Katherine Moore
Katherine Moore is a human resources and benefits professional with extensive experience across higher education, manufacturing, and organizational benefits administration. She currently serves as Director of Benefits & Retirement Administration at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, where she leads the design and delivery of employee benefits, retirement counseling, leave management, and wellness support programs. Known for her approachable leadership style, she focuses on helping employees understand and navigate complex systems such as insurance claims, retirement transitions, and FMLA processes with clarity and confidence.
Throughout her career, Katherine has built a strong foundation in benefits strategy and employee wellness. Prior to her current role, she spent several years at the University of Arkansas supporting benefits administration, wellness initiatives, and retirement services, gaining deep expertise in higher education HR operations. Earlier in her career in the food production industry, she helped develop and implement multi-state wellness programs that encouraged employee participation in fitness initiatives, including couch-to-5K programs and company-wide wellness challenges that contributed to improved health outcomes and cost savings in insurance premiums.
Katherine’s professional philosophy centers on empathy, guidance, and accessibility in HR services. She believes benefits administration should go beyond paperwork to become a supportive experience that helps employees feel secure during major life transitions, whether entering retirement or navigating medical leave. With SHRM certification and a background in both private industry and academia, she brings a balanced, people-focused approach to HR leadership, combining technical expertise with a commitment to employee well-being and organizational sustainability.
• SHRM Certified
• FMLA Certification Programs
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• William Carey University- M.B.A.
• William Carey University- B.S.
• William Carey University- B.A.
• Golden Tusk Award
• President's and Dean's List Scholar
• Who's Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities
• State and Local Government Benefits Association
• SHRM
• NOAR Chapter
• Certified Lay Speaker in Training for United Methodist Church
• Big Paws Animal Rescue Support
• Heritage United Methodist Church
• William Carey University
• Huntsville United Methodist Church
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to continuous learning and independent research through podcasts and audiobooks, a legal-analytical mindset shaped by growing up in a family of lawyers, and the practical, hands-on experience I’ve gained throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think it's important to remember that it's about a bigger picture in higher ed. It's about the change and the difference you're making in the lives of others who are trying to better themselves. Some days are harder than others, but at the end of the day, we are here to make a difference in the lives of the students that we're impacting. It's worth it to tough it out, even when some days seem harder than others.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field include managing rising health plan costs while maintaining stable insurance premiums through careful claims analysis, as well as staying current with the rapidly evolving legal landscape surrounding FMLA and employee leave regulations.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are empathy, making a tangible difference in others’ lives, and a commitment to community- and faith-based service.