Client Services

Sharon Brooks
Director of Client Services

Sharon has been with the Research Foundation since November of 2000. She was instrumental in the creation of the department of Client Services and its processes and procedures. She is responsible for overseeing that department which is charged with the day to day aspects of employee relations, including training, payroll and benefits. Sharon has worked closely with our IT department in the design and implementation of the Research Foundation’s electronic employee-related systems. Prior to joining the Research Foundation, Sharon was the Director of Human Resources for the Building Service Union, a self-insured entity covering approximately 80,000 members and their dependents, in a 23 story building housing a medical center, dental center, claims departments, legal fund and pension department. She was hired by the union in 1985 to create their Legal Services Fund and was thereafter promoted to Director of Human Resources where she created its first HR department. Sharon has also worked as a Para-Legal and Law Assistant in various law firms; and was a staff writer and editor of a national news magazine. She received a BA in psychology from Brooklyn College, CUNY and is a New York State Certified Paralegal.

Esther Couret
Assistant Director, Client Services

Esther supervises a team of dedicated human resource and payroll staff in administering all aspects of personnel services and procedures under the domain of the Office of Client Services. She serves as the primary client contact for all personnel matters such as payroll, benefits, and employee relations. Esther joined the Research Foundation in 2001 as a team leader and client services representative, charged with regularly supporting over 300 program directors and 2000 employees. She brought with her over 8 years of recruitment and employee relations experience, serving the nonprofit, educational and medical arenas. Since starting with the RF, she has also taken on the role of client trainer and technical liaison to the IT department. Esther received her BBA degree in Human Resources Management, with a minor in Economics from Baruch College, CUNY.