Liberty Mutual names first ever chief people officer

Insurance company Liberty Mutual has announced two changes in its C-suite after promoting Melanie Foley to Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer, and then naming Jen Ughetta as its first ever Chief People Officer.

In an announcement, chief executive officer David Long said that Foley's appointment will be effective in July, where she will report to Tim Sweeney, who was recently appointed CEO effective January 2023.

"Melanie's strong, accomplished leadership continues to be integral in creating a workplace culture where all our global employees can be themselves, grow and learn," said Long in a statement. "She values inclusion, transparency and equity, and challenges the status quo to make things better for our employees and ultimately our customers."

Foley is the incumbent Executive Vice President and Chief Talent and Enterprise Services Officer of Liberty Mutual, where she is set to oversee the organisation's corporate administration departments as well as community and philanthropic investments.

Under her new position, she will also retain her current responsibilities, including leading the company's talent, procurement, brand and communications, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), sustainability, real estate, and workplace services functions.

Foley's leadership brought Liberty Mutual numerous awards for its focus on DEI, philanthropy, and the work environment. The organisation was also recognised as "Companies that Care" by PEOPLE, a "Top Employer" by Equal Opportunity Magazine, and by the Great Place to Work U.S.

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Ughetta as new chief people officer

Alongside Foley's promotion, Liberty Mutual is also making a milestone by appointing Jen Ughetta as its first chief people officer, effective July 2022.

Ughetta will oversee all talent-focused teams across the organisation, including talent acquisition, total rewards, employee relations, leadership learning and talent, and the business-embedded talent advisor communities, among other areas.

In her new role, Ughetta will continue reporting to Foley, who expressed confidence that she will continue making an impact in her new position.

"Jen is a proven leader dedicated to upholding our identity and values and empowering employees to bring their full selves to the workplace," said Foley.

"I'm confident she will continue making an important impact on our company in her new position as we further establish Liberty Mutual as an employer of choice in the marketplace."

Ughetta joined the organisation in 2018, and previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Talent Officer of Global Retail Markets. Before this, she spent two decades at the Munich Reinsurance in various human resources roles.