J. D. Leonard, MSA

Executive Director, Human Resources | People Operations Leader | Holistic Life Coach | Transformational Speaker

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

About

Experienced Human Resources Executive with a demonstrated history of working in higher education, political consultancy, non-profit and broadcast media industries. Professional Skills: - Leadership & Strategic Management - Payroll Operations & Taxes - Recruitment & Talent Acquisition - Compensation & Benefits - Performance Management - Retirement - FMLA - Policy & Training Advocacy: - Mental Health & Wellness - DEI - Conflict Resolution - Coaching & Mentoring

Experience

  • Executive Director, Human Resouces Operations at University of the District of Columbia
    Jun 2026 - Present · 1 mo

    Provide strategic leadership and operational governance for the University's human resources infrastructure, overseeing compensation strategy, classification and job architecture, benefits administration, talent acquisition and retention strategies, and HRIS & payroll systems modernization for optimizing operational service delivery.

  • Director, Human Resources at CCA
    Aug 2025 - Jun 2026 · 11 mos

    Overseer of: • Recruiting efforts • Benefits administration & design • Payroll • Performance reviews • Labor relations • Employee engagement

  • Manager, Human Resources at Close Up Foundation
    Dec 2021 - Aug 2025 · 3 yrs 9 mos

    • Processed multi-state, semi-monthly payroll processing with ADP Workforce Now and monthly payroll processing with ADP Canada • Managed the implementation of leadership and strategic initiatives, HR policies, practices, and procedures • Redesigned the talent and recruitment strategy for new hires through cultivating strategic partnerships with external recruiting agencies and streamlining processes & negotiating with vendors • Revamped full cycle recruiting process which improved the optimization of candidate quality, while supervising Talent Acquisition Specialist in organization-wide and external recruitment • Spearheaded a strategic diversity and inclusion roadmap for the Civic Fellowship program • Administered group retirement, benefits administration, and leave programs • Oversaw performance review processes, providing guidance to managers on performance appraisals and the development of performance standards • Executed annual audits for Workers' Compensation, 403(b) and ROTH retirement, EEO Census

  • Benefits Coordinator & Recruiting Administrator at Urban One, Inc
    Mar 2020 - Dec 2021 · 1 yr 10 mos

    • Serve as the main administrator for Taleo ATS; manage application and offer workflows; generate reports; and liaise between hiring managers and prospects with respect to their application status • Handle the preparation of job postings for internal/external announcements and identify external recruiting sources to maximize recruiting cost-benefit • Oversee the preparation of offer letters; conducting background and reference checks for prospective hires; and maintaining corporate new hire personnel files for all positions • Manage post-employment activities, including on-boarding and orientation, processing I-9 verification, setting up payroll; and ensuring that all required documents received and recorded in Lawson, and preparing new hire benefits paperwork; and assist with processing termination paperwork • Manage the Family Leave and Medical Act (FMLA) process and keep the compensation team abreast of any changes; process monthly benefits billing • Assist with Wellness initiatives • Counsel employees on plan benefits; Manage benefits enrollment/changes and terminations

  • International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) (4 yrs 2 mos)
    • Managerial Consultant, Human Resources
      Sep 2019 - Mar 2020 · 7 mos

    • Manager, Human Resources
      Feb 2016 - Sep 2019 · 3 yrs 8 mos

      • Oversaw full life cycle recruitment and served as the key contact for New Employee and Benefits Orientation; Updated job descriptions annually; Maintained HR employee files • Managed all benefits enrollments/changes and terminations; Conducted ongoing audits of benefits plans and other information in ADP to ensure data integrity; Administered deposits for HSA, FSA, and 403(b) plans • Counseled employees on conflict resolution and performance improvement plans • Managed bi-weekly payroll cycle and oversaw workflow of employee staff changes to ensure timely payroll processing in ADP to include timesheets approvals of current employees, new hire information input, cost center changes, departmental transfers, salary changes, and terminations • Managed full cycle of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

    • Coordinator, Human Resources and Contracts
      Feb 2016 - Jan 2018 · 2 yrs

      • Served as the Point of Contact for administration of contracts and grants • Maintained HR employee files • Conducted benefits orientations for new hires and Open Enrollment meetings • Assisted Grants Administrator to submit grant proposals, as well as post-award management responsibilities, including submission of quarterly reports and closeout reporting • Executed contract/procurement processing procedures and activities