Meet Fran Shields Dedeian, Assistant Vice President of Benefits and Total Rewards

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We are pleased to welcome Frances “Fran” Shields Dedeian as Assistant Vice President of Benefits and Total Rewards, effective August 3, 2026. In this role, Fran will report directly to Nila Bhaumik, VP Human Resources/CHRO, and will have direct oversight and responsibility over the areas of Compensation and HR Operations, Health and Retirement Benefits Administration, and Compliance. Fran brings extensive experience as a senior Human Resources and Total Rewards executive, with a proven track record of designing and leading comprehensive benefits, retirement, and employee well-being programs. Throughout her career, Fran has partnered closely with senior leadership teams to develop compensation strategies, align people initiatives with organizational goals, and strengthen the overall employee experience. Building on her deep expertise in benefits administration, Fran has also led efforts in compensation strategy, market benchmarking, workforce planning, and career architecture.

Fran holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from St. Thomas Aquinas College. She is a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS). In addition, she has completed executive and business leadership programs through Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, INSEAD, and the UC Berkeley - Haas School of Business.

Fran will be primarily based in the HR office at Goldstein Academics, Pleasantville campus and can be reached at fshieldsdedeian@pace.edu. Please join us in welcoming Fran to the team. We look forward to the expertise, leadership, and strategic perspective she will bring to our organization.