Meghan Benson
Alexandria,VA
Summary
Accomplished human resources and talent management leader with more than 15 years of experience in professional services environments, driving strategic people initiatives across the full employee lifecycle. Proven ability to build trusted relationships and establish credibility through exceptional client service, communication, and interpersonal skills. Adaptable and reliable, skilled in navigating dynamic environments and aligning HR strategies with business goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Human Resources
Bates White Economic Consulting
Washington, DC
01.2022 - Current
- Manage and facilitate firmwide learning and development programs, including new hire onboarding, management and leadership development initiatives, and other professional development offerings, ensuring successful execution through effective resource coordination and stakeholder engagement.
- Co-designed BWAccelerate, the firm’s management and leadership development program, in partnership with the Chief People Officer; developed the program framework and created three targeted learning tracks to strengthen leadership capabilities and accelerate readiness for pre-management and management cohorts.
- Designed and launched a quarterly training curriculum for business support professionals, tailoring programming to meet the developmental needs of employees across diverse functions and levels.
- Develop and facilitate internal training programs focused on interviewing, management effectiveness, performance management, and professional development.
- Partner with external trainers and learning vendors to design and deliver complementary learning experiences, including business writing, executive presence, and soft skills training programs.
- Co-lead cohort-based professional development programs, including the Consultant Development Program for undergraduate hires, the Jump Start Program for PhD hires, and the Midcareer Development Program for pre-management and management employees.
- Consult regularly with Practice Chairs and senior leaders to assess employee development needs and implement targeted talent development strategies and action plans.
- Oversee critical performance management processes, including mid-year and year-end review cycles and the Career Conversation process; provide training and coaching to managers to ensure high-quality feedback, effective performance discussions, and timely resolution of underperformance issues.
- Lead the firm’s promotion process for employees under consideration for senior-level promotions, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with firm standards.
- Drafted the firm’s Core Competency Tool, establishing clear role expectations and performance standards across all positions within the organization.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for firmwide recruiting initiatives, including PhD, undergraduate, summer consultant, experienced professional, and business support hiring programs.
- Partner with Practice Chairs and the staffing committee to align recruiting strategies with business needs while ensuring staffing decisions support employee development and career progression goals.
- Advise managers and firm leaders on employee relations matters, including performance management, progressive discipline, workplace investigations, performance improvement plans, and termination processes.
- Lead employee engagement initiatives by providing strategic direction for programs that strengthen employee connection and culture, including interest groups, firm events, and networking opportunities.
- Serve as an advisor to the firm’s Engagement, Inclusion, and Diversity Council and International Network, supporting initiatives that foster an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.
- Oversee the firm’s immigration process in partnership with external counsel, managing visa and green card matters for international employees while monitoring legal and regulatory developments impacting firm strategy.
- Supervise and mentor five direct reports across the talent function, providing coaching, professional development, performance feedback, and ongoing leadership support.
- Appointed by the COO and Deputy COO to co-lead the firm’s “Quality Work Experience” initiative focused on enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction; gather and analyze employee feedback following quarterly surveys and recommend strategic improvements to the employee experience.
- Previous positions held at Bates White
- Senior Manager of Talent (January 2020 – December 2021)
- Human Resources Manager (January 2014 – December 2019)
- Human Resources Generalist (January 2012 – December 2013)
- Recruiting Coordinator (December 2008 – January 2011)
Recruiting Coordinator
Accenture
Arlington, VA
06.2008 - 12.2008
- Coordinated firm’s four-step recruitment process, scheduled interviews for the qualification screen, technical screen, situational interview, and onsite interview.
- Responsible for the planning and execution of onsite interview days; coordinated all logistical details including arrangements for event location, catering, travel, and scheduling.
Meeting Associate/Specialist
Corporate Executive Board (CEB)
Washington, DC
06.2006 - 05.2008
- Coordinated logistics for senior executive meetings held throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia.
- Contracted meeting locations, hotel room blocks, restaurant dinners, and other corporate events.
- Responsible for weekly reporting of meeting statistics including client attrition report, meeting score tracking and registration reports for over 800 executive meetings to make data-driven recommendations to internal clients.
- Meeting Coordinator (July 2005 – June 2006)
Education
Bachelor of Arts - French & Government
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VASkills
- Performance management and coaching
- Talent development
- Employee relations
- Conflict resolution
- Talent acquisition and workforce planning
- Cross functional collaboration
- Relationship building
- Employee engagement
Certification
Professional Human Resources (PHR) issued 2015 (inactive)
Timeline
Director, Human Resources
Bates White Economic Consulting
01.2022 - Current
Recruiting Coordinator
Accenture
06.2008 - 12.2008
Meeting Associate/Specialist
Corporate Executive Board (CEB)
06.2006 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Arts - French & Government
University of Virginia