Staff Highlight: HR Business Partners

CMU's human resources business partners (HRBPs) assist their designated college and administrative units with issues related to hiring, benefits, compliance and employee relations. Their duties include:

• Helping client groups develop an HR strategy/people agenda
• Providing leadership for employee relations, performance management, employee engagement, organization design and development, policy interpretation and workforce planning
• Assisting with recruitment, compensation and other key HR processes and providing a seamless experience to CMU employees for all HR activities.

Introducing the Team

• Heidi Bachner
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: I love having the opportunity to work on challenging, impactful work with dedicated, creative people across the CMU community in Pittsburgh, Doha and Kigali. Working on cross-functional team projects is especially fun — it feels like putting together a giant puzzle.
  • Fun fact: My yard is a Certified Backyard Habitat through the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. (Yes, there is an official plaque and yes, I'm obsessed with it!) My favorite birds to see in my garden are the ruby-throated hummingbirds that visit the scarlet bee balm near my front door and the goldfinches that eat seeds from purple coneflowers and brown-eyed susans.
• Andrea Berestecky
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: I appreciate the wide range of professional development opportunities available at CMU. There's always something new to learn and great chances to connect with colleagues from across campus.
  • Fun fact: I enjoy gardening. This summer I plan to purchase a raised garden bed to grow vegetables and dahlias. It's a great way to relax and involve my 3-year-old twins in something we can do together.
• Jessica Carson
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: I value the continuous learning environment here. The opportunity to learn something new every day keeps me engaged and challenged. I also appreciate the opportunities for professional development and active involvement within the campus community.
  • Fun fact: While I was in college, I worked as a suite attendant at PPG Paints Arena and met many Penguins players and other celebrities.
• Andrew Clawson
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: The team I work with. My colleagues are the best.
  • Fun fact: I have been the head coach of my son's youth league baseball team for the past 10 seasons in a row. The 11th season will begin this summer.
• Rachel Dolcich
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: What truly distinguishes this place are the people. Their inspiring passion and dedication and the way they pour their hearts into their work make it a privilege to be part of such a hardworking community. It's the very essence of what makes Carnegie Mellon such an exceptional place for learning and growth.
  • Fun fact: I'm a dedicated contributor to the legendary Pittsburgh cookie table tradition! In the last two years, I've chocolate-dipped over 500 Oreos for family weddings and events.
• Missy Hnatkovich
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: My peers at CMU are some of the brightest HR professionals and overall best humans with whom I've had the pleasure to work.
  • Fun fact: I'm a huge dork for sci-fi/fantasy books and television shows. Hobby-wise, I'm leaning into stereotypically middle-aged interests such as bird identification, cloud watching/photography and telling people about how my knees know when a storm is coming.
• Keith Kapusta
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: The collaborative work environment in HR and the client areas I support.
  • Fun fact: I enjoy traveling with my family. My favorite destinations are the beaches in the Carolinas and the high desert of central Arizona.
• Jennifer May
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: I'm always very proud to tell people that I work at CMU. I find it incredibly fulfilling to be part of an institution that makes such an impact on the world.
  • Fun fact: I studied abroad in Italy. While there, I lived on a turkey and sunflower farm. I'm really looking forward to going back to Europe this summer on a cruise from Barcelona to Naples that includes multiple stops in Italy!
• Jaimie Sebeck
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: I get to work with driven people who have unique talents and gifts, all who share a passion of wanting to make a difference in the lives of others. As an HRBP, I get to help cultivate enriching work environments, which ultimately supports our greater purpose of serving others and making positive change in the world.
  • Fun fact: Although I work in the city, I actually live in the country with my family, two labrador retrievers, three ducks and six chickens.
• Nancy Snyder
  • Favorite thing about working at CMU: As a former school teacher with a lifelong passion for learning, I am consistently energized and excited by the university's mission. The opportunity to collaborate with bright and dedicated colleagues is a bonus! Being part of an organization so deeply committed to education where I'm surrounded by so much incredible talent is inspiring and meaningful.
  • Fun fact: ¡Hola! Although I'm no longer a Spanish teacher, my Duolingo streak is strong! Also, I volunteer with the Top Dog Therapy Team in Westmoreland County. On evenings and weekends, you'll often find "Team Maggie" (my certified therapy dog and me) bringing joy to our community at nursing homes, schools and various events.