The Office of Human Resources is combining the functions of talent acquisition and organizational development & learning under a new talent management leadership structure, effective July 1.

“Moving the talent development function under the same leadership umbrella as talent acquisition will allow for a similar data-driven focus to talent development that has worked well in talent acquisition,” a Human Resources spokesman said.

The move includes promoting Lisa Garland, currently talent acquisition director, to the new position of senior director of talent management.

“New leadership always brings new ideas, and we will be looking for creative approaches to employee development that can help improve retention,” the spokesman said.

The new talent management leadership structure “will support the entire Pitt employee lifecycle, from sourcing and hiring, through onboarding, development, career growth and succession,” Vice Chancellor for Human Resources James Gallaher Jr. said in an announcement on June 15.

While talent acquisition has focused on hiring, organizational development offers strategic planning and consultation for University community clients as well as learning and development programs, like the Faculty and Staff Development Program.

Also included in the restructuring, the compensation and compliance teams will now report directly to Gallaher, after the July retirement of Assistant Vice Chancellor for Consulting Services Mark Burdsall. Shanel Divito, director of strategic initiatives, and Aynsley Jimenez, assistant director of compliance, will take over as co-leaders of the HR Partner program.

There were no job losses because of the restructuring, but there has been no decision made yet on filling Burdsall’s position.

Garland has been at Pitt for 10 years and has served as director of talent acquisition since 2019. In May, she was recognized by the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association as Leader of the Year and her team received the Best in Talent Recruitment & Acquisition award. She has a master of studies in law with a specialization in human resources from Pitt Law and an MBA from Point Park University.

“It is our goal to create a more integrated connection between hiring and talent development to improve retention and create an employee experience reflecting Pitt’s commitment to being an employer of choice. This is tied to our Plan for Pitt 2028 pillar of being Welcoming and Engaging and ensuring every member of the Pitt community has a meaningful opportunity to grow and thrive,” Gallaher said.

“Talent acquisition and organizational development are two sides of the same coin, connecting how we find exceptional people with how we develop and invest in them. I'm excited to serve our Pitt community in this expanded capacity,” Garland said.

— Susan Jones

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