Joyce Ryan

Background

About Joyce Ryan

As a highly experienced Director of Human Resources, I have successfully led all aspects of the employee lifecycle. Throughout my career I have developed a talent for collaborating with senior leadership to strategically align employee behaviors and attitudes with organizational values and objectives. I have expertise in enhancing employee experiences, improving employee retention, driving productivity, and establishing a culture of healthy employer-employee relations. I’ve been told by managers and supervisors that I am not the typical Human Resources leader. Not because I’m a superstar (though I strive to be!), but because I serve as a partner rather than an adversary. I am a thoughtful listener who seeks to understand their challenges while providing workable solutions and clear guidance. I walk the balance between risk and finding common ground. Whether coaching an employee or making the tough decision to terminate a poor performer, I approach each situation determined to take appropriate action. I am an independent thinker driven to bridge the gap between employee concerns and doing what’s best for the organization. I rely on experience, both personal and professional, to pragmatically address complex employee relations issues. I am a thick-skinned, confident decision-maker with extensive experience developing and improving HR operations including new hire orientation, onboarding, EEO compliance, workplace investigations, safety, progressive discipline, and benefits. As an effective communicator, I possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish trusting relationships with employees while building strategic partnerships with senior leadership. I have successfully developed and implemented HR systems and procedures for large enterprise companies as well as a startup organization from the ground up. I have brought structure and accountability to lagging HR initiatives and introduced lean manufacturing concepts to corporate business strategies. I have navigated the complexities of leading in a union environment, implemented a rapid response to union activity resulting in the workforce rejecting unionization, and led organizational restructuring and workforce reduction during economic downturns.