Interim Vice President for Human Resources
Craig Beem, Interim Vice President for Human Resources
Craig joined Boston University in September 2024 and has over 30 years of Human Resources operational experience in complex organizations and industries, including manufacturing, IT services, and the banking sector. During his tenure in BU Human Resources, Craig has spearheaded important initiatives for the Compensation and HR Systems teams, including improving compensation system utilization for better governance and reporting, driving internal system enhancements, and the implementation of the Massachusetts Pay Transparency provisions for BU.
Craig is an established leader in compensation best practices and HR systems efficiency. He most recently served for over a decade as the Vice President for Total Rewards & HR Operations at Excelitas Technologies, a leading photonics company headquartered in Waltham, MA. During Craig’s tenure, he played a pivotal role in the company’s strategic growth and led organization-wide improvements in Compensation, Benefits, and HR systems. His leadership was instrumental in improving HR operational efficiencies and enhancing the employee experience through HR programs and technology launches.
Craig holds a B.S. in Financial Planning from Purdue University and an M.S. in Management from the University of Maryland. He is also a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Global Remuneration Professional (GRP). He resides in Boston with his wife and two teenage children and is an avid runner.
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Human Resources Leadership Team
Inez Alexander, Sr. Director, HR Talent Engagement & Administration
Inez joined Boston University in July 2013 and is an experienced community-oriented operations leader with 18 years of Human Resources experience and successful achievements in academic and healthcare sectors, with emphasis on customer service and efficiency in all aspects of human resources. Inez was previously the Director of DEI programs & HR Administration and before that, the HR Programs Manager. Prior to joining BU, she served as the HR Supervisor of Operations at Columbia University.
Her board appointments include Girls Inc. of Boston & Lynn and Northeast HR Association (NEHRA) DEI Advisory Board. In addition to her HR responsibilities, she mentors students through the Hayden Scholars Program and leads the HR Social Committee and the HR Awareness Collaboration Team (ACT). In addition, she serves on the following University-wide committees: Security Council and the Boston University Medical Group (BUMG) Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council.
In her free time, Inez enjoys chasing inspiration one book and one beach at a time.
Mumtaz Badshah Brown (she/her), Assistant Vice President of Talent & Organizational Development in Human Resources
Mumtaz has been at Boston University for a little over three years. She brings over two decades of experience in organizational development and learning, and her work spans several industries and international markets.
Prior to coming to Boston University, Mumtaz was at Bright Horizons, where she had an illustrious career that spanned many roles, including learning & education, consulting services, learning technologies, communications, and leading strategic expansion and development. Prior to arriving in the United States, she worked as strategy and innovation consultant for for-profit and non-profits in India and founded Global Training Associates, a non-profit empowering women and children in India, Puerto Rico, and Colombia.
As an organizational psychologist and educator, Mumtaz brings a humanistic and dialogic approach to supporting individuals and departments rooted in the understanding of human needs and behavior and how shifting cultural and technological landscape impacts thriving and innovation. Mumtaz is a member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), NEHRA, CUPA-HR, and a mentor for the Organizational Development Network (ODN). At BU, she has served on committees such as the Belonging & Culture Survey, and most recently, the Administrative Task Force on AI. Training Magazine has twice recognized Mumtaz for implementing high-quality learning at scale. She also recently presented at the CUPA-HR Spring Conference.
Mumtaz holds a master’s in organizational psychology from the University of Mumbai, India, and a master’s in critical and creative thinking from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She is certified in Inclusive Leadership and applied DEI practices, and Design Thinking. Mumtaz is a Strengths Coach and certified in the GROW model of coaching.
Originally from Mumbai, India, she has called Massachusetts home for close to 30 years. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and two cats in Arlington. She is inspired by her travels, stretched by acrylics and digital art, and finds restoration in time spent amongst family and friends.
