• Oversee FMLA & ADA process in over 20 states, including New York, Washington, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
• Collaborate with regional and local teams to ensure employees are safe and under state and local laws
• Work with unions to ensure employment agreements are being applied
• Manage a spreadsheet detailing all active, future, worker's compensation, and modified work. 
• Calculate wages for employees on leave, submitting to payroll weekly
• Initiate and administer the employee separation process

UB Greensfelder

Director, Human Resources Compliance & Total Rewards

Ulmer & Berne LLP

Director of Human Resources

Avient Corporation

Benefits Administration - HR Compensation & Benefits Center of Excellence

T Kraus - HR Benefits Consultant

Provide strategic HR consulting services to clients in different industries, and of varying sizes.
•	Comfortable advising Business Owners & Senior Managers regarding complex HR & Benefit matters
•	Serve as a working consultant that can think strategically while delivering tactically. Willing to roll-up-sleeves and get the job done.
•	Quickly understand and apply information and best practices to contribute to the organization’s strategic plan and business needs.
•	Possess a strong working knowledge of Benefits and HR functions that incorporates an attitude of continuous learning, the application of best practices, and the delivery of customized Benefit and HR solutions.

Benefits and Human Resources Consultant

Consolidated Precision Products Corp

Responsible for corporate-wide Benefits, HRIS and 401(k) administration. All of these areas are integral to the compliance, support and management of all employee benefit programs and plans. In addition, act as the liaison between management, benefit vendors, employees, the HRIS provider and finance.

Director, Benefits, HR and HRIS

Contribute to company's growth and development through effective management and administration of all U.S. group benefits, compliance and consolidation of policies and procedures in the management of benefits, retirement plans, policies, compliance, and HRIS.

Corporate, Manager of Human Resources, Benefits & HRIS

Corporate, Benefits & HRIS Lead

HR Business Partner for Consolidated Precision Products

Kraus Consulting

Independent Consultant for business regarding Human Resource, compliance and benefit matters.
Skilled at evaluating benefit and total compensation packages, policies and procedures and other HR initiatives.

HR and Benefits Consulting

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz P.L.L.

Responsibilities included: HR Management, Office Operations, Benefit Administration, Recruitment and On-Boarding, Performance Management, Professional Development, Salary Administration and Marketing. Directed and implemented the formalization of HR policies and benefits for the firm.  Creatively and continuously defined/redefined the scope of the position by researching/implementing area needing improvement.

Director of Human Resources, Benefits & Administration

Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff

Responsibilities included: Recruitment, Salary Administration, On-Boarding, Benefits, Compliance, Training, Wellness, Succession Planning/Mentoring, Policy & Procedure Development, Performance Management.
•	Liaison with branch office administrators for HR and benefits matters.  
•	Responsible for annual update of firmwide/global policy & procedure manuals for all levels of employees and attorneys.  
•	Ensured firm was up-to-date on Human Resources and Benefits legislation. Served as firm’s expert in area of policies, procedures, compliance and Best Practices in all areas of Human Resources.
•	Managed and directed all aspects of medical, dental and vision plans.  Additional programs included: FSA, STD, LTD, LTC, GTL and various optional insurances. 	Negotiated renewals and organized communication materials for all benefit plan Open Enrollments, including medical, dental, vision, FSA, retirement plans and Wellness Program.  
•	Expert and hands-on implementation of PPACA, FMLA, ADA (& ADAAA), HIPAA, COBRA, Workers Compensation, EEO, unemployment and ERISA.  Served as firm-wide liaison and responsible for Supervisor training in these areas to remain in compliance. 
•	Developed firm-wide Wellness program to promote work-life balance.

Manager HR Benefits

Snider-Cannata Interests, LLC

Provided office operations and executive administrative support to the owners of the business in the area of real estate development, construction and property management.  Involved close client and professional interaction and independent work product. Managed day-to-day operations and administered all Benefits and Personnel for small office.

Office Manager

Linton & Hirshman LLP

Part time position, providing paralegal research and support in the area of personal injury and medical malpractice Plaintiff work.

Paralegal/Office Manager

Highly motivated Human Resources and Benefits Professional with excellent experience in design and execution of innovative employment benefit strategies, policy development, and regulatory compliance for multi-location and global organizations. Work towards aligning human capital with the overall organizational strategy with an eye for developing and implementing appropriate two-way channels for communication between management and employees.

HR professional known for open-door leadership style, out of the box creativity and the ability to manage multiple/conflicting priorities. 

Forward thinking and look to apply a thorough understanding of client functional work and relevant business operations in order to balance HR and business priorities while executing key HR strategies and initiatives. Core competencies include:

•	HRIS
•	Total Benefits and Compensation Management	
•	HR Strategies and Succession Planning
•	Talent Acquisition, On-Boarding and Engagement
 	•	Performance Planning and Assessment 
•	Compliance and Metrics Management
	•	Supervision Management
•	Training, Development and Mentoring

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The Battle

Tori Whaley, aPHR

Terry Kraus, JD, SPHR

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