Team - Wilson Group

Why Companies Hire Us

Reasons clients say they like working with us:

“You will receive cost-effective results that make a real difference, and clearly demonstrate value that significantly exceeds the costs.” We understand the pressures and limitations of highly complex organizations. We do not need large-scale engagements from our clients. Our projects range in scope and timing that reflect the unique needs of our clients. We are also proud of our ability to meet your deadlines, budget commitments and quality of service requirements.

“You will not only receive valuable information, you will understand its importance, implications and gain innovative solutions.” We do not prepare “boiler-plate” proposals, presentations, or reports. Our work with you will address what you need, it will be custom tailored to your requirements. We go beyond just providing in-depth information and expert advice — we provide strategies, solutions and an action oriented spirit to deal with the changes needed by your organization.

“You will work with a team and as a team and be an important client to them.”We are known for our high level of responsiveness, collaboration and commitment to meeting our client’s needs. Unlike other firms where you can get “lost in the bureaucracy,” you will be one of our most important clients.

“You will work with highly seasoned individuals and people whose competence and style are something you can trust.” We are a team of highly experienced consultants that share a common set of values, complimentary capabilities and commitment to client’s success.

Thomas B. Wilson

Founder/Principal

Tom is a national authority on executive compensation and high performance organizations, and has over 30 years of professional business and consulting experience. He has worked with numerous boards and top executives to assess the competitiveness and effectiveness of total direct compensation plans, develop total compensation systems for sales organizations and total reward systems for employee groups. He is the author of five books including Next Stage: In Your Retirement, Create the Life You Want (2019), Changes for Challenging Times – A Special Report on Business Conditions and Compensation Trends (published 2009), Innovative Reward Systems for the Changing Workplace (McGraw Hill) and Rewards That Drive High Performance (AMACOM). He has written over 30 articles, book chapters and special features for Fortune Magazine, the Conference Board, Financial Times and Boards and Directors. He has been quoted in the Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, and the Boston Business Journal.

Prior to forming Wilson Group, Tom was the National Director of Rewards for Aubrey Daniels & Associates; Partner and General Manager of New England for Hay Group, Inc.; and Director of Organizational Consulting for the Forum Corporation. He holds a Master’s degree from Vanderbilt Owen School of Management and Bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University.

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Susan Malanowski

Managing Director/Principal

Susan brings over 25 years in consulting and leadership positions in compensation and human resources to her clients. Susan advises boards of directors, executives and leaders in sales, human resources and compensation functions on the strategic application of total reward programs. She works with a broad range of public, private and non-profit clients in technology, industrial, and service sectors throughout the country in the assessment, design and implementation of sales, executive and employee compensation programs.

Prior to consulting, Susan worked in leadership positions at General Cinema Theatres, Aetna Inc., Barclays Business Credit and Community Newspaper Company. She has co-authored and published several publications with other members of Wilson Group. Susan earned her master’s degree in labor and industrial relations from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Ithaca College. Susan is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) and a Global Remuneration Professional (GRP) through WorldatWork and a member of the New England Compensation Consortium and the Milwaukee Area Compensation Association. Susan was an Adjunct Faculty member in Human Resources at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

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Rhonda Farrington

Managing Director/Principal

Rhonda has over 25 years of human resources experience in both consulting and human resource management roles working with small and mid-sized organizations. She has an extensive background in designing salary structures, performance incentive and sales compensation plans, as well as the assessment of executive and director compensation for private companies. Her strengths include salary structure development, incentive plan design, and performance management programs that focus on driving the business strategy of the organization. Rhonda has worked with private and public companies and organizations in the technology, professional services, insurance, consumer products, healthcare, and utilities industries, designing and implementing programs that strengthen the foundation of the business.

Rhonda earned her Master’s degree from Springfield College and Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire. She has co-authored numerous surveys and publications while at Wilson Group. She is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) through WorldatWork, a member of the Board of Directors for the New England Compensation Consortium, and former president of the New Hampshire Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development (now known as the Association for Talent Development). Prior to consulting, Rhonda’s human resource management experience included partnering with senior management to handle company restructuring/reorganization, compensation and benefit program management, and training design and implementation.

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Jean Riley

Senior Consultant

Jean Riley has over 25 years of experience in compensation design and human resources management. She has held leadership positions in several organizations and has provided consulting services to various types of organizations including, financial services, non-profit, retail and technology companies. Most recently, Jean was the Vice President of Compensation at Santander Bank overseeing executive and staff compensation programs for approximately 10,000 employees. Prior to this, Jean worked for McLagan where she managed the compensation consulting practice for banking clients in the Northeast.

