HR Business Partner Team
Our heart is in the work—supporting our people and leaders at every stage.The HR Business Partner Team collaborates with colleges and departments across the university to drive organizational strategy, employee engagement and workforce excellence. From performance management and policy interpretation to conflict resolution, we provide trusted expertise and guidance throughout the entire employee lifecycle.
Whether navigating complex workplace challenges or planning for future growth, our team is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that supports both leaders and staff in achieving their goals.
Connect with the HR business partner dedicated to your specific unit:
Heidi Bachner, HR Business Partner II
Client Groups: College of Engineering (CIT): Rwanda, International Human Resources, Qatar (CMU-Q), Student Affairs (SA)
Learn More About Heidi
Heidi joined CMU in 2022. Her career spans nearly 20 years of experience in HR, including recruiting, employment-based immigration and employee relations.
Pittsburgh born and raised, she has had a lifelong fascination with world languages and cultures. She loves how her role allows her to collaborate across the entire organization and is energized by Carnegie Mellon's vibrant campus community. As a leader, Heidi values empathy and curiosity, seeking opportunities to advance organizational goals while promoting employee growth and well-being. An Andy Award nominee in the Teamwork and Collaboration category, she particularly enjoys working with cross-functional teams to improve processes and enhance the employee experience.
After studying German, business and international politics at Penn State University, Heidi earned her Master of Business Administration at Duquesne University. She has served in leadership roles within the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) and the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA) and is a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Outside of work, you can find Heidi rewatching "Mystery Science Theater 3000" with her husband, watching and playing sports with her kids, haunting the stacks of her local library and pondering where to plant more flowers in her yard.
Andrea Berestecky, HR Business Partner II
Client Groups: Investment Office (INV), Office of the President (PRES), Office of the Provost (PVST), University Communications & Marketing (UCM)
Learn More About Andrea
Andrea joined Carnegie Mellon University in March 2022 and has dedicated her career to mission-driven organizations, focusing on human resources in higher education and healthcare since 2012.
Prior to joining CMU, Andrea spent more than five years at Duquesne University as an Employee Relations Specialist, where she served as a trusted strategic partner and was recognized with an award for excellence in service. Earlier in her career at UPMC, she supported thousands of healthcare professionals, guiding complex employee relations matters, advancing workplace safety initiatives, and leading full-cycle recruitment across high-volume hospital and home health environments.
Andrea previously served as president of the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), supporting professional development and collaboration among HR professionals across the region. In 2023, Andrea graduated from the CMU Lead Program.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from Ohio University and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR).
Outside of work, Andrea enjoys gardening, planning her next beach vacation and spending time at home with her family.
Jessica Carson, HR Business Partner I
Client Groups: School of Computer Science (SCS), Dietrich College (DC)
Learn More About Jessica
Jessica joined Carnegie Mellon University in November 2021 as a senior recruiter and was promoted to HR business partner in 2023. With 15 years of comprehensive human resources experience in talent management, compliance, employee relations and organizational development, she brings valuable expertise to CMU’s Office of Human Resources. Her approach is fundamentally people-centered, focusing on building strong partnerships with client areas to proactively address complex workforce challenges and implement effective HR strategies.
Before her tenure at CMU, Jessica gained significant experience in corporate HR environments across various sectors, including nuclear energy, healthcare and technology. She now channels this diverse background into supporting the unique mission and strategic challenges of higher education.
Jessica is a proud alumna of the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications and rhetoric. She is actively involved in the CMU and local HR communities, holding memberships with the Carnegie Mellon Women’s Association, College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) and the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA).
In her free time, she enjoys traveling and embarking on new adventures with her husband and their two young children, Miles and Cameron.
Andrew Clawson, HR Business Partner II
Client Groups: Heinz College (HNZ), Mellon College of Science (MCS)
Learn More About Andrew
Andrew has nearly two decades of human resources experience. He excels in driving organizational excellence by proactively addressing business needs and guiding teams and individuals into the future. His extensive background in employee relations, benefits and compensation, investigations and overall human resource management complements his proven track record of success in both corporate and educational settings.
He joined CMU in 2024, bringing a fresh perspective while adhering to the university's core values. Previously, Andrew held several critical roles at UPMC and UPMC Health Plan for more than a decade, where he integrated more than 15,000 new employees. Before that, he worked with one of the nation’s premier freight railroads in a similar capacity.
Andrew earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Pennsylvania State University. He also holds two degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania: a Master of Arts in Labor and Industrial Relations and a Master of Business Administration.
Andrew resides in Mars, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching his son’s sports teams and holds out hope that the Pittsburgh Pirates will eventually win a World Series.
Rachel Dolcich, HR Business Partner II
Client Groups: Facilities, Infrastructure and Risk Management (FIRM)
Learn More About Rachel
Rachel serves as a human resources business partner at Carnegie Mellon University, where she brings a creative and empathetic lens to her work, drawing on her background in the arts and as a Teach for America corps member to find new ways to tackle challenges.
Since joining the university in 2012, Rachel has progressed through several key roles, including staffing and development coordinator, manager for the vice president for operations and HR generalist. Through this journey, she cultivated deep expertise in employee relations, performance management, data management and organizational development.
A double alumna of Carnegie Mellon, she holds a Master of Public Management from Heinz College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts. Committed to staying at the forefront of the field, Rachel has maintained her Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification since 2020. She is also a certified facilitator for DDI programs and ELI Civil Treatment workshops, served on the Andy Awards Committee and participated in the inaugural CMULead cohort.
Beyond the office, Rachel finds fulfillment in spending time with her family, baking sweet treats and taking on landscape projects.
