Harper Donahue, IV

Chief Human Resources Officer at the City of Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

About

Executive-level Human Resources professional with a Masters Degree in Business Administration and more than a decade of leadership experience that emphasizes human resources policies and procedures in EEO/AA, workforce planning/organizational development, compensation, leadership development, recruitment initiatives and labor relations matters.

Experience

  • Chief Human Resources Officer at City of Milwaukee
    Aug 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 2 mos

    Executive cabinet member for the Mayor Cavalier Johnson Administration as the City of Milwaukee’s Chief Human Resources Officer and the Head of the Department of Employee Relations. Work entails advising the Mayor and fellow cabinet members on employment matters, regulatory compliance, and best employment practices while managing a $4 million operating budget and a $120 million benefits budget. Responsibilities include providing strategic direction and guidance to a staff of 45+ employees. In addition, providing the oversight and direction of the City’s civil service system, recruitment and retention efforts, classification and compensation matters, workers’ compensation and safety, and other labor and employee relations matters while serving as the Department's spokesperson for the City of Milwaukee on employee relations issues, and the Executive Secretary of the City Service Commission.

  • City of Madison, WI (16 yrs 4 mos)
    • Director of Human Resources
      Aug 2017 - Aug 2022 · 5 yrs 1 mo

      Strategic oversight on all HR Department areas of responsibility - set policy and programs, communicate and provide executive level counsel to the Mayor, Mayor's Office, Agency Heads, Common Council and City Leaders. Executive leadership and direction to align the diverse programs, activities, and staff of the HR Department, both directly and through subordinate managers to promote effective, compliant and equitable HR processes.

    • Labor Relations Specialist
      Dec 2014 - Aug 2017 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      Highly responsible, professional work in representing the City’s interest in collective bargaining, contract administration, administering corrective actions and related subjects.

    • Human Resources Analyst (Generalist)
      Oct 2011 - Dec 2014 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Professional human resources work in the development and implementation of recruitment and selection processes, the analysis and administration of the classification and compensation program, the administration of labor agreements, the coordination and administration of employee benefits and other related professional human resource activities and functions.

  • Equal Opportunity Specialist at City of Madison - Department of Civil Rights
    2005 - 2006 · 1 yr

    Professional work in participating in diverse EEO/AA program activities: outreach, recruitment, complaint investigations, EEO/AA monitoring, coordinating related employment/internship programs, and related data collection and reporting.

  • Outreach Specialist/Community Liaison at University of Wisconsin-Madison: PEOPLE Program
    2001 - 2005 · 4 yrs

    The PEOPLE Program (Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) is a year-round program designed to prepare middle school and high school students of color for college. Professional work in assisting with the recruitment and selection of high school students of color to participate in the program. Responsible for developing and implementing a variety of cultural activities, workshops and learning opportunities for program participants. Also responsible for assisting in the selection, training and supervision of program: teachers, aides, academic leads, tutors, residential counselors and volunteers.