Juditra Burgess (she/her), Assistant Vice President of Employee and Labor Relations
Judi began working for the University in 2012 as the director of labor relations. In her current role, she leads all aspects of the employee and labor relations business units, and provides strategic oversight, including major projects and initiatives in support of the University’s strategic priorities with respect to labor and employment, including the promotion of positive employee experiences throughout the employee life at the University.
Judi was also Boston University’s inaugural co-director of the University Provost’s LGBTIA+ Task Force for Faculty and Staff, where she served in that capacity for over a year. The work of the task force was responsible for recommendations that brought to life the University’s first-ever LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty & Staff.
Judi launched her career as an attorney with the US National Labor Relations Board’s Philadelphia and Boston Regional Offices. Prior to joining Boston University, she worked at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (the T) as the Assistant General Manager for Employee and Labor Relations where she had oversight of Human Resources, Labor and Employee Relations, and Occupational Health Services.
Judi was formerly a member of the Board of Advisors for the National Center for Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions. Judi also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Dream Big, an organization dedicated to helping young female athletes from low-income communities succeed in their athletic endeavors. Dream Big also promotes and supports these athletes’ growth and development as future leaders.
Judi is a graduate of Howard University and holds a juris doctorate from Villanova University School of Law, as well as certifications in management. Judi also holds a US National Labor Relations Board Certification in Trial Advocacy through the NLRB’s Trial Advocacy Institute and a certification from NEHRA’s Executive Women’s Leadership Program.
Judi is a sports enthusiast, has played rugby competitively with Beantown, Boston Women’s Rugby, and she served as the past president of the Philadelphia Women’s Rugby Club. Judi is a passionate golfer, and she lives outside of Boston with her wife and partner of 24 years and their three children.
Majella Dermody, Director, HR Service Center
Majella has been with Boston University since August 1993, when she joined Human Resources as a Benefits Assistant. During her time with the Benefits team, Majella gained expertise in the various plans offered by the University, eventually assuming the role of Benefits Manager. Since August 2014, she has been responsible for overseeing the HR Service Center, where she manages a high-performing team tasked with the ongoing delivery of HR service capabilities and responding to day-to-day questions from faculty and staff on matters of onboarding, offboarding, benefits enrollment, and administration at all stages of the employee’s life cycle with the University.
Majella is a certified SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselor for the state of Massachusetts, which is invaluable in assisting employees as they navigate the transition to Medicare. She is known for her excellent customer service and commitment to ensuring all employees are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
In her free time, Majella enjoys reading, live music, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering at My Brother’s Keeper in Easton, MA.
Nimet Gundogan, Assistant Vice President for Employee Benefits
Nimet joined Boston University Human Resources in 1982 as a Benefits Specialist. Over the years, she has taken on increasingly significant roles, culminating in her current position as the Executive Director for Employee Benefits since 2007. In this capacity, Nimet plays a critical role in advancing the University’s strategic objectives related to employee benefits. Her responsibilities encompass the oversight of all University-provided benefits administration, including the Faculty & Staff Assistance Office and the BU Children’s Center.
Joseph (Joey) Vento, Senior Director, Talent Recruitment Services
Joey has been with Boston University since February 2016. He brings over a decade of progressive human resources experience spanning strategic planning, HR operations, recruitment, and onboarding. Before assuming his current role, Joey served in various HR positions at BU, including Manager of the Human Resources Service Center. He began his career at Mercer, where he supported benefits administration, compliance, and training initiatives for diverse client groups.
In his current role, Joey partners with executive leaders and campus stakeholders to advance the University’s workforce planning, recruitment, hiring, and onboarding objectives. He leads strategic vendor partnerships, champions technology and process improvements that enhance the candidate and new-employee experience, and safeguards compliance with employment regulations across the recruitment and onboarding lifecycle.
Originally from the Greater Boston area, Joey enjoys the outdoors, basketball and running. He also values quiet moments of reflection and continuous learning through reading and listening to podcasts.