Melissa Miguel
Vice President of People and Culture @Portland State University Foundation
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WORK HISTORY
Vice President of People and Culture @Portland State University Foundation
Portland, OR, US
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, I built and scaled the People & Culture function from the ground up over the past five years—establishing the department’s infrastructure, strategy, and team. I lead all aspects of HR, including talent management, total rewards, DEIB, employee relations, compliance, and organizational development. I serve as a strategic advisor to leadership, driving a high-performing, inclusive, and values-aligned workplace that advances the Foundation’s mission and goals.Championed Leadership Development: Designed and delivered high-impact leadership development programs and trainings that not only elevated leadership capabilities but also aligned seamlessly with the organization’s long-term vision.Led Organizational Values Redesign: Spearheaded a cross-functional initiative to redefine and embed core values, fostering a culture of authenticity, accountability, and purpose.Strategic Contributor to Four-Day Workweek Transition: Served on the executive project team that successfully implemented a four-day workweek, enhancing employee well-being and operational efficiency.Conducted Enterprise-Wide Compensation Studies: Led two comprehensive compensation analyses to ensure market competitiveness, pay equity, and alignment with organizational goals.Established and Operationalized DEIB Strategy: Built and led the organization’s internal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging strategy, driving measurable cultural and structural change.Implemented Three HRIS and BenAdmin Platforms: Architected and launched three integrated Human Resources Information Systems and Benefits Administration platforms, streamlining processes and improving data integrity.Built and Scaled CliftonStrengths Program: Developed and embedded a strengths-based development framework across the organization, enhancing team dynamics and individual performance.
EDUCATION
Portland State University - School of Business
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Human Resources
Portland State University - School of Business
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Management and Leadership
Portland State University
Associate's degree, Communication, General
SKILLS
ABOUT MELISSA MIGUEL
I’m a Human Resources leader with 10+ years of experience supporting people and organizations in higher education and the nonprofit space. My work centers on building practical, people-first HR practices that actually work in real life—not just on paper.Much of my career has been spent building and strengthening HR functions within mid-sized nonprofit organizations, often from the ground up. I love creating structure where it’s needed—whether that means improving hiring processes, supporting managers, developing talent, or helping organizations navigate growth and change. I’m at my best when I can balance day-to-day HR needs with bigger-picture thinking about culture, systems, and long-term impact.I’m drawn to mission-driven environments that value collaboration, learning, and thoughtful problem-solving. At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to help create workplaces where people feel supported, clear on expectations, and empowered to do their best work—while helping organizations move forward in meaningful ways.
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