Maureen De Armond, J.D., SHRM-SCP, will join Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences as the new chief human resources officer beginning August 5, 2024.
“Maureen’s extensive background in HR and law will be instrumental in driving DMU’s mission forward. Her expertise will be invaluable as the university continues to foster innovation and serve the community,” says Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., president and CEO.
De Armond brings a wealth of experience to DMU, having most recently served as the executive director of human resources at Drake University. Her distinguished career includes leadership roles at the Oregon Institute of Technology and the University of Florida, Gainesville, as well as legal expertise from her time as associate counsel at Iowa State University and in-house legal counsel at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois.
De Armond earned two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa in 2004. She is currently licensed in the State of Iowa. Her credentials also include certifications in diversity, equity and inclusion, Six Sigma Green Belt, and Leadership: Inventing the Future from the University of Arizona.
“I’m excited about this opportunity,” De Armond says. “The position pulls together three things I care about greatly: nonprofits, higher education and health care. I believe in the mission of DMU and its contributions to the higher education and health care landscape.”
De Armond plans to prioritize listening to the campus community to assess needs and goals across campus. “It’s important for me to earn the trust of the human resources team and credibility across campus.”
She is fully committed to DMU’s inclusive culture. “Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment is crucial, and human resources plays a pivotal role. We want to recruit and retain top talent.
“It’s essential for the entire human resources team to be visible and accessible. I want all DMU employees to see me as a trusted resource who supports leadership, the institution and individual employees,” she adds.
De Armond jokes that she’s never been bored in her spare time. “I like to do a little bit of everything,” she says. Her interests include biking, jogging, painting, watching movies and cooking. She also is a writer who publishes human resources content regularly for professional journals. In addition, she enjoys creative writing.
