Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, September 2024 – Robert Shorty has taken on the role of Vice President of People Equity & Culture and Chief People and Inclusion & Equity Officer at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). In this key leadership role, Robert will oversee all people-centered operations at GVSU, including Human Resources, Inclusion and Equity, the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX, and the Employee Ombuds Office. As a senior advisor, he will drive strategic initiatives to advance GVSU’s mission, vision, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Prior to joining GVSU, Robert spent 5 years at Nike in various leadership roles, most recently serving as Sr. Director, HRBP for North America Supply Chain Operations & Logistics. In this position, Robert led HR strategies for logistics operations, focusing on talent management, employee engagement, and DEI initiatives across North America.
Before that, Robert was Director, Global Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Nike for 2 years 4 months, where he played a pivotal role in embedding DEI strategies across the organization. He also served as Director, HR Business Partner, NA Logistics for 1 year 10 months, driving HR solutions for Nike’s North America logistics operations.
Earlier in his career, Robert worked at Starbucks as a Regional Human Resources Manager for 3 years, overseeing HR operations and talent strategies in the Columbus, Ohio region.
Robert also gained extensive HR experience during his 5 years 11 months at McDonald’s Corporation, where he served in various HR roles, including Human Resources Manager and HR Consultant. In these roles, he provided HR support for over 100 corporate-owned restaurants, focusing on talent management, succession planning, and employee relations.
His career began at Target as an Executive Team Leader-Human Resources, where he developed HR strategies and initiatives that improved operational efficiency and employee relations across multiple stores.
About Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is one of the nation’s top 100 largest universities, attracting over 25,000 students with high-quality academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to individual student achievement. GVSU offers 87 undergraduate and 37 graduate degree programs from campuses in Allendale, Grand Rapids, Holland, and various centers across Michigan. The university emphasizes research opportunities and business partnerships, providing students with a comprehensive educational experience.
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