Search Committee

Mary George Opperman serves as vice president and chief human resources officer for Cornell University, which employs approximately 20,000 staff and faculty across several campuses. Prior to joining Cornell in 1996, Mary spent 13 years in the human resource function at Harvard University. At Cornell, Mary's portfolio includes oversight of the Division of Human Resources, the Office of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity, Title IX compliance, and the Center for Regional Economic Advancement. Cornell has received numerous workplace awards as a result of exceptional human resource programs under Mary's leadership. These include being named AARP's top U.S. employer for workers 50 and older two years in a row — making Cornell the first employer to receive this top billing more than once. Cornell has also been listed as a best employer for working mothers, prospective and adoptive parents, IT professionals, veterans, and women executives. Mary joined the Ithaca College Board of Trustees in 2016 and currently is chair of the Governance & Compensation/Assessment Committee.