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December 9, 2024
Pamela S. Beemer, Northwestern University's vice president and chief human resource officer, has announced her plans to step down from her role effective Aug. 31, 2019, and retire from the University.
"We are grateful for the many contributions Pam has made to Northwestern over the last 12 years," said Craig Johnson, senior vice president for business and finance. "Under her leadership, Human Resources has become even more of a strategic business partner with our schools and units, helping to improve the University's position as a great place to work and learn. Northwestern will miss her expert counsel and deep experience."
Beemer joined Northwestern in 2007 to lead Human Resources as the associate vice president and was elevated to vice president and chief human resource officer in 2014. She has provided strategic oversight and leadership in all areas of human resources, including talent acquisition, HR business partnering, employee and labor relations, compensation, rewards and recognition, HR operations, reporting and analytics, payroll and tax, learning and organization development, benefits, work/life and family resources, as well as certain integrated services with Northwestern Medicine. In addition, Beemer has co-led the Office of Conflict of Interest and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.
Throughout her time at Northwestern, Beemer distinguished herself as a compassionate University leader committed to positive staff relations, and she is recognized as an effective consensus-builder and collaborator. She worked to increase staff engagement across all campuses, and along the way became a valued advisor to not only leaders across the University but to individuals at all levels.
In partnership with Northwestern in Qatar leaders, Beemer developed HR policies, programs and practices during the campus' early years and continued to be a strategic HR advisor in subsequent years.
In addition, other accomplishments include leadership in the ongoing positive transformation of Human Resources, retirement and other benefit program enhancements, improvements in child care access and subsidies, significant investment in leadership and professional development programs and initiatives, and enhanced service delivery in all aspects of HR. She continued to emphasize building HR capacity and capability and redesigning cost-effective and efficient operations to align with Northwestern's strategic priorities.
"I take pride in the dedication and accomplishments of the Human Resources team," Beemer said. "The partnerships I've formed with many colleagues at Northwestern and across the nation, and the collaboration that I've enjoyed while here, have enabled me to leave Northwestern in a better place. I know my successor will have an amazing opportunity to continue to build a strong Human Resources organization to effectively lead and serve Northwestern in the years ahead.
"I have continuing professional and personal interests that will keep me fully engaged in this next step of my life's journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served Northwestern in partnership with so many colleagues during this period of dramatic growth, global aspirations and the many remarkable accomplishments of this great University."
