Dear Colleagues,

I’m pleased to inform you that I have appointed Lakeesha Brown as Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer for the university, responsible for overseeing this critical function at both UConn and UConn Health.

Lakeesha has served in this university-wide role on an interim basis since May 2023 and prior to that served as Vice President for Human Resources at UConn Health since September 2021.

In her time at UConn and UConn Health she has distinguished herself through her deep knowledge and understanding of modern Human Resources best practices, policies, and approaches and how to effectively apply both within the complex institution that is UConn, as well as her exceptional leadership skills, professionalism, and collegiality.

During her time at UConn and UConn Health she has worked to increase employee appreciation and wellness activities, partnered closely and collaboratively with the leadership of our collective bargaining units in the interests of our employees and their wellbeing, and she has worked to align HR practices with the needs of UConn and UConn Health.

I know Lakeesha looks forward to continuing these partnerships and further developing a dynamic workplace where all feel they are heard, they matter, and that they belong.

Before joining us at UConn, she served as Vice President of Human Resources at Mountainside/Aura Healthcare, which supports inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs in the tri-state area.

Prior to that, she was a Principal Labor Relations Specialist at UConn Health for seven years and held increasingly responsible HR positions at multiple State of Connecticut executive branch agencies, most recently as Director of HR for the state Department of Labor.

She began her career at CCARC, a private, nonprofit organization offering an array of services to support adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families, as the Director of Human Resources.

Lakeesha earned her MBA in Business Ethics and Compliance from UConn and her BA in Business Management from Albertus Magnus College.

Please join me in congratulating Lakeesha on her permanent role and in thanking her for her continued leadership.

Sincerely,
Radenka Maric
UConn President