Jean earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Fitchburg State University. Jean is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), through WorldatWork and a member of the New England Compensation Consortium.

Valerie Zwerko

Consultant

Valerie has over 30 years’ experience in compensation design and management. She has held leadership positions in international organizations including financial services and hospitality. Most recently, Valerie was the Vice President and Principal Consultant to the Asset Servicing business at BNY Mellon managing all compensation programs for the business. Prior to this, Valerie was the Director of Sales Compensation for CIT designing the worldwide global sales and incentive compensation strategies and managing the development of the Company’s sales plans. Prior leadership positions include directing the Compensation function for the America’s region of InterContinental Hotels Group and as Head of Compensation for SunTrust Banks.

Valerie earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and History from Cedar Crest College and is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Institute Program. She is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) through WorldatWork.

Chelsea Martens

Consultant

Chelsea has over 15 years of experience developing and managing various types of compensation programs. Including job architecture design and implementation, sales incentive plan designs, base pay, short and long-term cash incentive, and equity plans.

Her industry experience includes telecommunications, local government, high-tech, and manufacturing. In each location, she was charged with advising local management teams of all kinds, Executive C Suite leadership, Board of Directors, Compensation Committees, and City Council.

Chelsea holds her Bachelor’s in Business Management, with a minor in Economics, from the University of Northern Colorado.

Charlene Lindsay

Consultant

Charlene Lindsay has over 15 years’ experience in Compensation with a focus in banking, retail, healthcare, and not-for-profit organizations. She began her career in Counseling and quickly realized that Human Resources was where her true passion was. Charlene has led teams in job architecture initiatives, variable compensation plan development, salary structure designs, equity reviews, and implemented compensation programs and systems across many industries. Mrs. Lindsay also conducts training workshops covering change management and various compensation topics, including performance management, pay equity, and FLSA classifications.

Since leaving her leadership role in Corporate America, Charlene has moved into the consulting arena, where she supports organizations with executive compensation, pay equity reviews, DEI initiatives, benchmarking, and other compensation related items.

Charlene graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences from Florida State University and maintains the designation of Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

Lisa Nivison

Operations Manager/Compensation Analyst

Lisa has 16 years’ experience in professional services firms in coordinating project activities, facilitating communications and providing a high level of service and quality to clients. Lisa’s expertise includes collecting and analyzing client and external market data and preparing customized compensation and employee engagement surveys. In her role at Wilson Group, Lisa manages internal operations, administrative services and website, and provides analytical support in the assessment and design of client employee and executive compensation programs.

Lisa is a member of WorldatWork and the New England Compensation Consortium. She previously worked for Sherbrooke Partners, Cartier and Zale Corporation. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Winnie Skeates

Consultant

Winnie has thirty years of experience in the design, analysis and implementation of compensation and benefits programs, including conducting customized surveys for specific client needs. She has held leadership and internal consulting roles with Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene, Millipore, National Grange Mutual Insurance Company, Nashua Corporation, GenRad, and Olney Associates (part of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.).

She earned a master’s degree from Harvard University, a bachelor’s degree from Bates College, and a certificate in Pension and Benefits Administration from Bentley University. She is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) through WorldatWork, a founding member of the New England Compensation Consortium, former President of the Greater Monadnock Society for Human Resource Management, and a member of the Society for Human Resources Management.

John Malanowski

Consultant

John Malanowski is an executive coach and broad-based human resource consultant. He has experience as a global Chief People Officer in early-stage start-up companies to accelerate operational performance and organizational effectiveness. He is an expert in the areas of organizational design, strategy development and implementation, and sustainable transformational leadership. He brings practical, hands-on experience into a variety of organizational settings and industries with a talent for listening and hearing the real issues that are at play in an organization. With the increasing prevalence of CEO turnover, John brings together compensation, executive search and development resources to enable Boards of Directors to strategically plan for, fill and develop future Chief Executive Officers.

During a career spanning over 40 years, he has had diverse experience implementing performance driven business and human capital strategies and solutions for private equity and founder led firms as well as large public and private fortune 100 corporations in healthcare, technology, government contractors, consumer products, insurance and utilities. He is highly valued for his insights into situations and is frequently sought out for his ability to frame solutions to complex problems, inspire and motivate clients to address them, and advise and coach on implementation.

In addition to human resources consulting, he also specializes in providing interim CHRO/CXO services to fast growing early-stage private companies helping to accelerate the build out of operating and talent infrastructures. He also supports a number of clients through focused performance based executive coaching interventions designed to create high performance cultures that deliver practical, measurable results.

John holds a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University School and a Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.

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