Joel Ospa

Joel Ospa is routinely praised by business and human resource leaders for his understanding of complex business issues and their implications for people. Joel regularly created sustainable, practical programs to solve systemic, long-standing global problems. These novel programs became models for others (e.g. new hire assimilation programs). His understanding of global compensation practices, systems and psychology is exceptional. His approachable, low key style and wise insights enable him to work in the most demanding situations.

An innovative and solution-oriented human resources professional for three of the world's leading financial service organizations - Goldman Sachs, Fidelity Investments and CitiGroup — Joel's career spans three decades. Whether an investment banker, board director, struggling middle manager, new employee or human resource colleague — -Joel always had time to help, even during volatile periods.

Joel retired several years ago from Goldman Sachs & Co (GS). As a Managing Director in the Human Capital Management organization, he was responsible for the design and implementation of a global HR management system. This was the first time any company implemented a fully integrated, global system for HR operating 24X7 and accommodating cultural/legal differences across three continents (U.S., Europe and Asia). Recruited to Goldman, Joel initially led a new HR function for the Investment Management Division and then went on to manage GS's core HR function including Global Compensation, Benefits, Employee Relations, and HRMIS /HR Operations before leading the development effort of the global HCM management system. Joel spent considerable time coaching senior executives and helping new employees successfully transition into the demanding Goldman culture.

Prior to joining Goldman, Joel created and led Fidelity's HR/Payroll Outsourcing business - the Fidelity Employee Services Corporation (FESCO). With a small team of talented professionals, Joel developed the business plan; created the new service offering, developed the software, built the service team and signed Fidelity's first two clients for the business, which continues to grow today. In the midst of this success at Fidelity, Joel was recruited to Goldman Sachs.

At CitiGroup, Joel had diverse responsibilities during 20 years of exceptional change for the company and the financial services industry. Starting in the Personnel Research group, he managed many projects involving selection, management and supervisory training, climate surveys, and organizational development. A senior line HR generalist for the U.S. Consumer Banking Group for over six years, Joel was a key member of the small management team that grew the business from a NY-based retail bank to a significant domestic financial service conglomerate with branches and businesses throughout the country. In the early 90's when Citi was experiencing severe financial problems, Joel was asked to manage the core HR functions for the 50,000 employee U.S. business. He dramatically changed the service and delivery model, improving HR services, while substantially reducing costs, maintaining employee morale and sustaining high ethical standards..

Joel attended NYU's Doctoral program in Industrial/Organization Psychology where he completed all the coursework and the comprehensive examinations. He has an MBA from Baruch and a BA from Brooklyn College with majors in Psychology and Economics. Joel also served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corp during the Vietnam war as a Clinical Psychology / Social Work Specialist.

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