In-Person Panel: Leading Change & Shaping Culture with a Lean HR Team

Meet Tracy Burns, the CEO behind NEHRA since November 2010. Tracy left a two-decade-long corporate HR career, finding her perfect fit at NEHRA. In her role, she stays closely connected to the HR space, championing and developing those working to meet the challenges in today’s work environment.

Tracy believes in more than just steering the largest HR organization in New England; she sees it as a duty to consistently propel HR professionals forward. For her, that goes beyond making sure HR leaders have what they need to support their own organizations; it also includes providing them with a chance to focus on their own development within NEHRA.

Her passion for women's leadership led her to play a pivotal role in launching NEHRA's first Executive HR Women’s Program in 2017. Recognizing the impact COVID had on HR professionals, in 2022, she collaborated with local business leaders to unveil NEHRA’s groundbreaking Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace resource platform.

Tracy is the go-to expert on "all things workplace," often lending her insights to local and national media outlets. She's been featured on industry-related podcasts like The Hennessy Report, HR Rebooted, and Wellbeing Walks.

Beyond NEHRA, Tracy is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the American Society of Association Executive (ASAE). She's a supporter of fundraising efforts for The Children’s Place, serves on the Work Without Limits Business Advisory Council at UMass Medical School, and actively participates in Boston's DEI community.

Tracy’s HR journey started early, leading her to earn a degree in business/human resources from California State University and later a master’s degree in organizational development from Lesley University. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Tracy has called Greater Boston "home” since 1996. Besides being a certified yoga instructor, she cherishes quality time with friends and family, especially her two fabulous sons. Tracy Burns isn't just a CEO; she's a dedicated advocate for growth, wellbeing, and genuine human connections.

Heather has had the pleasure of working in the People field for 15 years, developing HR departments from the ground up for private-equity backed companies during times of rapid growth and expansion. As Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Accelerate Learning, Inc., she helps this growing ed tech company achieve ambitious business objectives through its people strategy.

Drew Hussar is currently the Director and Head of Human Resources at PanAgora Asset Management. Prior to that, he worked at Harvard Management Company, Inc. where he held various positions such as Senior HR Generalist, HR Generalist, and HR Generalist from 2007 to 2018. Before joining Harvard Management Company, Inc., Drew worked at Harvard University in different departments including Alumni Affairs & Development and Harvard Medical School, where he focused on human resources and staffing. Drew also gained experience as a Recruiting Specialist at Harvard University's Central Administration. In his earlier career, he worked at DHR International as a Senior Associate and Director of Research.

Pam serves as the Human Resources Manager at Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU) in Boston, Massachusetts. In her current role she oversees the overall strategic direction, planning, coordination, administration and evaluation of the Human Resources functions. HOU is a national company and Pam is responsible for developing and ensuring effective implementation of plans, systems, policies and processes for workforce planning, talent management and development, employee engagement, legal compliance and recordkeeping, employee relations, total rewards (compensation and benefits),

Pam started her career at Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC), then moved laterally within the organization at A.C.T. Roxbury, MPDC’s arts and culture program. At MPDC. Pam learned about program management, community outreach, workforce development, community building, and engagement.

After MPDC, Pam worked at the startup company, Next Street Financial, located in Roxbury. In 2008, Pam returned to school to pursue a Master’s in Business Management at Cambridge College. Upon graduation, Pam built her human resources career as a Human Resources Manager at Showa Boston and later at the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center.

Prior to joining Housing Opportunities Unlimited, Pamela served in a Human Resources role at Zoo New England, Pam was responsible for HR programs and initiatives, employee engagement, employee benefits, and recruitment at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA.

Pam has served on several boards over the years including, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston and Mothers for Justice & Equality (MJE).  Pam lives with her family in Mattapan, where she is an active community member and in June 2020 was elected to the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council and currently serves as Treasurer for the Council.

Pam is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) and a class participant of NEHRA’s 2023-2024 Executive Women in HR cohort.

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