Wendy Harkness

Biography

Wendy Harkness is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Advantage Waypoint LLC (AWP). Harkness leads the company’s people strategy, learning, and development initiatives, communications, corporate administration and compliance programs. She is an industry veteran with over two decades in foodservice, making her a strategic asset in her role on the Company’s executive team. Formerly the Chief People Officer and Chief Legal Officer at NRD Holdings, a multi-state, multi-brand franchise company, Harkness has significant industry experience. Throughout her career, she’s partnered with top foodservice brands including Popeye’s, Domino’s, Checkers/Rally’s, Moe’s, Subway and many more to elevate HR’s value and impact the bottom line. A recognized employee relations expert and a top HR professional, Harkness leverages her legal and business knowledge with a hands-on approach to drive business results.Deeply engaged in her profession, Harkness is a frequent speaker at industry, association, and legal conferences. She has published several articles and has been a featured author in HR/Legal publications. She earned her Juris Doctorate degree with a certification in Advocacy from Stetson University College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from St. Leo University. She was formerly a private practice attorney and gained valuable legal experience through her trial work for the Florida state prosecutor’s office and the Second District Court of Appeals. She has also served on several professional/association boards in various capacities including former President of the Chain Restaurant Compensation Association, Steering Committee Chair for the Organizational Readiness Committee for the Women’s Foodservice Forum, and Board Member for the Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia.
 

Education

No information available.

Admissions/Licenses

• Bar Admissions: FL