Michael Makin

About Michael Makin

Highly accomplished and results-oriented Human Resources Business Partner with progressive experience driving organizational effectiveness through strategic HR initiatives and a strong emphasis on learning and development. Proven ability to align HR strategies with business objectives, build strong stakeholder relationships, and implement impactful talent development programs that enhance employee engagement, performance, and retention. Expertise in talent management, employee relations, performance management, organizational development, and leveraging data-driven insights for HR decision-making. Adept at utilizing HRIS and talent management systems like WorkDay to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Experience

1. Manager, Wellness & Engagement

   Giant Eagle, Inc.

   Aug 2025 — Present

   Develop and lead the enterprise wellness strategy, aligning initiatives with organizational goals to foster a culture of holistic well-being—physical, social, mental and financial-Drive innovation in wellness programming by identifying emerging trends, evaluating data insights, and integrating best practices to meet evolving team member needs-Build and manage strategic partnerships with internal stakeholders and external vendors to deliver scalable, inclusive and impactful wellness experiences-Establish KPIs and reporting framework to measure program effectiveness, engagement and ROI, using insights to inform continuous improvement and executive-level reporting-Oversee strategic planning and execution of workforce development partnerships-Lead cross-functional collaboration with HR, business leaders and external partners to design and evolve mentoring, sponsorship and leadership development programs to drive inclusion and mobility-Leverage data and feedback to assess program impact, identify gaps and recommend enhancements that support long-term talent pipeline growth-Lead the Voice of the Team Member strategy, including design and execution of listening mechanisms such as surveys, focus groups and engagement sessions-Translate insights into action by synthesizing data into strategic recommendations to enhance team member engagement. Partner with senior leaders to embed feedback loops into business planning and culture initiatives, ensuring team member voices are reflected in decision-making-Champion a culture of mentoring, inclusion, recognition and engagement by leading department-wide initiatives, team-building events and recognition programs.Serve as strategic advisor and cultural ambassador, modeling inclusive leadership and fostering a sense of belonging across all levels of the organization-Provide project leadership and operational excellence for key initiatives, ensuring alignment with broader HR and business strategies.

Education

• Penn State University

  Bachelor of Arts, Communications

  2007 — 2010

• Columbia Southern University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

• Columbia Southern University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Human Resources Management and Services

• Penn State University

  B.A., Integrative Arts

  2007 — 2010

Skills

• Event Planning
• Employee Training
• Customer Service
• Makeup Artistry
• Sales
• Marketing Communications
• Organizational Structure
• Fashion
• Coaching
• Beauty Industry
• Social Media
• Film
• Video
• Skin Care Products
• Fundraising
• Public Relations
• Advertising
• Film Editing
• Management
• Makeovers
• Sales Management
• Time Management
• Event Management
• Creative Writing
• Marketing