Melissa Symanski

Senior Talent and Organizational Development Specialist @Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH)

Waltham, MA, US

Acting Organizational Development Lead for Talent Development Team Serve as an internal Organizational Effectiveness consultant, partnering with the CEO, Principals, and Division and Region Heads to design workforce and organizational structures that supported business strategy, including clarifying leadership roles, decision rights, and accountability. Lead firmwide workforce assessments to understand current-state capabilities and future skill needs, using surveys, interviews, focus groups, and employee experience data to inform leadership decisions related to development, retention, and succession. Designed and delivered a 2-day, in-person Supervisory Leadership Development program focused on building foundational people leadership skills for new managers. Program-manage strategic talent pipeline initiatives, including SGH\'s national internship program, by defining workforce goals, establishing governance, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders, and providing regular updates to executive leadership. Supervise the onboarding and project work of Talent Development Coordinators and interns while improving tools, learning frameworks, and delivery approaches to better support long-term workforce capability building. Support operating model design incorporating Agile principles such as clear ownership, rapid feedback, and continuous improvement.

Ithaca College

Bachelor's Degree, Communications Management & Design

Harvard Extension School

Graduate Certificate, Organizational Behavior

Harvard Extension School

Master's degree, Industrial and Organizational Psychology