Amber Harris

About Amber Harris

I am a senior HR leader with 25 years of experience strengthening workplace culture, navigating complex employee relations matters, and developing leaders who can build trust, accountability, and high‑performing teams. My work centers on elevating communication, improving engagement, and ensuring employees at all levels feel supported and respected.In my current role, I lead Employee Relations for a large, multi‑site organization and oversee a team of Regional HR Managers supporting 300+ locations across the U.S. I advise senior leadership on high‑impact workforce issues, guide organizational decision‑making, and manage the most sensitive and complex investigations with fairness, discretion, and clarity. I also play a key role in acquisition integration, ensuring newly acquired teams are aligned with KAG’s expectations, culture, policies, and Employee Relations philosophy. This includes supporting leaders through transition, standardizing practices, and building trust with new employees during periods of change.My leadership philosophy is rooted in a people‑first, appreciative approach. I believe strong leaders communicate with transparency, act with consistency, and invest in the people they serve. I design and deliver leadership development programs that strengthen these skills and help leaders approach challenges with confidence, empathy, and accountability.Across transportation, manufacturing, logistics, and corporate environments, I’ve helped organizations improve retention, build stronger teams, elevate communication, and resolve high‑stakes issues with professionalism and stability. I thrive in environments where culture, leadership, and strategic HR partnership are critical to success.I enjoy connecting with other HR and business leaders who share a passion for people‑centered growth, organizational health, and building workplaces where employees can thrive.

Experience

1. Senior Regional Human Resources Manager

   Kenan Advantage Group

   Jul 2024 — Present

   As the Senior Regional Human Resources Manager, I lead Employee Relations across a nationwide, multi‑site organization and oversee a team of Regional HR Managers supporting 300+ locations. I serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership—EVP, VP, and Director‑level—on complex workplace matters that impact culture, operations, and organizational effectiveness. Key Responsibilities & Leadership Impact:Lead national Employee Relations strategy, ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance across all regions and business units. Direct and develop a team of Field HR Managers, strengthening HR capability, decision-making consistency, and regional execution. Advise senior leadership on high‑impact people decisions, including workforce planning, organizational structure, performance issues, and culture alignment. Oversee complex and sensitive investigations, partnering with legal counsel to drive sound, defensible, and people‑focused outcomes. Lead HR integration for acquisitions, aligning newly acquired employees and leaders with KAG’s Employee Relations expectations, policies, culture, and communication standards.Develop and facilitate leadership training, including new manager onboarding and ongoing development that strengthens accountability, communication, and appreciative leadership. Drive union‑free strategies and labor relations planning, supporting an engaged and stable workforce. Champion a transparent, people‑first culture, ensuring open communication between employees, leadership, and corporate HR. This role allows me to shape culture, elevate leadership capability, and reinforce trust across a large, complex, and evolving organization — including during periods of growth and acquisition.

Education

• Mississinewa High School

  Diploma, Academic

  1992 — 1996

• Western Governors University

  Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General