Gloria Gruber, Assistant VP of HR, People and Organizational Effectiveness
Client Groups: Office of Human Resources (OHR)
Learn More About Gloria
As a strategic leader, Gloria guides a team of HR business partners, HR generalists and talent acquisition professionals to advance organizational goals. She actively collaborates with campus leaders to proactively address human capital challenges. Her key initiatives include attracting and retaining top talent, fostering a positive and engaging employee experience, and guiding the organization through change to improve overall performance. She ensures compliance and consistency across a complex and decentralized environment by aligning HR strategies with the institution's mission.
She joined CMU in 2000, and throughout her tenure, she has held various roles including leading Temporary Employment Services, serving as an HR business partner, and director of HR for University Advancement.
Before joining CMU, Gloria served as manager of staffing solutions at Life'sWork of Western Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the quality of life for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing them with productive work opportunities, and as a personnel consultant at Liken Employment Services.
Gloria holds a Master of Public Management with a concentration in human resources from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in business and psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. A lifelong learner, she has earned numerous professional certifications, including Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Senior Professional in Human Resources certification (SPHR), and Conflict and Change Management certification.
Gloria lives in Zelienople with her husband, Ken. She cherishes spending time at the beach with her two children, Jessica and Matt, and her two grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing with a good book or putting together a challenging jigsaw puzzle.
Missy Hnatkovich, HR Business Partner II
Client Groups: College of Engineering (CIT), except Rwanda
Learn More About Missy
Missy has spent the majority of her career—spanning more than 20 years—in higher education, and she also possesses diverse experience in manufacturing, mass transportation, corporate retail and hotel environments.
She obtained her Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in human resources from California University of Pennsylvania (now PennWest). She also earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in labor and employment relations from Pennsylvania State University.
Outside of work, Missy enjoys photography, reading, gardening (and sometimes neglecting her garden) and spending time with her husband, Phil; her children, Ruby and Charlie; and their cat and dog, Mia and Lucia.
Keith Kapusta, HR Business Partner II
Client Groups: National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), Robotics Institute (ROB)
Learn More About Keith
A human resources professional with nearly 14 years of experience in HR leadership and strategy, Keith has served as a dedicated human resources business partner in the Office of Human Resources at Carnegie Mellon University since 2024.
He began his career as a staffing supervisor at Kelly Services before advancing to the University of Pittsburgh. There, he served as a business partner in roles such as HR project specialist and employee-labor relations specialist. During his tenure, he supported significant initiatives, including the design and implementation of human resources information systems and the management of organizational changes across multiple campuses.
He earned a Master of Science in public policy and management from the University of Pittsburgh and holds three Bachelor of Science degrees from Slippery Rock University in education, business administration, and occupational safety and environmental management. Keith possesses respected professional designations, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
Outside of work, Keith enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, relaxing and spending time at the gym and with his family.
Jennifer May, HR Business Partner II
Client Groups: Computing Services (CS), Finance Division (FIN), Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Learn More About Jennifer
Jennifer is a highly accomplished human resources business partner with more than 10 years of experience in strategic HR leadership, employee relations, talent engagement and organizational development. Currently, she serves as an HR business partner II, effectively utilizing data and feedback to drive HR initiatives. She is skilled in developing impactful training programs and fostering inclusive workplaces, with expertise covering the entire employee lifecycle.
Before her current role, she held significant HR leadership positions, including director of human resources at Oakmont Country Club, and gained valuable experience building an HR department from the ground up as manager of human resources at Verisma Systems Inc. Before her career in human resources, she was a kindergarten teacher for 11 years.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary and early childhood education and a Master of Professional Studies in human resources and employment relations, both from Penn State University. She is a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and a member of the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA).
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading and cheering for both Pittsburgh and Penn State sports teams.
Jaimie Sebeck, HR Business Partner II
Client Groups: College of Fine Arts (CFA), Cyert Center for Early Education (Cyert Center)
Learn More About Jaimie
Since joining CMU in 2021, with more than 15 years of experience, Jaimie brings an extensive background to the university, having previously supported employees and leaders at global organizations such as Chevron and Mylan (now Viatris). She specializes in navigating complex organizational challenges through talent management, employee relations and strategic development.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and human resources management from California University of Pennsylvania and a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from HR Certification Institute (HRCI).
A graduate of the CMULead program, Jaimie is a dedicated advocate for lifelong learning. She remains active in the professional community through the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) and the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA). With passions for process improvement and engagement, she is a collaborative partner with the Office of Human Resources Engagement Committee and various flex teams.
Outside of work, Jaimie embraces her roles as a volleyball and dance mom and a farm wife. She finds peace outdoors, taking nature walks with her Labrador Retriever, Ellie.
Nancy Snyder, Senior HR Business Partner
Client Groups: Tepper School of Business (TSB), University Advancement (UA), University Libraries, Entertainment Technology Center, Integrated Design, Arts and Technology, Sustainability, Hunt Institute, CMU Press (UEIS)
Learn More About Nancy
Nancy joined Carnegie Mellon University in June 2017. As a senior HR business partner, she serves as a strategic advisor to her colleges and divisions, aligning HR initiatives with organizational goals. She works closely with team members at all levels to understand their unique challenges and provide solutions focused on maintaining a positive, productive work environment.
A Penn State alumna, Nancy began her career as a Spanish and ESL teacher—a foundation that sparked her lifelong interest in development and learning. Her professional journey later took her to Seattle, where she spent several years in the high-tech sector, including a significant tenure in talent acquisition and HR at Microsoft.
Since returning to the Pittsburgh area to join CMU, Nancy has supported various departments, gaining a unique, university-wide perspective. She maintains dual professional certifications as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and is also a CMULead graduate.
Outside of work, Nancy stays active through volunteering and fitness. Whether at the gym, on her bike or on the trampoline, she likes to be moving. She also enjoys unwinding with a good book and spending quality time with her dogs, friends and family.