Originally attending college on a computer science scholarship, Syretta C. Bowie, CCP, now works with relocation companies trying to move people all across the world as the vice president of executive compensation, global mobility and workforce analytics at RR Donnelley in Warrenville, Illinois, since 2018. Her company has people who move from country to country and there has to be someone that coordinates their moves, but also makes sure all their taxes are paid. She also looks at all HR data and interprets to give the business information to give the business strategy. Additionally, Ms. Bowie is responsible not just for base compensation, but the incentive compensation and any long-term incentive compensation. Through these tasks, she works very closely with the board of directors. Right now, they are at about $7 billion in revenue, but she wants to be at a $20-25 billion company.
Prior to this post, Ms. Bowie began her professional career as the manager II of compensation for Zimmer Inc., in Warsaw, Indiana, in 2001, remaining in this role for three years before serving as senior manager of compensation at Hillshire Brands of the Sara Lee Corp. in Downers Grove, Illinois, from 2005 to 2007. She then directed the international compensation and benefits section of Office Depot, Inc., in Boca Raton, Florida, from 2007 to 2011 and the compensation and benefits section of Carnival Cruise Lines in Miami from 2011 to 2013. Likewise, Ms. Bowie was the senior director of compensation, HR systems and analytics for MEDNAX Health Solution Partners in Sunrise, Florida, from 2013 to 2018.
Before the start of her illustrious career, Ms. Bowie pursued a formal education at Elmhurst College in Illinois, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in interdepartmental communications in 1998 and Master of Arts in industrial organizational psychology in 2011. In addition, she became a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and certified in executive compensation by World@Work in 2004. Since graduating with these academic honors, Ms. Bowie has spent much time volunteering for the food pantry Loaves Fishes.
Setting the strategy for total compensation, Ms. Bowie’s specialty is with design and implementation of variable comp programs inclusive of STI, LTI and base pay ensuring current SOX and SEC compliance. She is an expert at balancing a global strategy with allowing for differences among local country market practices and regulations in the environment of continually changing global economies. Outside of her primary trade, Ms. Bowie has been affiliated with numerous related organizations throughout her career. She has maintained involvement with the Society for Human Resource Management, World@Work and the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, and was previously active with Psi Chi.
Ms. Bowie’s strengths lie in her vision, leadership and clear expectations. She proactively works with members on her team to improve their skill set and knowledge base in order to help them grow. Her vision is something she is constantly striving to attain, and she does this with a well thought out plan and exhibits patience when she encounters setbacks. One of her best qualities is her leadership. Ms. Bowie is a natural motivator and will allow you to take the reins on major projects and processes.
