Elizabeth Robertson Named First Chief People Officer
The new “People Team” unites all team-focused functions, including Human Resources, Operations, Clinical Services and Engagement.
For four decades, the Center for Work Education and Employment (CWEE) has honed our expertise supporting career seekers to overcome obstacles, gain new skills, build confidence, and start great careers.
Following the extraordinary challenges of the past few years, CWEE recognized the need to invest even more in our “People” functions to support current and future team members to start and grow fulfilling careers at CWEE.
“People matter most in any business and people are central to all we do at CWEE. The past few years underscored what we already knew and taught us valuable new lessons about what is needed to support the well-being of our team as the nature of work rapidly changes,” said Katy Hamilton, CEO.
That’s why CWEE created a new executive leadership role, Chief People Officer, to serve as the throughline that connects staff retention, performance, and wellness to participant outcomes and ensure CWEE is positioned as a workforce organization committed to the well-being and learning of both current and future employees.
Following a rigorous search and interview process, we are delighted to announce that Elizabeth Robertson has been named CWEE’s first-ever Chief People Officer. Elizabeth will lead CWEE’s new People Team, which unites Human Resources, Operations, Clinical Services and Engagement.
“Elizabeth embodies our organizational values including integrity and innovation. Throughout her tenure at CWEE, she has demonstrated her willingness to meet any challenge. She is a thoughtful, collaborative and compassionate leader who is beloved by the CWEE team and 110% committed to the mission,” said Susan Hill, chair of CWEE’s Board of Directors.
As CPO, Elizabeth plays a key role in setting CWEE’s long-term vision and priorities, particularly as it relates to talent acquisition, retention, and pipelines. Elizabeth has been with CWEE since 2013 and has served in different roles that give her deep insight into both the staff and participant experience at CWEE.
While traditional HR strategies focus on building systems to attract and retain talent, people strategies focus on building relationships between organizations and employees. As CPO, Elizabeth will:
- Champion CWEE as a learning organization and ensure though data and evaluation that related initiatives and investments are making an impact
- Regularly assess and enhance activities that center diversity, equity, and belonging across the organization
- Lead all HR activities, including overseeing recruitment and talent acquisition; employee life cycle; compensation, benefits; organizational design; staffing, compliance, and risk management
“With unparalleled compassion, commitment to the mission, and with the full trust of our staff, Elizabeth is uniquely capable of helping CWEE expand our impact as an employer, continuing to serve as a place where professionals learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the field of workforce development, poverty alleviation, and economic mobility,” Katy Hamilton said.
The members of CWEE’s new People Team include:
- Elizabeth Robertson, Chief People Officer
- Anna Tekippe, Clinician
- Kate Redweik, Engagement Manager
- Michael Berlin, Director of Operations
- Jennifer Galvez, Human Resources Specialist
Before joining CWEE, Elizabeth worked in both nonprofit and higher education with a focus on career development and educational access. She believes deeply in the notion that when an appropriate level of education and support is provided, individuals can and will succeed. Elizabeth is actively in certification to become a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) through the Co-Active Training Institute.