Jim Gounelas, JD, is a distinguished and strategic HR leader, currently serving as Vice President, Human Resources at Northwell Health, LIJ Forest Hills Hospital. In this pivotal role, Jim leads the entire HR function for the 300-bed community hospital and is a key member of the senior executive leadership team, responsible for developing and implementing critical HR strategies in collaboration with the hospital President.
With a career deeply rooted in human capital management, labor relations, and legal expertise, Jim brings a uniquely comprehensive perspective to the complexities of modern HR. His journey at Northwell Health includes instrumental roles as Director of Human Resources at North Shore University Hospital, and Corporate Director within the Advice & Counsel Center (ACC), where he was central to its launch and managed its day-to-day operations, providing centralized employee relations advice, conducting complex investigations, and delivering training across the organization. Earlier, he provided vital
labor and employee relations support, including collective bargaining agreement interpretation and disciplinary matters.
Before his impactful tenure at Northwell, Jim honed his formidable labor relations expertise as Deputy Director and Supervising Attorney at the New York City Department of Education. There, he managed a team of attorneys, directed daily labor relations activities, led collective bargaining negotiations, and advised on strategic policies with various municipal unions, including the United Federation of Teachers. His extensive legal background also includes a decade in private practice, serving as labor counsel for school districts and handling a wide array of litigation.
Further demonstrating his commitment to advancing the profession, Jim is an Assistant Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University, teaching a graduate-level course on healthcare HR within the Masters in Healthcare Administration program. He holds a Juris Doctor (Magna Cum Laude) from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stony Brook University.
As a speaker, Jim Gounelas is renowned for his insightful, practical, and engaging presentations. He seamlessly blends his deep legal understanding with executive-level HR strategy, offering actionable guidance on navigating complex labor relations, shaping resilient workplace cultures, and optimizing human capital within dynamic environments like healthcare. Attendees can expect data-driven perspectives and real world solutions to their most pressing HR challenges.
