Vice Chancellor Clare Shinnerl of Finance, Operations and Administration this week announced the selection of Tammy Kenber as chief human resources officer, leading HR for the Davis campus and UC Davis Health.

PEOPLE PERSON

• “It’s in my DNA to focus on people,” Tammy Kenber says in profile posted on the HR website.

Kenber is coming to UC Davis from the California State University Office of the Chancellor, where she has served since 2019 as the associate vice chancellor for HR in the 23-campus system. Before that she was the associate vice president for HR at Sonoma State University, after first working in higher education HR as a manager for the Sierra Joint Community College District.

She also has held HR leadership positions in health care, government and high tech in the greater Sacramento region.

“Tammy has extensive experience leading HR on behalf of large and complex California organizations and understands the complexities of the California labor market and employment policies,” Shinnerl said in her announcement. “Tammy also has roots in the region, having worked in Sacramento, Rocklin and Pleasanton for many years.

First day: Dec. 5

Shinnerl said Kenber’s appointment came after a comprehensive national search that drew an exceptional pool of candidates. Her first day on the job will be Dec. 5, succeeding Christine Lovely, who had been chief human resources officer since 2018 and left to become vice president and chief human resources officer at Cornell University, effective Aug. 30.

Kenber holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in human resources/organizational development from Drexel University. She has earned green-belt status in Lean Six Sigma/6S (process improvement strategy) and numerous other professional certifications, including  change management, senior human resources professional and interest-based bargaining.

She has served on the boards of directors of two professional associations: the Northern California chapter of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, and the California State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management.

“As CHRO for UC Davis, I get to support two different spaces for which I have a strong affinity: a medical center that’s transforming health care and a vibrant, diverse college campus,” Kenber said in a profile posted to the HR website.

“I’m excited to make an impact at UCD, from how effective people feel at work to their satisfaction with HR services to overall engagement with the institution.”