Allison Best-Vanliew

About Allison Best-Vanliew

Experienced project manager passionate about leading teams through change, building smarter HR systems, and turning big ideas into practical solutions and programs that make work better for everyone. My passions include data storytelling to create actionable and impactful strategy, servant leadership to empower colleagues at all levels to make meaningful impact.

Experience

1. HR Service Delivery - Project Manager Iii

   M&T Bank

   May 2025 — Present · Buffalo, NY, US

   As a Project Manager and founding member of the HR Service Delivery (HRSD) team, I lead enterprise-level HR program transformations that enhance efficiency, compliance, and employee experience. My work spans process redesign, system optimization, and strategic communications to deliver scalable solutions across HR operations.Key contributions include:Driving HR program transformation by redesigning cross-functional processes and systems, implementing prioritization frameworks, and accelerating high-impact initiatives.Modernizing Leave of Absence (LOA) programs through Workday–vendor integration improvements, ensuring PFML compliance, streamlining payroll, and eliminating manual interventions.Optimizing workflows for LOA and Accommodations, reducing AWOL reports by 95%, consolidating processes, and automating communications—freeing 16+ hours/month of team capacity.Centralizing and relaunching the HR Service Center as the first point of contact, leading a multi-channel communications strategy that drove 141% traffic growth at launch and sustained YoY engagement.Building project management standards with templates and toolkits (charters, RACIs, process maps, test guides) to improve consistency and knowledge-sharing across HR.Leading cross-functional teams to deliver regulatory compliance projects ahead of schedule through structured check-ins, clear ownership, and robust testing frameworks.

Education

• Victor Senior High School

  High School Diploma, General Studies

  2005 — 2009

• International TEFL Academy

  TESOL Certification, ESL

  2013 — 2013

• SUNY Cortland

  BA, Professional Writing

  2009 — 2013

Skills

• Photoshop
• Editorial
• Fundraising
• Social Media
• Data Entry
• Conflict Resolution
• Program Management
• Hospitality
• Mla Style
• Proofreading
• Copywriting
• Student Affairs
• Critical Thinking
• Blogging
• Research
• Planning
• Wordpress
• Time Management
• Newsletters
• Powerpoint
• Editing
• Creative Writing
• Microsoft Word
• Team Leadership
• Community Outreach
• Publications
• Microsoft Office
• Strategic Planning
• Leadership
• Facebook
• Dreamweaver
• Crisis Management
• Tumblr
• Team Building
• Leadership Development
• Event Management
• Social Networking
• Social Media Marketing
• Teamwork
• Indesign