Human Resources Leadership Transition

After 35 years of dedicated service to Kenyon, Director of Human Resources Jennifer Cabral will retire on June 30, 2023.

By Todd Burson
Date

Dear members of the Kenyon College community,

After 35 years of dedicated service to Kenyon, Director of Human Resources Jennifer Cabral will retire on June 30, 2023. Leah Miller, who has assumed increasing responsibilities since she joined the Office of Human Resources in 2019, will serve as Director of Human Resources beginning July 1, 2023. In the interim, Miller will be promoted to Associate Director of Human Resources in recognition of her increased leadership.

Cabral began her career at Kenyon in the accounting office, moving quickly from payroll to senior accountant. She served as senior accountant for eight years, supervising student accounts, accounts receivable and payroll; managing grants budgets; and investing Kenyon’s short-term operating funds. In 1996, Cabral was appointed Kenyon’s first director of human resources and tasked with establishing a human resources department. 

As director, Cabral worked closely with Presidents Rob Oden, Georgia Nugent and Sean Decatur, and most recently myself, to establish and grow the College’s human resources functions. This included Banner implementation for HR; creating a standard system to manage salaries; establishing the Emeriti Plan; managing the self-funded health plan; designing and implementing the Employee Performance Plan; establishing a suite of professional development offerings as well as many other initiatives. During this time, Cabral earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and served on the national Emeriti Plan Advisory Council and the Ohio College Association Workers Compensation Steering Committee.

In my years working with Jennifer, I have appreciated her clarity and candor. Every aspect of human resources is complex, every situation unique — and Jennifer approached it all with professionalism and good common sense. 

Leah Miller holds a master’s degree in workforce development and has been instrumental in launching Kenyon’s supervisor training program, supporting a new employee performance program, and administering a growing portfolio of employee benefits.

Please join me in congratulating Jennifer on her upcoming retirement and Leah on her promotion, both very well-deserved.

Sincerely,

Todd E. Burson
Vice President for Finance