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Council confirms Dagmar Whitaker as director of human resources; mayor cites higher-education HR background
Summary
Mayor Betancourt nominated Dagmar Whitaker as director of human resources; the council unanimously confirmed her to a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2027. Whitaker described HR experience in the private sector and at Northeastern and Harvard.
Mayor Betancourt nominated Dagmar Whitaker for director of human resources, and the council confirmed her nomination by roll call vote on May 8.
The mayor said Whitaker was chosen after an extensive recruitment and interview process. He noted her prior experience in the private sector and at higher-education institutions, including Northeastern University and most recently Harvard University, where she served as a human-resources director. The mayor told the council that, while Whitaker does not have municipal HR experience, her background working with unions, faculty and staff at complex organizations makes her well suited for the city’s needs, including upcoming union negotiations and hiring work.
Whitaker addressed the council briefly and described a career working in the U.S. and Europe and said she views HR as culture-shaping work beyond policies and procedures. Councilor Gamache moved approval; the council approved the nomination 11–0. The nomination record states a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2027.
Why it matters: the director of human resources will lead personnel, union negotiations and hiring efforts for the city. Councilors emphasized Whitaker’s higher-education HR experience and wished her well in adapting that experience to municipal operations.
Whitaker was present at the meeting and thanked the council for the opportunity.
