Toni Newborn

Led and provided strategic direction for 9 Human Resource divisions, including Consulting Services, Classification and Compensation, Equity and Inclusion, Labor Relations, Risk Management, Payroll, Benefits, Workforce Recruitment, and Training and Development; results include:

• Streamlined payroll processing timeline, enhancing efficiency for over 3,000 employees
• Negotiated and signed 25 collective bargaining unit agreements
• Investigated and processed workers compensation claims (COVID-19)
• Modernized the candidate experience (i.e., hiring, selection, and recruitment) to build an equitable, diverse, and inclusive talent base for the City of Saint Paul
• Built a talent development framework with trainings and career pathways to strengthen employee workforce and increase employee performance and productivity
• Launched employee pulse survey in 2023, achieving a 42% response rate to gather insights for improving workplace culture
• Embedded the racial equity framework into the work of HR and the city departments
• Launched and implemented global HR in 2023- a software solution that houses employee data
• Provided executive counsel and managed strategic resources to 15 department directors regarding succession planning, candidate experience, employment promotion, retention and termination, and professional development for over 3,000 City employees
• Oversaw operational budget of $6 million, ensuring optimal allocation for salaries and professional services.
• Established the city’s Human Resources COVID-19 task force with human resources and city attorney staff.
• Created city mask and emergency pandemic leave policies
• Advised department staff on quarantine protocols
• Established an employee vaccine mandate
• Formed the first Equity and Inclusion Division in Human Resources in 2023
• The Division is now comprised of a manager, Equity and inclusion specialist, and an AmeriCorps Vista
• Provided advise and counsel to executive leaders of 15 operating departments
• Assisted in implementing strategic plans for community development projects.
• Responded to resident inquiries, providing accurate information and support.

• Facilitated meetings with local stakeholders to gather input on city initiatives.
• Coordinated community outreach programs to enhance public engagement and participation.
• Worked closely with human resources to support employee management and organizational planning.
• Established 3 work groups and 15 department change teams to operationalized City’s racial equity framework, resulting in an increase of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color employees from 19% to 30%.
• Authored a racial equity change management work tool that embeds equity planning and evaluation into the City’s services, engagement, policies, and practices
• Developed educational opportunities for City staff and residents to learn about diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism with the goal of eliminating racial disparities
• Formed a community racial equity COVID-19 response team including 10 city staff and 200 community organizations
• Hosted 4 COVID-19 community roundtables for the African American, Asian American, American Indian/Native American, and Hispanic/Latinx communities
• Formed 4 racial equity Covid-19 action teams – healthcare, community engagement, legislative agenda, and economic justice – to facilitate the following:
• The collection of information from community organizations to help inform the city’s legislative agenda in response to the pandemic
• The design of a Covid-19 community led digital campaign
• Awarded a $75,000 grant by Living Cities in 2021 to advance racial equity work in the city
• The funds were used to create an equity and inclusion intern position
• The city offered the people’s institutes undoing racism training to approximately 100 city staff
• The grant funds were used to offer healing sessions to staff and community members during the Derek Chauvin trial in 2021
• Awarded a second grant from Living Cities in 2023 to provide healing sessions to staff and community members

• Maintained Chief Equity Officer job responsibilities and provided stability and strategic direction for 4 divisions and 30 staff by establishing regular monthly staff meetings and 1-on-1 check-ins.
• Resolved 131 human rights cases to uphold justice and community trust.
• Administered statewide Central Certification Program (CERT), facilitating 678 application certifications for BIPOC, women-owned, and small businesses, promoting equitable economic opportunities.
• Launched and led the new Labor Standards, Education and Enforcement which enforces the minimum wage ordinance and the earned sick and safe time for all City employees; investigated 46 earned sick and safe time (ESST) complaints and 25 employees received restitution of their money and/or time back
• Reviewed 247 affirmative action plans to ensure compliance with legal standards.
• Managed 1,078 professional service and construction contracts worth over $278 million
• Redesigned the procurement division over a six-month period by expanding the team from 3 to 7 people (hired 1 and promoted 3) and maximizing productivity in buying and contracting professional services
• Hired HREEO’s first Accessibility Coordinator to analyze and assess city building programs and services to ensure that they are accessible with people with disabilities and individuals who speak limited English

• Managed and supervised the daily operations of the Consulting Services work Group including 4 administrative staff and 10 human resources professionals
• Launched a process improvement initiative with staff to reduce the time to hire processing timeline by 60 days
• Reassigned staff to enhance city recruitment by boosting social media presence and launching 'elevate sessions' for community engagement on hiring processes
• Established quarterly check-in meetings with management and department staff to align on hiring needs and strengthen relationships
• Developed annual and quarterly human resources reports detailing hires, racial and gender diversity, and promotion statistics by race and gender, supporting the department’s racial equity work plan

• Managed and supervised the daily operations of the Complaint Investigation Division, including 1 administrative staff, 3 investigators and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
• Oversaw compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission work sharing agreement, facilitating the investigation and mediation of employment discrimination complaints under Title VII, ADEA, and ADA.
• Established a systematic approach for staff to process and investigate discrimination complaints under the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance, ensuring timely issuance of final determinations that summarize investigation outcomes.
• Facilitated over 10 settlement conferences (conciliations) following a probable cause finding by the Director of Civil Rights
• Managed and provided full administrative and legal support and guidance to the Commission on Civil Rights to enable the Commission to review appeal hearings and contested case hearings
• Coordinated submission processes for interested parties to present facts, arguments, and proposals during formal contested case hearings, enhancing transparency and engagement.
• Provided administrative oversight over $500,000 budget and personnel to ensure the Department of Civil Rights goals are met