Toya Kilgore

Human Resources professional with 15+ years of experience in employee relations, recruitment, workforce planning, compliance, training, and executive support within complex federal healthcare environments. Proven ability to manage confidential matters, advise leadership, improve operational processes, and support large-scale workforce initiatives.

Management & Program Analyst at U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (2009-11 – 2025-09)

Acted as a Supervisory Management and Program Analyst, leading HR operations, workload management, employee performance, and compliance initiatives in alignment with organizational policies and workforce objectives

• Managed employee relations matters, including coaching, counseling, investigations, and corrective actions, while fostering employee engagement, collaboration, and workforce retention
• Directed national training programs across 170+ Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, increasing compliance rates by 20–25% and reducing reporting errors by 30% through improving tracking systems and standardized processes
• Leveraged data analytics, performance metrics, and dashboards to identify workforce gaps, strengthen program governance, and provide executive leadership with strategic operational insights
• Led administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program for Supply Chain Management and Logistics, managing sensitive and confidential information requests, ensuring compliance with federal laws and VA policies, and advising leadership on risk management and audit readiness

Management & Program Analyst (Temporary Promotion) at U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (2022-11 – 2023-03)

Served as an Executive Assistant to the Deputy Program Manager, providing high-level administrative, analytical, and operational support to advance leadership priorities

• Managed high-visibility and confidential reporting matters, including Government Accountability Office, Office of Inspector General, Congressional, FOIA, and Senate inquiries, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely resolution
• Developed executive tracking systems and prepared executive briefings, memoranda, and analytical reports to support senior leadership decisions and strategic initiatives
• Coordinated cross-functional communication among internal and external stakeholders to ensure consistent, accurate, and timely responses to leadership and oversight entities

Human Resources Advisor (Detail Assignment) at U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (2022-06 – 2023-03)

Served as the Logistics Office HR Coordinator, implementing standardized tools, HR systems, and workflow improvements to enhance staffing efficiency and effectiveness

• Advised executive leadership on HR regulations, hiring authorities, and compliance requirements, ensuring alignment with organizational policies and federal workforce standards
• Led executive-level recruitment operations, including recruitment package development, job analyses, classification support, interview coordination, and hiring recommendations for leadership review
• Implemented a standardized hiring and reference check procedure to promote equitable, compliant, and consistent recruitment practices across teams

Workforce Standardization & Organizational Design Initiative (Detail Assignment) at U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (2020-11 – 2022-08)

Served as a Human Resources Subject Matter Expert and strategic advisor on a large-scale workforce transformation initiative, guiding leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and operational alignment across a complex, multi-facility environment

• Led workforce analysis and staffing evaluations to identify operational gaps, improve resource utilization, and support organizational effectiveness
• Developed standardized HR frameworks, position structures, policies, and training programs to strengthen consistency, accountability, and workforce readiness during organizational change initiatives

Human Resources Specialist (Credentialing & Suitability) at U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (2008-02 – 2009-11)

Managed personnel suitability and credentialing operations involving sensitive and confidential matters, conducting risk assessments, adjudications, and compliance reviews impacting employee eligibility and security determinations

• Evaluated adverse or derogatory information, applying sound judgment and discretion to assess findings and determine or recommend appropriate actions

Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment & Placement) at U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (2005-09 – 2008-02)

Led full-cycle recruitment for 50+ positions annually, reducing time-to-hire from 90 to 45 days by streamlining job analyses, applicant evaluations, hiring recommendations, and onboarding processes in compliance with federal workforce regulations

• Advised leadership on recruitment strategy, staffing actions, compliance matters, and workforce planning, while supporting complex personnel and employee relations matters
• Improved hiring quality and operational efficiency by implementing standardized recruitment workflows, pre-employment screening processes, and quality assurance measures
• Directed administration and compliance oversight for large-scale onboarding and personnel records programs involving more than 10,000 workforce files and external stakeholders

Human Resources Intern | Employee Relations Assistant | Recruitment & Staffing Assistant | Student Trainee at U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Supported recruitment, classification, and employee relations functions within a high-volume federal HR environment, advising leadership on personnel processes and compliance requirements

• Assisted with recruitment operations, applicant evaluations, onboarding activities, and personnel action processing while ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance
• Conducted employee relations and workforce support activities, including investigations, records management, case file preparation, and administrative support for appeals and disciplinary matters
• Managed HR databases, workforce reports, and personnel records while providing operational and customer support employees, applicants, and HR staff

Master of Arts in Psychology – National Louis University

Master of Education in Instructional Technology – American Intercontinental University Online

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Southern Illinois University Carbondale