1. KARA A. MERRILL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Public administration/human resources manager with demonstrated ability to envision, design and deliver process and
policy improvements. Adept at leveraging and allocating existing resources, applying analysis, and using team building and
communication skills when managing details to drive a task or project to completion.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Budget Development Group Facilitation/Public Speaking Contract Management
Project Leadership Research & Analysis Process Improvement
Program Design Proposal Development Employee Recruitment & Development
KEY RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS
♦ Launched Succession Planning program, including vetting, purchasing, configuring & training in web-based Talent
Management System, running reports re. demographics of county workforce, designing succession planning templates.
♦ Initiated social media recruitment for organization.
♦ Created and implemented an Outplacement Program for county employees impacted by layoffs.
♦ Spearheaded committee to design Workplace Violence program in compliance with State mandates.
♦ Overhauled Reasonable Suspicion procedures. (Currently revising Drug-Free Workplace policy).
♦ Created agency-wide training program.
♦ Designed Salary Survey template for executive positions.
EXPERIENCE
Director of Administration (HR) -- Westchester County Government, White Plains, NY, 2013 – present.
♦ Supervise duties listed below in Assistant to the Commissioner & Director of Program Development positions
(Supervise 4 professionals and 1 clerical staff member).
♦ Assist in development/monitoring of department budget.
♦ Draft employee policies & procedures, often in conjunction with Law Department.
♦ Manage FOIL response for Human Resources department.
♦ Manage background check and medical/drug testing process for County government departments.
♦ Design & train department contacts in Progressive Discipline and Reasonable Suspicion protocols.
♦ Coordinate Section 75 medical (fitness for duty) reviews.
♦ Design and implement Talent Management program, including Succession Planning.
Special Assistant to the Commissioner of HR – Westchester County Government, White Plains, NY, 2012 – 2013.
♦ In addition to duties described in the two positions below (Director of Program Dev. & Public Admin. Intern):
Designed a Separation/Layoff program for the County: outlined a communication plan for HR during layoff process;
drafted talking points for department personnel reps and messages for Intranet; helped create and convene meeting
of department personnel reps; Designed and implemented Take Control of Your Career Sessions for employees;
Created Separation Packs to be distributed to affected employees; Organized Rapid Response sessions with DOL for
laid-off employees. Collected Exit Interview forms and fielded department questions regarding exit interviews.
♦ Spearheaded recruitment for executive-level positions including creating salary surveys and budget plans, and
choosing venues for posting; conducted related research such as licensing process for MD’s in NYS, and
consolidation of medical examiner services in other jurisdictions. Helped lead recruitment and secure
venues/contracts for large-scale exams (such as Police Officer) and “non-traditional” recruitment: including posting
announcements/openings on social media, college websites and professional job boards, and conducting on-site
recruitment and information sessions at high schools/colleges.
♦ Managed the contract process from start to finish for the HR Department.

2. Director of Program Development - Westchester County Government, White Plains, NY, 2008-2012.
♦ In addition to duties described immediately below (Public Admin. Fellow): Created a county-wide training program,
under the supervision of a Training Committee (seven commissioners); coordinated existing programs/resources to
achieve efficiencies (training database, on-line training calendar, on-line surveys); published TCL Reporter e-newsletter;
designed county-wide needs assessment and training evaluations; communicated the goals of the program throughout
the organization and worked with departmental liaisons from 28 departments; researched and developed an in-house
supervisory training program.
♦ Spearheaded development and administration of an agency-wide survey of staff functions to consider consolidation of
various county departments and functions.
♦ Chaired Workplace Violence (WV) Committee, launching a WV program including drafting report
templates/protocol, coordinating site surveys and designing mandated new hire and annual training in the subject.
Public Administration Fellow – Westchester County Government, White Plains, NY, 2007- 2008.
♦ Worked with Law Dept. to develop and monitor contracts and RFP’s
♦ Participated in childcare committee (researched, analyzed and wrote white paper on employee uptake on dependent
care flexible spending accounts)
♦ Served as departmental EEO compliance officer, ADA compliance officer, and backup FOIL officer
♦ Re-designed and facilitated new employee orientation
♦ Coordinated employee tuition reimbursement and tuition reduction programs
♦ Ran a charitable campaign with non-profit organizations
♦ Administered summer employment program
♦ Researched and implemented new recruitment strategies
♦ Organized an annual employee recognition event
♦ Scheduled and created/presented HR component at supervisory trainings
♦ Conducted special projects, as requested by the Commissioner of Human Resources.
