In this role, he oversees the recruitment and retention of exceptional staff who advance the university’s mission, and ensures an inclusive, diverse, and supportive environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging. In addition, he works with Yale’s partners in New Haven to advance priorities that benefit the shared community.

Prior to his arrival at Yale, Mr. Whelan served as vice president for human resources at Indiana University, where he led 325 human resources professionals across seven campuses, serving over 22,000 people. There, he implemented a comprehensive strategic plan and redesign of HR operations to improve effectiveness in staff recruitment, retention, and professional development. He also created a diversity, equity, and inclusion taskforce to review HR practices and policies before launching DEI initiatives to support an inclusive and equitable workplace. He previously held leadership positions in human resources at Baylor University, the University of Notre Dame, the Gillette Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Brown Brothers Harriman.

Mr. Whelan is a nationally recognized and awarded leader. He recently served as chair of the board for the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources and is currently a member of the board for the American Research Universities Human Resource Institute. He earned a J.D. in labor and employment law and B.A. in American studies from the University of Notre Dame.