CARMEN F.

CORTEZ
San Jose, CA 95127 408.582.3013 krug8890@gmail.com

Human Resources Leader

Dynamic, forward-thinking HR professional with a strong record of driving excellence through senior-level leadership of complex multimillion/billion global companies. Trusted executive partner, providing the expertise needed to inform high-level decisions and plans. Recognized for ability to start up international Human Resources organizations, creating frameworks and strategies to ensure alignment with aggressive corporate goals. Innovative thinker with the insight and ability to solve complex business challenges. Executive Coaching & Mentoring Talent Acquisition Training & Development Employee & Labor Relations Organization Design & Development Workforce Planning Strategic Management Process Improvement Start-ups & Turnarounds Change Management Restructuring Global Business

Professional History
**Since August 2011, providing executive consulting for leaders and organizations in the profit and not-for-profit sectors. Cisco Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA Worldwide leader in networking. Revenue of $40 B with 68,000 employees globally. 9/1999-8/2011

Actively recruited into the company due to outstanding reputation as a global-minded, astute business leader. Subsequently sought out to fill key roles within organization, utilizing international experience, executive coaching skills, and leadership to pave the way for Ciscos explosive growth. DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES, Global Internet Business Solutions Group (2005 to 2011) In pivotal leadership role, teamed with SVP and executives to design and drive strategies for executive talent acquisition, development, and coaching. Spearheaded multiple high-impact change management initiatives to respond to shifting needs, and directed organizational design efforts to maximize effectiveness and excellence throughout the Global IBSG group. Recognized for creating a Cisco Best Practice that supported opportunities for high-potential staff through design of metrics-based promotions process, based on CLEAD, for ISBG that clarified job descriptions and hiring/promotion practices. Achieved critical focus and supported alignment with corporate changes by restructuring vertical practices in Europe, Emerging Markets, and Japan. Additionally, hired new leadership for all three groups. Protected integrity and continuity of emerging markets organization as key player on restructuring team that oversaw management of the group during a several-month search for the right executive to take the top position. Optimized experience of MBA hires in role as Executive Sponsor for Development Cohort of the HR Leadership program. Created a Leadership Series that brought in top executives to speak about global markets and issues. DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES, Borderless Network, Collaboration, Data Center/Virtualization Sales (2009 t0 2011) Tapped to collaborate in design of an HR Support structure for new Sales model introduced in the U.S. and Canada and including transformation strategies to advance aggressive business goals ($28B overlay). Maximized executive performance through coaching and consulted with key business leaders to drive organizational design and transformation, while developing global leadership and talent management for group with nearly 3000 employees.
Led redesign of the HR organization for US and Canada to support new business model. Identified critical HR skills and sought

internal and external talent to align with the reorganization.

Recognized for delivering critical leadership and direction in role as de facto senior HR executive for US and Canada throughout 1-year

leadership transition.
Hired core leadership for the 3 architecture groups, then provided valuable guidance in managing the organizations. Played integral

role to leaders in hiring strong teams. DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES, Global Strategic Alliance and Global Corporate Business Development (2006 to 2009) Following reorganization, took on additional groups (concurrent with above) to ensure local compliance and alignment with corporate directives. Significantly improved engagement and productivity by introducing a more inclusive culture throughout all business units. Provided thought leadership to influence senior leadership and drive synchronicity between the organization and the larger company. Improved effectiveness of senior vice president through coaching to achieve a more inclusive and decisive leadership style. Prepared two senior leaders for promotion by mentoring and delivering essential guidance on leadership and management skills, as well as coaching in executive presence and communication style.

HR LEADER, Finance Organization for Worldwide Sales (2006)

Concurrent to IBSG role, requested to serve in 8-month (increased from original 4-month assignment stint in Human Resources support to executive (now Ciscos CFO). Gained approval for $1M budget to address attrition issues; in partnership with VP of Finance. Analyzed metrics/trends to determine causes and justify increase to budget, and secured buy-in of key stakeholders.

CARMEN F. CORTEZ PAGE 2 krug8890@gmail.com

Cisco Corporation continued DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE TALENT ACQUISITION San Jose, CA (2005) Partnered with executives to develop an acquisition, retention, and development strategy for VP-level talent.

Continued

Identified and coached several high-potential internal candidates and created a strong pipeline of diverse female VP candidates,

from which three were hired. DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES Japan (2003 to 2005) In onsite Japan role for $1.3B business, led team of 10 in development/execution of strategies to optimize success of executive talent acquisition and executive development programs. Served as acting Employee Relations Leader for Asia Pacific region. Achieved alignment with corporate practices by rebuilding the entire HR function in Japan. Established a cross-functional team of U.S. and Japan employees to conduct a Six Sigma process audit. Advanced organizational effectiveness by founding an international HR roundtable of high-tech American companies (including Microsoft, Intel, and American Express) to share best practices and provide support. DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES, Enterprise Sales (Europe, Middle East, Africa ) London, UK (2001 to 2003) Selected for two-year assignment to help implement new HR model for the Europe Sales division, involving 1,700 employees. Drove strategic HR direction/implementation, focusing on organizational assessment and realignment, leadership development, and executive coaching. Managed indirect staff of 12, with revenues of $4B. Contributed to successful effort to transform the corporate HR culture by bringing in higher skilled professionals to join the HR staff. Designed and implemented first General Manager Leadership Program for high-potential leadership. Contributed to team that drove organizational change to a vertical sales model across Europe. SENIOR MANAGER, HUMAN RESOURCES, Latin America and Canada (2000-2001) Defined strategic direction, implemented business and human resource plans, and localized corporate policies. Grew HR staff from one to eight as corporation focused on accelerating growth of revenue. Restructured Latin America to enable leadership change and expansion, utilizing internal and external talent to fill key leadership positions. SENIOR MANAGER, HUMAN RESOURCES, Human Resources, US Service Provider Sales (1999-2000) Partnered with key management to implement HR plans to meet rapidly growing employee population that more than doubled in less than 12 months. Lead a team of 6 HR managers and professionals.

Additional History
Rational Software Cupertino, California 1998 to 1999 DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES The Americas, Europe, and Asia Defined HR strategic direction, implemented business and human resource plans for existing employees and acquisitions, and expanded sales territories for Asia and Europe. Fore Systems Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1996 to 1998

DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES Asia Pacific Operations Opened and staffed offices in Seoul, Singapore, and Sydney and addressed complex termination and restructuring issues. Restructured Hong Kong and Japan operations to maximize sales, ensuring that key positions were held by best-fit leaders who could effectively steer their teams during rapid growth. CAREER NOTE: Previous positions with Apple Computer and Informix Software.

Education, Certifications & Affiliations

Master of Science in Consulting California State University, Hayward Bachelor of Science in Psychology University of California, Santa Cruz Certifications in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Benchmarks 360 degree feedback, and PDI Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Pinoy Know Yourself An Introduction to the Filipino Experience (Co-Author)