Gail McKee
2711 36th Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
206 399 3819 – C
703 258 7824 - W
gail.mckee@towerswatson.com
Gail McKee has held senior operational and staff roles at Towers Watson for over 20 years, leading
change through strategy development, an IPO, CEO/leadership succession, and a successful merger
of equals. Currently she is the Chief Human Resources Officer for the company, a leading global
consulting firm that helps large employers manage their human capital, risk, and benefit programs.
During her tenure with predecessor company Watson Wyatt Gail was an inside director when the
company changed CEO’s, completed a strategy study, and conducted a successful IPO. When
Watson Wyatt merged with Towers Perrin in 2010, Gail was elected to the Board as an inside
director for one year. During that time she also merged the operations of the Pacific Northwest
consulting units. In January 2011, she became CHRO, completing the back-office synergy work
required by the merger.
Gail has held a variety of client- and market-facing roles before becoming CHRO in January 2011.
As market leader in both Southern California and the Pacific Northwest, she focused on client and
employee development to produce strong growth and expansion of large accounts. Her reputation
with employee development and her business orientation led to the opportunity to become Chief
HR Officer one year after the Towers Watson merger.
From 2002 until December 2010, Gail was the market leader in the Pacific Northwest for Watson
Wyatt and then selected to retain that role after the merger that created Towers Watson. In
addition to developing teams, expanding client relationships and handling merger integration
activities, during her tenure she enhanced connections with the marketplace through active
engagement with business leaders in the region and nationally:
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Three year term on the Advisory Board of the College of Business at Central Washington
University.
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Founding President and two-year Board term with the HR Strategic Forum, a newly created
Affiliate of the global HR Planning Society.
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Four year term on the Board of Trustees of the Council on Employee Benefits, a national
organization comprised of senior benefits professionals from large public employers.
Prior to joining The Wyatt Company (predecessor to Watson Wyatt), Gail held worked for a large
entertainment company overseeing international compensation and benefit programs. She started
her career in New York, where she joined Hewitt Associates (predecessor to AON Hewitt) and
became an account manager in New York and Los Angeles.
Gail is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and has completed the NACD
Director Professionalism course. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Washington and
completed The Management Program at the same institution. She recently completed the
inaugural Fellowship of George Washington University’s On the Board program, a one-year course
intended to prepare senior women to become Board directors.
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Gail McKee
2711 36th Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
206 399 3819 – C
703 258 7824 - W
gail.mckee@towerswatson.com
Objective: To expand my Board experience with a human capital or M&A Integration seat as
an independent director.
Employment:
Towers Watson (and predecessor companies,
The Wyatt Company, Watson Wyatt)
1992 to Present
Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
Towers Watson is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve
performance through effective people, risk and financial management. With 14,000 associates
around the world, we offer solutions in the areas of employee benefits, talent management,
rewards, and risk and capital management.
Chief Human Resources Officer
2010 to Present
Global leader of human resources function, comprised of 250 employees and a budget of $45
million
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Named to CHRO role after 18 years at Towers Watson and predecessors in consulting and
market leadership roles
Managed transformation of integrated human resources model for Towers Watson,
projected to realize $10 million in synergy savings
Oversee delivery of talent management, compensation, and recruitment programs
contributing to revenue growth and increased profitability
Support CEO and direct reports as needed to fulfill business requirements (e.g., goal
alignment, executive compensation, M&A analysis, key talent issues, etc.)
Work directly with the Compensation and Nominating & Governance Committees on
strategic matters related to the executives of the Company
Managing Consultant, Pacific Northwest
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2002 to 2010
Elected to Towers Watson Board as one of two non-executive inside directors to provide
insight and governance during integration, effective January 2010
Led integration of Northwest consulting operations of Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt
upon the January 2010 merger of the two industry-leading consulting companies, achieving
over 16% growth year over year of $35 million+ operation
Grew Watson Wyatt market share and revenue through focus on large client management
and leadership alignment
Enhanced Watson Wyatt visibility in local and national industry groups (Human Resources
Planning Society, Pacific Northwest HR Strategic Forum, Council on Employee Benefits)
Additional Concurrent Role: Global Head, Associate Development
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2006 to 2010
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Developed and led global team of line leaders and Human Resources professionals to create
and implement Watson Wyatt strategy for talent development and performance
management
Account Manager, Pacific Northwest
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2001 to 2002
Assumed responsibility for major accounts (Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft) after move from
Los Angeles to Seattle, growing relationships and revenues
Completed Board term for Watson Wyatt
Managing Consultant, Southern California
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1998 to 2001
Led turnaround of $30M operation by creating cohesive leadership team and strong focus
on sales management, resulting in market growth and improved associate morale/manager
capabilities.
Elected as an internal director to the Board of Directors for Watson Wyatt in late 1997,
participating in CEO selection and IPO decision-making.
Prior roles with The Wyatt Company/Watson Wyatt included:
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West Region Director of Account Management
Project Director, Wellspring Resources (outsourcing operation)
Account Manager, Southern California
The Walt Disney Company
1989 – 1992
Leading global entertainment and merchandising company, with operations in the film, home video,
consumer products, retail, and theme park businesses.
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Manager, International Compensation & Benefits
Manager, Retirement & Stock Programs
Hewitt Associates (now Aon Hewitt)
1982 – 1992
Top tier consultant and administration service provider in compensation and benefits, working
with large employers to achieve attraction, retention, and cost goals.
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Account manager, New York and Los Angeles markets
Board Service
Towers Watson
2010
Elected as one of two internal executive directors at the point of the merger. Stepped down
February 2011 due to assignment as Chief HR Officer.
Watson Wyatt
1997 to 2001
Elected as internal director for three-year term. Participated in selection of CEO as well as decision
to go public.
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Council on Employee Benefits
2007 to 2011
Member of Board of Trustees for this national non-profit representing the interests of over 200
large employers across the United States and Canada.
Pacific Northwest Human Resources Strategic Forum
2004 to 2007
Founding president of local affiliate of the Human Resources Planning Society (now Human
Resources Planning and Strategy), a national organization, from 2004 through 2005. Remained on
the Board through 2007.
Central Washington University
School of Business Advisory Board
2003 to 2007
Participated in Advisory Board and led sub-committee to design incentives to change professor
behaviors through research awards
Education
National Association of Corporate Directors
Director Professionalism Program
(Certification Program)
April 2014
George Washington University
Washington, DC
On the Board (Executive Education Program)
February 2013-November 2013
2013
National Association of Corporate Directors
Director Professionalism Program
(Certification Program)
March 2010
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
The Management Program (Executive Education program)
2006
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Bachelor of Arts, English
1981
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