♦ Supervised two clerical staff.
Development Consultant (part-time) – 2003 – 2007:
Advancement Consultant -- Human Rights Education Associates, Brooklyn, NY and NYDS, New York, NY
Researched funding prospects; created prospect and tracking databases (Access); wrote and edited proposals; initiated
contact with foundations; created funding budgets; devised fundraising strategy; monitored government funders and
professional literature; and provided general fundraising consultation to staff and Executive Director/President.
Grant Reviewer – Beaumont Foundation (Texas), on-line consulting position.
Reviewed and critiqued proposals submitted to the Foundation for educational technology grants. Scored proposals based
on the Foundation’s Scoring Rubric, and provided narrative explanation of results.
Director of Foundation and Government Relations -- Salvation Army of Greater New York, NY, NY, 1999 –2003.
Supervised staff of four (Grant Writers and Admin. Asst.). Recruited, hired and trained staff; managed all HR duties
related to the unit; administered workload; assisted in developing program design and evaluation, and conducting needs
assessment; critiqued writing; assisted with problem solving, budget drafting and management, and language choice.
Screened projects and Requests for Proposals for fundraising appropriateness and alignment with agency mission.
Worked with Program Directors to articulate funding need and receive internal agency approval. Conducted program
evaluation with program staff. Visited and helped monitor programs. Coordinated site visits with funders. Met with
funders to conduct “post-mortem” on proposals submitted. Monitored government and private funding trends. Managed
files of about 1/3 of Division’s trusts (about $15 million). Attended development conferences and bidders’ meetings.
Organized dais at annual fundraising event. The newly-received and the renewed government grants we worked on
amounted to approximately $50 million/annum; private foundation grants amounted to about $2.5 million/annum. The
agency’s 2003 total operating budget was approximately $134 million.
Senior Grant Writer – Salvation Army of Greater New York, NY, NY, 1998 – 1999.
Researched and wrote grant proposals to private and corporate foundations. Responded to local and national government
Request for Proposals. Collaborated with program staff to describe adult education programs, women’s programs,
computer labs and libraries, after-school programs, children’s programs, seniors programs, foster care services, services for

3. the homeless, and community center programming. Worked with Finance Department to draft and track budgets.
Corresponded with funders and attended funder meetings.
On-line Instructor -- Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, 1998 – 1999.
Designed and taught on-line grant writing course and independent study for graduate and undergraduate students.
Supervising Case Manager (JTPA Program) & Coordinator (Families in Transition Program) -- CAMBA,
Brooklyn, NY, 1995 - 1997.
Provided case management to women making the transition from public assistance to work. Co-wrote funding reports
and proposals. Trained other case managers in maintaining client files and case management database. Aided in all
aspects of program administration, and with screening and recruitment of clients. Designed flyers and conducted outreach
to community regarding the program’s offerings. Assisted in job search and placement. Facilitated “Business
Communication” component of program. Assisted in restructuring of program. Also, restructured program for women
receiving public assistance, growing the number of clients by two-thirds. Supervised and trained staff (one teacher and
two work experience tutors). Served as liaison to community outreach programs. Designed and facilitated writing
workshops and adult basic education courses. Wrote funding reports. Hosted and attended funding meetings. Provided
case management and job development. Devised evaluation standards.
EDUCATION
M.P.A., Public and Non-profit Policy, New York University, Wagner School of Public Service
Public Service Scholarship: GPA 3.82
M.A., English (Literature & Theory), Binghamton University
Graduate Fellowship: GPA 3.91
B.A., English / History (with Departmental Honors), Union College
Bailey Cup: To the senior who has rendered the greatest service to the College in any field.
Minerva Prize: To the student whose work best combines the scholarly study of women or
gender with activities to enhance the life of women on campus.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE & ASSOCIATIONS (recent, partial listing)
♦ Junior League on the Hudson – member
♦ Irvington PTSA – member and project volunteer
♦ Society for Human Resource Management - member
♦ International City/County Management Association - member
COMPUTER PROFICIENCY
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, some Access, Outlook; some SPSS; Internet & Social Media proficient; talent
management & HR software; Enjoy learning new applications