Building a Culture of Learning, with HR Executive Nichole Oocumma

Nichole Oocumma, SHRM-SCP, vice president of HR and chief learning and culture officer at The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, leads HR initiatives for the nonprofit public health care system of nearly 9,000 employees. She is known for her data-driven approach to collaborative cultural transformation, which equips her to build high-performing teams. Oocumma shared her insights on building a culture of learning in the September 2025 EN:Insights Forum. 

Here are a few additional insights from the conversation.

When it comes to learning and development, what challenge do organizations often underestimate? 

Many organizations underestimate the investment required in culture and engagement, Oocumma noted. This can be especially challenging during times of economic uncertainty, when organizations often reduce their expenses in areas such as HR and learning and development. 

How did you create a culture of learning at MetroHealth?

Oocumma shared that the leadership at MetroHealth value learning as a priority. It’s about creating programming, adding learning materials to the company intranet, and hosting town hall meetings where the executive team receives questions.

Can you share an example of a learning or culture initiative that helped your organization stay agile through change? 

Oocumma said that she previously worked for a managed care organization. During a merger and acquisition, her team conducted predictive analytics to better understand how its employees felt. The team discovered that the organization’s internal communication and messaging could be improved.