María Pabón Gautier

Chief People Officer

United States

About

Dr. María C. Pabón Gautier has over 15 years of experience teaching, training/coaching, and doing research to develop evidence informed practices in higher education, non-profit organizations, K-12, and government to support underserved and marginalized communities. María’s experience is a combination of interdisciplinary and diverse approaches with the goal of advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion across different settings, guided by principles of community engagement, “by us for us”, research, and measurement and evaluation. Dr. Pabon obtained her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of MN and BA in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico.

Experience

  • Project for Pride in Living (PPL) (4 yrs)
    • Chief People Officer
      Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Vice President for Talent, Equity, and Culture
      Jul 2022 - Jan 2025 · 2 yrs 7 mos

  • St. Olaf College (3 yrs 7 mos)
    • Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
      May 2021 - Jul 2022 · 1 yr 3 mos

    • Interim Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
      Feb 2021 - May 2021 · 4 mos

    • Director of Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion
      Jan 2019 - May 2021 · 2 yrs 5 mos

  • Assistant Professor & Program Director at St. Catherine University
    Aug 2015 - Jan 2019 · 3 yrs 6 mos

  • University of Minnesota (12 yrs 4 mos)
    • Instructor
      Sep 2006 - Dec 2018 · 12 yrs 4 mos

      Courses taught to graduate students: Human Relations Workshop Principles of Education and Psychological Measures Courses taught to undergraduate students: Diversity in the Workplace

    • Coordinator of Undergraduate Education
      Jul 2012 - Aug 2015 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      This position provides expertise to the College as it relates to supporting an exceptional experience for undergraduate students: innovative teaching and learning including the use of technology, strong research and community engagement opportunities, and opportunities to learn in a highly diverse environment. In addition to supporting existing programs and initiatives, this position supports the assessment and evaluation for continued excellence as well as retention and timely graduation.

  • Product Developer at Casa de Esperanza
    Jun 2005 - Jul 2012 · 7 yrs 2 mos

    I coordinated and managed the Product and Program Development Initiative and some of my responsibilities included: •supervise and coordinate advocates, interns, and research assistants, •program development and evaluation, •product/curriculum development, •grant writing, •community engagement, •conduct local and national trainings and technical assistant to systems, foundations, universities, and community organizations in topics that include domestic violence, sexual assault, violence, diversity, and multiculturalism, and •participatory action research.