New York Life Names Katherine O’Brien as Chief Human Resources Officer

Proquest LLC

New York Life announced that Senior Vice President Katherine O'Brien has been elected Chief Human Resources Officer, effective January 1, 2014.

According to the company, she will report to Senior Vice President Barry Schub, who oversees a number of corporate departments including Corporate Strategy, Corporate Communications and Human Resources.

In her new role, O'Brien assumes responsibility for Talent Development, Talent Acquisition, the HR Services unit, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Relations and the HR Business Partners function, with additional oversight for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

O'Brien is currently senior vice president and chief corporate counsel, leading all corporate practice teams in the Office of the General Counsel, including the employment and ERISA units. Previously, she was first vice president and deputy general counsel in the Office of the General Counsel after serving as the company's first chief diversity officer in the Human Resources Department for two years. Prior to that, O'Brien held positions of increasing responsibility in the Office of the General Counsel. She joined New York Life in 1995 as a litigator, specializing in employment litigation and benefits compliance. Prior to joining New York Life, O'Brien worked with several law firms in New York in general commercial litigation.

Schub said, "We are indeed fortunate to have an executive with Katherine's experience and judgment to lead our human resources organization. In her past HR-related roles she has made significant contributions and we look forward to many more in her new role."

New York Life Insurance Company, a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is a mutual life insurance company in the United States.