Tonya Garvin

About Tonya Garvin

A global HR compliance leader specializing in supporting multinational companies and global partners operating in complex, highly regulated environments. My work focuses on building defensible, scalable HR compliance frameworks that protect organizations, leadership teams, and brands while enabling sustainable global growth.I lead end-to-end HR compliance and workforce governance across employment law adherence, workforce classification, payroll and benefits compliance, board governance, SOX compliance and reporting, ISO certification readiness, and environmental health & safety (EHS). I’m known for translating jurisdiction-specific legal and regulatory requirements into clear, practical, and audit-ready processes that hold up under scrutiny.A solution-focused, results-driven problem solver, I bring a disciplined, data-driven approach as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, applying continuous improvement methodologies to strengthen controls, reduce risk, improve accuracy, and increase operational efficiency across global HR and payroll functions. I partner closely with executive leadership, boards, HR, payroll, finance, operations, and internal and external legal counsel to assess employment risk and support the defense of claims, charges, audits, and regulatory matters through thorough investigation, documentation, and compliant practices.My background includes full-cycle recruitment and workforce planning in regulated environments, ensuring compliant hiring across jurisdictions, as well as certified training and facilitation in 360 feedback, DISC behavioral assessments, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). I have also served as a talent scout for elite modeling agencies and high fashion houses, identifying and assessing top-tier talent in highly brand-sensitive, compliance-critical environments requiring exceptional judgment and discretion.I’ve partnered with global and regional organizations ranging from high-growth companies to multinational enterprises, supporting multi-entity, multi-country operations across high fashion, manufacturing, hospitality, and consulting. Whether supporting global expansions, restructures, payroll transformations, or regulatory remediation, my focus is always on execution, defensibility, and sustainable compliance.

Experience

1. Global HR & Compliance Lead U s & Eu

   Unison Infrastructure

   Aug 2024 — Present

   Global employee and contractor contract strategy, partnering with legal counsel and executive leadership to ensure compliant structure, defensibility, and alignment with jurisdiction-specific labor and regulatory requirements in highly regulated environments• HR compliance, governance, and risk mitigation across U.S. and EU operations, protecting organizational and leadership exposure• Payroll and benefits governance (U.S. & EU), including vendor oversight, statutory compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness• Draft HR and EHS policies, procedures, and SOPs, aligned with U.S. and EU employment law and regulatory requirements• Conduct internal compliance audits and support regulatory reviews, ensuring employment law adherence across the U.S. and EU, including workforce classification, contracts, and regulatory obligations• Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) compliance, including governance frameworks, training oversight, and regulatory alignment• Partner with executive leadership, Finance, payroll providers, and legal counsel on compliance risk management, audits, and regulatory matters• Apply process discipline and continuous improvement to strengthen controls, consistency, and operational effectiveness across HR and payroll functions• New-hire onboarding, ensuring compliant hiring execution, documentation, system setup, and workforce integration• Partner closely with Finance on month-end and year-end close, including payroll reconciliation, accruals, and compliance-aligned reporting• Workers’ compensation, including policy administration, claims management, mitigation strategies, and regulatory compliance• Tax jurisdiction compliance, including multi-state and cross-border employment registrations, reporting, and jurisdictional alignment• 401(k) governance and compliance oversight, partnering with Managing Director of Finance, HR Director, and plan providers to ensure ERISA compliance, operational accuracy, and fiduciary awareness

Education

• Indiana State University

  B.A.

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro

  M.A.

Skills

• Talent Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Leadership Development
• Strategic Planning
• Public Speaking
• Employee Engagement
• Team Building
• Accrediation/Re-Accrediation
• Coaching
• Six Sigma
• QA/Qi Compliance
• Diversity/Inclusion Practices
• Trainer: Leadership Development, Disc, 360 Feedback, Situational Leadership
• Organizational Design
• Lean Manufacturing
• Environment, Health, and Safety (Ehs)/Compliance
• Human Resources Compliance
• Compensation & Benefits
• Organizational Development
• Risk Management