Keena Brown
About Keena Brown
Keena Brown serves as the Director of People Operations at R-Zero, bringing extensive experience in human resources and organizational development. With a career spanning over two decades, she has held various leadership roles in prominent companies and is recognized for her expertise in employee relations and organizational restructuring.
Current Role at R-Zero
Keena Brown serves as the Director of People Operations at R-Zero, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on enhancing organizational effectiveness and fostering a positive workplace culture. Her responsibilities include overseeing human resources strategies and initiatives that align with the company's goals. Brown's leadership in this capacity is aimed at driving employee engagement and optimizing operational processes.
Previous Experience in Human Resources
Keena Brown has extensive experience in human resources across various organizations. Prior to her current role, she worked at R-Zero as a Senior Business Partner in People & Culture from 2021 to 2022. She also held positions at McGraw-Hill Education as a Senior Human Resources Manager from 2010 to 2015, and at NextLevel Health, where she served as both Human Resources Operations Manager and Senior Human Resources Business Partner from 2016 to 2020. Her background includes significant roles in organizational restructuring and employee relations.
Education and Expertise
Keena Brown holds an MBA in Human Resources from the Wisconsin School of Business, which she completed from 2000 to 2002. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, studying there from 1992 to 1997. Her expertise encompasses organizational restructuring, acquisition integration, employee relations, union avoidance, and leadership coaching and development. Brown is recognized for delivering process-driven solutions that enhance efficiency within organizations.
Volunteer Work and Community Engagement
Keena Brown is actively involved in community service, having volunteered with organizations such as Chicago Hopes for Kids, the DuSable Museum, and the Taproot Foundation. Her commitment to community engagement reflects her dedication to making a positive impact beyond her professional responsibilities. This involvement demonstrates her values and commitment to fostering community development.
Career Progression and Key Roles
Throughout her career, Keena Brown has held various key positions that have contributed to her professional growth. She began her career as a Packaging Engineer at Oscar Mayer from 1997 to 2000. She then transitioned into human resources roles at companies such as Whirlpool Corporation and Nestle Waters, where she gained valuable experience. Her career trajectory includes significant roles in HR management and operations, culminating in her current position at R-Zero.