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Canyon College


In memory of

Brenda Zehm, MBA, BA

Professor 2002 - 2007

Biographical Information


Education:

M.B.A. City University, Bellevue, WA., 1997
B.A. Whitworth College, Spokane, WA., 1994

Awards:

Listed in the 13th and 14th editions of the World’s Who’s Who of Business Women
Listed in the 1994 Edition of the International Who’s Who of Women
Received The Edge award. American Sign and Indicator’s award for exceptional employees.

Highlights of Qualifications:

Experience:

2001 to 2007
Top Five Data Services, Fremont, CA
Director, Client HR Services

Design, conduct, and analyze custom surveys researching best practices in HR. Create reports, analyze and publish benchmarking reports. Focus industries include biopharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and high-tech.
Review public documents filed with the SEC and analyze data contained within them for executive total compensation packages.
Evaluate market prices for exempt and non-exempt positions. Provide guidance/interpretation to clients as to classification and compensation. Assist clients with job matching and preparing job descriptions. Assist clients in the development of salary structures and developing salary budgets.
Develop recruitment and retention strategies.
Maintain company client database, contact client companies about products/services. Develop online surveys and assist in creation/implementation.

2002 to 2007
University of Phoenix Online, Phoenix AZ
Adjunct Professor

Develop online courses in cross-cultural communication, business management and human resource management.
Facilitate online learning course providing direction to students.
Develop syllabus, lectures, discussion questions, and other learning activities and materials. Review and assess students work and progress in the course.

2002 to 2002
Adiana Inc, Redwood City, CA
HR/Office Manager

Responsible for administration and management of human resource function in a medical device start-up company. Primary duties included recruitment/staffing, compensation, benefits, employee relations, retention and other HR services.
Provided coaching to managers/supervisors on employee relations issues, performance and productivity management, career development, and improving interviewing skills.
Coordinated and administered recruitment activities to source, recruit, and hire exempt and non-exempt candidates. Developed and administered new hire orientation process.
Coordinated and facilitated employee training, development, and retention activities. Created monthly employee events programs, assisted employees with developing long range career goals, developed training programs to assist with obtaining career development.

1999 to 2000
The Open Group, Menlo Park, California
US HR Manager

Hired as a FT temporary project consultant to assist UK management in understanding US HR laws, policies, and regulations.
Interpret policies and enforce, advise UK Management team of US HR practices and laws. Provided coaching to management on HR issues.
Review benefits package and negotiate with benefits providers during annual renewal.
Maintain US HR records ensuring regulatory compliance maintained. Manage 401k program and file annual reports with IRS.
Assist employees in benefits selection, advise employees of benefits offered, assist employees with claims processing and negotiating benefits payment(s) with insurance companies.

1998 to 1999
Service Management International, Foster City, California
HR Research Analyst

Competitive market research within the high-tech industry. Researched client inquiries and produced formal reports. Gathered survey data to produce charts/graphs, analyzed data and produced publication. Co-Editor of CustomerCare Benchmark Study. Develop online surveys and assist in creation/implementation.
Researched and created 2 day program for international cross-cultural relations training for Organizational Development Division to use in client training.
Administered employee health benefits program including transitioning to new policy and assisting employees with claims resolution. Maintained employee records.

1997 to 1998
Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California
Assistant To The Director Of Internal Audit

Coordinated annual All Hands meeting for nationwide participants. Arranged travel and planned and coordinated group team-building activities. Established intradepartmental communication channels. Administrator of department Timeslips program for tracking project time.
Produced annual financial modeling reports and templates. Assisted with annual budgets and with budget tracking.
Responsible for computer trouble-shooting and assisting employees with problem resolution.

1994 to 1997
PCN/Wismer Martin, Spokane, Washington
HR Manger

Responsible for administration and management of human resource function in a medical software company. Primary duties included recruitment/staffing, compensation, benefits, employee relations, retention exit interviews, file maintenance, regulatory compliance, and other HR services.
Prepare and publish newsletter, chair employee events committee, manage employee awards monthly program, develop annual salary plan in conjunction with Controller and CFO, employee benefits, motivation and morale building. Employee relations, team-building, conflict resolution.
Identify and resolve policy issues.
Managed corporate travel program. Reduced travel costs by 30% while increasing quality of service. Organized national user group meetings at 12 locations, semi-annually.
Reorganized office administrative staff for optimum efficiency during merger acquisition and downsizing. Assisted CFO preparing/locating documents for merger/acquisition.

1984 to 1990
American Sign & Indicator Corp., Spokane WA.
HR Manager

Primary responsibility administering company bonus/piecework program and sales commission calculations and tracking.
Prepared compensation analysis reports and benefits reviews/analysis.
Maintained employee files. Prepared and performed new hire orientations.
Prepared and published employee newsletter. Chairperson of Employee Events committee.
Wrote detailed manuals on mainframe computer use and trained users on custom spreadsheet software.

