Karen Rutledge

About Karen Rutledge

Senior HR executive and strategic advisor with 25+ years of experience leading people and culture transformation across Canada and the U.S. I work with executive teams and business leaders to align human capital strategy with organizational goals—building resilient structures, scalable processes, and strong leadership pipelines.My expertise spans the full spectrum of executive HR leadership, including:• Organizational Design & Restructuring – Designing operating models, realigning structures, and guiding organizations through growth, turnaround, and workforce planning.• Mergers & Acquisitions – Leading HR due diligence, integration of teams, systems, and cultures, ensuring smooth transitions and retention of key talent.• Collective Bargaining & Labor Relations – Serving as lead negotiator for multiple agreements, balancing organizational needs with fair and constructive employee relations.• Executive-Level HR Consulting – Partnering with diverse clients to deliver frameworks, policies, and tailored HR solutions for complex workforce challenges.• Human Capital Optimization – Diagnosing workforce inefficiencies, implementing performance-driven strategies, and strengthening leadership capacity.• HR Technology & HCM Systems – Experienced in implementing and optimizing HRIS/HCM platforms (Dayforce, UKG, ADP, and more) to streamline payroll, workforce management, and talent operations.

Experience

1. Senior Manager - Human Resources Consulting

   MNP

   Feb 2024 — Present

   Senior HR Manager within MNP’s People & Strategy Advisory/Consulting practice, leading enterprise-level engagements that align people strategy with organizational goals. Partners with executives and leadership teams to design organizational structures, guide workforce planning, and lead restructuring initiatives that strengthen performance and optimize resources. Provide expertise in HCM/HRIS implementation and optimization (Dayforce, UKG, ADP), ensuring compliance, efficiency, and adoption across payroll, workforce management, and talent. Lead M&A integration efforts, harmonizing structures, policies, and culture through complex transitions. Advise on policy, governance, and executive HR strategy, delivering frameworks that balance business outcomes with employee needs. Conduct human capital assessments, identify gaps, and implement targeted solutions that drive productivity, engagement, and leadership capability. Recognized for building trusted partnerships with senior leaders and ensuring people practices are aligned with long-term organizational priorities.

Education

• Royal Roads University

  MBA

  2008 — 2010

• British Columbia Institute of Technology

  HR, Human Resources

  1999 — 2002

• Royal Roads University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Human Resources