Mary Tarnef

Human Resources Business Partner @Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.

As an HR Business Partner at Barnes & Noble Education (BNED), I provide strategic HR support to nearly 200 employees and 30 managers across multiple business units. My role encompasses guiding employees and managers through the entire employee lifecycle—from onboarding and performance management to offboarding. I partner closely with leadership to design and implement performance coaching plans, support leave administration (FMLA, STD, LTD), and oversee workers\' compensation for over 700 retail locations. A key focus has been on driving employee engagement and retention, with notable projects including the development of a company-wide Recognition Hub, which increased employee traffic to the site by in its first month. Additionally, I led several cross-functional HR initiatives, such as optimizing leave management protocols to improve response times and supporting open enrollment and benefits communications. My goal is to ensure a seamless, supportive experience for both employees and managers at every stage of their journey within the company.