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Strategic Human Resource Management Advisory Board

Colleen Scheibel

Colleen Scheibel

Human Resources Business Partner

Northwestern Mutual

I am a double Badger Business Alumni with both my BBA (’01) in HR and Marketing and MBA (’07) in Strategic Human Resources. These comprehensive programs have provided me with a strong foundation in various aspects of business and HR, allowing me to effectively partner across the enterprise. 

Throughout my career, I have gained valuable experience in the HR field, working in a small organization, QTI Consulting, as well as large renowned organizations, such as IBM and Northwestern Mutual. My combined experience of over 20 years in the field has enabled me to develop a versatile skill set and a holistic approach to HR.

I started my HR career after undergrad at QTI Consulting in Madison. As an HR Consultant, I had the opportunity to evaluate and design compensation structures for small and mid-sized companies in the insurance, banking, healthcare, bio-tech, and non-profit industries to ensure desired market competitiveness and support of organizational goals. I also had opportunities to recruit for high level professional roles, develop/revise affirmative action plans, administer local compensation surveys, and work with clients to develop, administer and analyze employee satisfaction surveys. In a way, it was a little bit of anything our clients were looking for help with. This was a great opportunity for me to get exposure to a lot of areas of HR in companies of various sizes and industries.

After completing my MBA in 2007, my husband and I moved to Connecticut where I started in the HR Leadership Development Program at IBM. This was an opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced global environment, where I rotated roles every 9 to 12 months. During my time at IBM, I collaborated with cross-functional teams, focusing on HR strategy and global resourcing, compensation, and HR business controls all before moving into an HR Business Partner role.

When my oldest daughter was born, it was time to move back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and friends. We relocated to Milwaukee and I started at Northwestern Mutual (NM), where I have been for the last 12+ years. Throughout my time at NM, I held multiple roles, including HR Generalist, HR Business Partner (HRBP), and Talent Manager. These positions allowed me to gain a well-rounded understanding of employee relations, talent management, leadership development, performance management, compensation practices, and how we can utilize our HR strategies to drive the business forward. Outside of work, my husband Rob, also a Badger alum, and I have 3 daughters and 2 dogs to keep us busy with a variety of activities. We love to be outside—camping and boating in the summer and skiing and sledding in the winter.

Looking ahead, I am eager to continue growing in my HR career by staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. I enjoyed attending the 2023 SHR Symposium in October 2023 and am excited to stay connected to the many great students, alumni, and HR professionals I had an opportunity to network with.