TIAA has named Yohna Chambers, Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer at Texas Christian University, as the new chair the TIAA Advisory Council, a forum for TIAA's institutional clients to provide advice and feedback on key initiatives, network, discuss topics of mutual interest, and exchange best practices.
"Yohna has been a very active and engaged member of the advisory council since her term began in March 2020," said Christina Cutlip, Head of Client Engagement and Advocacy at TIAA. "We will all benefit from her leadership, passion and enthusiasm at a time when many of our institutions are experiencing great change."
"Higher education institutions, both public and private, are experiencing a number of challenges because of COVID-19," Chambers said. "As CHROs and CFOs continue to manage the impacts of budget reductions, including an increasing retirement-eligible workforce, and campus communities (students and employees) in need of higher levels of mental health and well-being support from their universities, it’s very important that we have forums to share experiences and best practices to best leverage the strength of our ecosystem to help address these challenges."
TIAA launched the advisory council in 1988. Today, it includes 27 chief human resources officers and chief financial officers from across the country who meet regularly with TIAA senior leaders. In the past year, conversations have focused on the pandemic and the short- and long-term implications for higher education. Clients have also sought input on best practices for inclusion, diversity and equity programs.
Chambers' term begins immediately and runs through 2022. As TIAA council chair, she will collaborate with the firm to develop council meeting agendas and content, as well as facilitate each of the group's three in-person meetings each year, currently virtual due to COVID-19.
More about Chambers
Chambers joined Texas Christian University in July 2016. With three decades of experience in higher education that include a record of innovative and strategic leadership accomplishments, she leads the ongoing transformation of TCU's human resources team. She has held senior human resources positions at Virginia Tech, James Madison University, the Medical University of South Carolina and Mississippi State University. She is a regular presenter at national and regional conferences for the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources and is regarded as a revolutionary leader among her peers.
Chambers earned an undergraduate degree in home economics from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master's of Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University, and is a doctoral candidate at Baylor University in learning and organizational change.
"It is an honor to serve my higher education colleagues as chair of the TIAA Advisory Council. The competence, creativity, and commitment of this council are inspiring. The council's diversity of thought, composition, and years of experience generate meaningful discussions for innovation and solutions," Chambers said.
About TIAA
With an award-winning1 track record for consistent investment performance, TIAA (TIAA.org) is the leading provider of financial services in the academic, research, medical, cultural and government fields. TIAA has $1.3 trillion in assets under management (as of 3/31/20212) and offers a wide range of financial solutions, including investing, banking, advice and education, and retirement services.