Adekunbi Farmer

About Adekunbi Farmer

I am an HR Director who operates at the intersection of people strategy, legal compliance, and organizational risk.Over the past 11+ years, I’ve built and scaled HR functions across nonprofit, media, education, and for-profit environments in the U.S. and internationally. My work is grounded in judgment — translating employment law, policy, and organizational priorities into practical, consistent, and humane people decisions.In my current role, I built the HR function from the ground up for a multi-state nonprofit supporting a workforce of 400+ employees. Reporting directly to the CEO, I serve as both strategic HR leader and de facto compliance partner, guiding leadership through complex employee relations, investigations, wage and hour decisions, leave administration, performance management, and manager accountability.I am known for moving organizations from reactive HR to intentional, systems-based governance. This includes implementing formal performance management where none existed, shifting from open PTO to accrual-based structures, correcting classification risks, rebuilding hiring practices to be fair and defensible, and holding managers accountable for both results and conduct.My legal background informs how I approach HR — not as rule enforcement, but as risk-aware leadership. I balance organizational protection with employee trust, ensuring decisions are compliant, defensible, and clearly communicated. Leaders trust me because I think ahead, explain consequences, and partner calmly through difficult moments.At my core, I believe effective HR creates clarity. When expectations are clear and decisions are consistent, employees feel safer, leaders perform better, and organizations scale responsibly.I’m particularly effective in environments navigating growth, change, compliance complexity, or leadership development — where steady judgment and credibility matter most.

Experience

1. Human Resources Director

   EDMO

   Mar 2024 — Present · CA, US

   HR Director | Building Organizational Culture | Legal Compliance | Leadership Team Member.As the HR Director at EDMO, I am passionate about building an organizational culture rooted in our values of self-awareness, problem-solving, advocacy, collaboration, and empathy. With a focus on fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment, I lead strategic initiatives to empower our team members to thrive and contribute their best work. From talent acquisition to performance management, policy development, and employee relations, I drive impactful HR programs that support organizational growth and employee development. Committed to promoting respect, kindness, and fun in our workplace communications, I am dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and engaged. As a member of the leadership team, I collaborate closely with stakeholders to align HR strategies with business objectives and ensure legal compliance. Let\'s connect to explore opportunities for collaboration and growth!

Education

• Olabisi Onabanjo University

  Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Law

  1999 — 2005

• University of Lagos

  Master of Arts - MA, International Law and Diplomacy

• Nigerian Law School

  BL, Law

  2006 — 2007