Dawn Ellery, CEBS — Co-Founder
I transform chaotic, outdated Total Rewards operations into reliable, human-centered systems that save money, strengthen culture, and finally align employee experience with employer intent. Across my career leading Total Rewards, HR Operations, and global people systems, I’ve learned a truth many organizations quietly avoid: engagement isn’t broken because of employees — it’s broken because the systems meant to support them are fragmented, inconsistent, or built on assumptions that no longer hold up. My work sits at the intersection of: Total Rewards strategy + deep operational rigor Human behavior + trauma-aware leadership Process redesign + trust rebuilding Data-driven decision-making + lived employee experience I help organizations remove the structural friction that drains performance, erodes wellbeing, and silently drives cost. From untangling global payroll and harmonizing benefits, to fixing vendor sprawl and building scalable processes, I specialize in addressing the root causes hiding beneath disengagement. I’m also the author of Dirty Little HR Secrets: Why Companies Are Losing Billions on Employee Engagement (And How You Can Turn It Around), where I challenge outdated HR norms and introduce practical, human-centered frameworks for sustainable performance. What I build is simple: people systems that work, cultures that trust them, and leaders who finally have clarity on what’s really driving results. If you’re navigating growth, complexity, or the need to modernize Total Rewards and people operations, I welcome thoughtful conversation and connection.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Total Rewards and HR Operations expert in complex organizational environments.
Location: Philadelphia, PA, United States
Experience: 25 yrs 3 mos
Skills
- Total Rewards Strategy
- Hr Operations
- Compensation Strategies
- Post-merger Integration
Career Highlights
- Expert in transforming Total Rewards operations
- Author of 'Dirty Little HR Secrets'
- Specializes in human-centered systems for employee engagement
Work Experience
Brother USA
Director Total Rewards (8 mos)
Self-employed
Independent HR & Benefits Consultant (project-based) (2 yrs 2 mos)
UBC
Director of HR Operations (1 yr 8 mos)
Glenmede
Vice President, Compensation and Benefits Manager (5 yrs 9 mos)
Oticon USA
Benefits and Data Administration Manager | Benefit Plan Integration & Optimization (2 yrs 5 mos)
Sweet Escape
Entrepreneur | Creating Opportunities for Positive, Open Communication about Relationships (3 yrs 10 mos)
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Benefits Manager | Wellness Program Development & Implementation (4 yrs 1 mo)
Bayada Nurses
Benefits Manager | Benefit Plan Proposal, Implementation & Communication (1 yr 1 mo)
The Rockefeller Foundation
Compensation and Benefits Manager (4 yrs 3 mos)
Education
BSBA at Bucknell University
Masters at Holy Family University
