January 14, 2016

Vice Chancellor-Chief Financial Officer Dave Lawlor announced that Brenda Rebman will serve as the Acting Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for UC Davis while Susan Gilbert, Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, is on extended leave.

Rebman, a contract employee, has full authority given to the most senior level HR position at UC Davis. She reports directly to Lawlor and is prepared to serve in the acting capacity for a number of months.

Rebman is an experienced HR leader with more than 35 years of experience in operations, development, talent management, leadership, and change management. She has led complex organizational change within higher education, health care and local governments.

“Brenda is a great addition to our campus and medical center,” Lawlor said. “Her extensive experience in senior level change management for complex organizations will benefit HR staff and customers as we refocus efforts to optimize HR services in 2016.”

As the Acting CHRO, Rebman has responsibility for the central HR teams on the Davis campus and at the Health System. Rebman’s appointment took effect Dec. 21 and she will transition to full time in February. In the meantime, she is scheduled to be on campus three days per week.

Also announced was the selection of Chazey Partners Inc. to consult on the next phase of change within central HR. In addition, Vice Chancellor Dave Lawlor and Julie Freischlag, Vice Chancellor for Human Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine, will co-chair an Executive Steering committee to guide the design and implementation of an operational model for best-in-class Human Resources for the 21st Century.