John Whelan

In August 2021, John Whelan joined Yale University as Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), embracing a pivotal role aligned with Yale’s mission of “improving the world today and for future generations through outstanding research and scholarship, education, preservation, and practice.” John leads an accomplished HR organization dedicated to fostering a workforce as diverse and talented as it is engaged with Yale’s global mission. His approach to HR leadership is to cultivate a community where every individual contributes to creating a better world.

Before Yale, John served Indiana University as Vice President and CHRO, where he elevated HR into a strategic asset. This period was characterized by improvements in process efficiency, customer service, and a notable increase in employee engagement across its seven campuses, underscoring John’s belief in the transformative power of effective HR practices.

Before Indiana University, John served as the Vice President and CHRO at Baylor University, where he continued his commitment to HR excellence. His journey in HR leadership also includes impactful roles at the University of Notre Dame, Bristol-Myers Squibb, The Gillette Company, and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. At each stage of his career, John has championed positive change, emphasizing the importance of listening, learning, and leading with empathy and strategic vision.

Holding both a BA and a JD from the University of Notre Dame, John has a profound respect for the human and legal dimensions of HR. His leadership extends to contributions within the broader HR community, including his previous service on the national board of directors for the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), where he also served as chair. Notably, John was honored with CUPA-HR's Donald E. Dickason Award in 2021, the most prestigious recognition for an HR professional in higher education. Recently concluding his term as chair for the American Research Universities-HR Institute (ARU-HRI), John continues to serve on its board.

As a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, John upholds the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. His collaborative leadership and dedication to meaningful change are central to his role at Yale, where he works tirelessly to advance the university's mission of making a lasting impact on the world.