
Claudia Paetsch, vice president for human resources, has announced her intention to retire in August 2025 after six years at Marquette. The university will undertake a national search for its next vice president for human resources.
“Claudia has been an incredible leader and a true advocate for Marquette’s most valuable resource — our people,” said Joel Pogodzinski, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “In her time here, Claudia has increased efficiencies and elevated standards in the Department of Human Resources, built meaningful partnerships across campus, and she has worked to thoughtfully ensure that our HR practices and total rewards offerings align with our Catholic, Jesuit mission, vision and values. I wish Claudia and her family all the best in her well-deserved retirement.”
Paetsch joined Marquette in 2019 and has successfully led the university’s human resources enterprise, including recruitment and retention; training and organizational development; employee engagement; performance management; employee relations; total rewards (i.e., compensation, benefits and employee wellness); human resource information systems; and the Marquette University Child Care Center.
“I am filled with gratitude, admiration and deep appreciation for the people who make Marquette the very special place it is,” Paetsch said. “It’s been my honor to work with such dedicated, smart, caring and fun colleagues who truly are making a difference in our world. Thank you!”
Over her six years at Marquette, Paetsch is credited with modernizing HR practices and delivery to attract, engage and retain the workforce necessary to deliver on the university’s educational mission. Under her leadership, the Department of Human Resources implemented a robust total rewards program to meet the diverse needs of employees; advanced HR’s business partner model and centralized recruiting; brought sophisticated data gathering and analysis to inform decisions; and elevated the university’s employee engagement and professional development offerings.
Paetsch joined Marquette in April 2019. Prior to that, she was a member of the HR leadership team at Northwestern Mutual, working with executives and their teams throughout the organization. She previously held HR leadership roles in talent acquisition, employee relations, shared consulting services and employee health services. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Paetsch worked in HR at Aurora Health Care and Blue Cross and Blue Shield/United Wisconsin Services.
She has actively volunteered for the United Way, UPAF, Hunger Task Force and the Milwaukee Riverkeepers. Currently she is a board member for the Menomonee Valley Partners, the Menomonee River Valley Business Improvement District #26 and the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and she serves on the HRLx advisory board for chief HR officers in higher education.
Watch Marquette Today for updates on the search for the next vice president for human resources, as well as a retirement celebration for Paetsch later this year.