Romy Riddick, an integral member of the Office of Human Resources since 2012, has been named Princeton’s next vice president for human resources. She will start June 1.
Romy Riddick
Riddick will lead the Office of Human Resources (HR), which oversees the recruitment, retention and professional development of a highly skilled, diverse and vibrant group of staff members. She is currently assistant vice president of HR’s Client Services Team, which has responsibility for the areas of employee relations, talent management, labor relations and contract negotiation, learning and development, and diversity and inclusion. She previously served as HR’s director of diversity and inclusion, where she developed new programs and policies to support staff diversity efforts.
“I am delighted that Romy Riddick has agreed to become Princeton's next vice president for human resources,” President Christopher L. Eisgruber said. “She is a skilled and experienced professional with a deep regard for this University's people and its values. Her leadership and service to Princeton have earned her the trust of this campus, and I look forward to working with her as she takes on this new role.”
Executive Vice President Treby Williams, to whom Riddick will report, said: “I am thrilled by Romy’s appointment, and I look forward to working with Romy more directly as a member of my executive team and as a senior University leader in the President’s Cabinet.”
Williams continued: “The Office of Human Resources is already a strong organization that serves University staff well. Romy, with her deep institutional knowledge, talent and commitment to Princeton’s mission, will serve as a creative leader of HR as it seizes new opportunities in support of Princeton’s goals and strategic priorities.”
Riddick said she is honored to represent human resources and to support staff across the University.
“I hold dear that at Princeton we cherish people and we value the contributions of staff across their many functions in support of the teaching, research and service mission of the University,” Riddick said. “I have always been dedicated to delivering HR services with an approach that enhances the employee experience.”
Riddick said she looks forward to working with the “incredible employees” in HR in new and different ways.
“I am fortunate for having served in the Office of Human Resources for a decade alongside highly competent and dedicated professionals with whom I have developed deeply collegial and productive working relationships,” she said.
She continued: “I am looking forward to taking a fresh perspective, re-learning the institution and its needs and interests from a new vantage point. I am also excited about partnering with University leadership on the next horizons for HR: the ever-evolving workplace and labor force requires agile and creative approaches to recruiting, managing and retaining the talent we need. I look forward to the future of HR and the role it will play in service to the University in these endeavors.”
In her current role leading HR’s Client Services Team, Riddick has worked with administrative and academic departments to implement and improve numerous employee programs, policies and professional development opportunities.
Over the past 2½ years, Riddick also has served on the University’s COVID-19 Response Team and helped lead HR’s response to the pandemic. As the University continues to navigate COVID, she hopes HR can help staff thrive in new ways.
“What an energizing time to be a part of human-centered work as HR shifts from pandemic related responsibilities to re-engaging more deeply in the mission-driven work of HR to maximize human potential for doing the very best work possible at Princeton,” she said.
Riddick’s new role continues a nearly 30-year career in human resources and public service, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion work. Prior to joining Princeton, she was head of talent management and diversity at TD Bank, where she received the CEO Wow Leadership and the Vision in Action awards for her contributions and service to the organization.
She also managed national diversity recruitment and retention efforts for PricewaterhouseCoopers and, as a former trainer in organizational development for Merrill Lynch, she delivered training and executive coaching. She began her career as a legislative aide in state government where she was responsible for research to support legislative testimony to benefit women and children for the Maryland State Women’s Caucus.
Her awards include the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers, a Black Enterprise Magazine “Professional to Watch” and the National Black Achievers in Business Award.
In addition, Riddick has served on the Women’s Refugee Commission, a nonprofit advocating for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee women and children. She also was on the Women’s Multicultural Conference Planning Board for Working Mother Media and has been a board member for the New Jersey Women’s Network for women leaders in higher education.
Riddick will succeed Lianne Sullivan-Crowley, who announced she will step down as vice president for human resources at the end of this academic year.
“It has been a pleasure working with Lianne,” Riddick said. “She has had tremendous personal and professional impact on so many, including me. I am grateful for her leadership and honored to follow her tenure.”
Human Resources provides services to the University community in the areas of benefits and compensation; child and elder care; diversity and inclusion; employee and labor relations; human resources information systems; learning and development; staff service recognition; talent acquisition; and work life.
Princeton has approximately 7,300 benefits-eligible employees (staff and faculty) and is one of the largest private employers in central New Jersey.