1977 to 1984
General Instrument Co., Post Falls ID.
HR Generalist
Primary responsibility for administering company productivity and efficiency programs and tracking. Processed timecards & maintained database. Prepared monthly sales statistics/bonus report. Facilitated training meetings and informed employees of pay for performance plan details . Assisted engineers with time/motion studies.
Prepared compensation analysis reports and benefits reviews/analysis. Prepared and published employee newsletter. Chairperson of Employee Events committee.

Community Service:

Executive Director, CELEBRATION DIVERSITY, 1991 - 1997. Founded and managed nonprofit. Composed Articles of Incorporation and filed with state government and IRS. Grantwriting, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, staff motivation, training, event management, and workshop & seminar production for an organization committed to the strategic value of diversity to an organization and to a community. Developed programs to encourage inclusion and increase cross-cultural knowledge.

Education/Transcript Summary:

The Union Institute:

Doctoral Level Courses:
HR ManagementJyotish: The Indian Science of Light
Compensation and Benefits ManagementVastu Shastra: The Science of Dwelling
Employee & Labor RelationsYogic Philosophy and the Spiritual Traditions of India
Org. Development, Leadership, & Teambuilding  The Saints of India
General Employment Practices & StaffingTraditions of India
Concepts of Spirituality at WorkConcepts of Time Across Cultures


City University:

Cross-Cultural Communications  Asia/Pacific Business Practices  Global Econ/Legal Systems
International Trade in A/PInternational Marketing A/PComm/Research Methods
Management AccountingIntro to QM TheoryMgmt Information Systems
Human Resource MgmtMarketing ManagementLeadership & Ethics
Organizational MgmtOrganizational BehaviorPrinciples of Finance


Whitworth College:

Social RealityContemporary China/E AsiaSociology of the Middle East
Native American CultureWorld Music TraditionsWorld Religions
The Third WorldSocial ResearchFuture Trends
Nonviolent Conflict Res.  Senior Seminar: Ethnic Conflict  Marxism & The Socialism
Internship: Prasad Project  World Order StudiesIntercultural Communications
American Foreign PolicyAmerican PoliticsFinite Math
Ancient/.Medieval WorldWestern Civ IWest Civ II
Western Civ IIIUS History to 1877First Corinthians & Society
Old TestamentChristian EthicsModern American Education
Writing IScientific Principles of PsychHuman Ecology
Principles of MgmtPrinciples of MacroEconPrinciples of MicroEcon
Russian I & IIFunding & Grantwriting


In addition to my formal education and coursework I have completed various seminars, workshops, and courses as defined below:
Course/Seminar TitleDatesOrganization Sponsoring CourseLength of Course
* See God in Each OtherApril 1990SYDA Foundation2 days
* The Battle That Must Be Fought (Spiritual Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita)Nov 1990SYDA Foundation2 days
Traditions of Siddha Yoga I & IIJuly 1991SYDA Foundation5 days each
Seva – Selfless ServiceJuly 1991SYDA Foundation5 days
Center Leaders CourseJuly 1991SYDA Foundation5 days
How to Meditate Level IApril 1992SYDA Foundation2 days
Saraswati: The Goddess of LearningJuly 1992SYDA Foundation2 days
Ganesh: Remover of ObstaclesJuly 1992SYDA Foundation2 days
The No Ego CourseJuly 1992SYDA Foundation5 days
* Prayers for the Fulfillment of LifeJan 1993SYDA Foundation2 days
* How Can I Make the World a Better PlaceApril 1993SYDA Foundation2 days
The Temple Course: Abhisek to the Gurus SandalsAugust 1993SYDA Foundation1 day
Gurukula CourseNov 1993SYDA Foundation2 days
* Everything Happens for the BestJan 1994SYDA Foundation2 days
* The Path of the SiddhasMay 1994SYDA Foundation3 days
The Samadhi Course: Let Your Knowledge Turn to LightDec 1995SYDA Foundation5 days
The Goddess in IndiaOct 1994Skidmore College3 months
Literature in IndiaOct 1994Skidmore College3 months
Blaze the Trail of Equipoise and Enter the HeartDec 1995SYDA Foundation5 days
The Mystical Way: Lives and Teachings of the Great Saints & SiddhasDec 1995SYDA Foundation5 days
* Beginning SanskritApril 1997American Sanskrit Institute2 days
Festival of India – FremontJuly 1999 & July 2000 1 day
Festival of India – Union CityJuly 2000 1 day
HR in a Start-UpJune 2000NCHRA2 days
QuickbooksJuly 2000 2 days
* In addition to attending course, I coordinated event.

These courses, seminars, and events have provided a background in the traditions and customs of India.