Comcast has promoted Vicki Williams to the newly created role of chief human resources officer, in addition to her current position as head of human resources at NBCUniversal. This means she will lead the human resources team and strategy across the company’s media and cable portfolio.
Also Tuesday, Comcast announced that Bill Strahan, executive vice president of human resources for the Connectivity and Platforms business, who has played a key role in developing Comcast’s human resources strategy for the past 20 years, will retire in late 2026. Following Strahan’s departure, Melanie Pena will be promoted to chief human resources officer for Comcast’s Connectivity and Platforms business.
Ms. Williams has served as NBCU’s head of human resources for the past eight years, having joined NBCU in 2011 as senior vice president of compensation, benefits and human resources information systems. Prior to joining NBCU, she was a partner at Pay Governance, a principal at Towers Perrin, and a human resources consultant in multiple industries. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in education and an MBA from the University of Georgia.
“Vicki is a highly respected leader and trusted advisor with a strong track record of aligning people, culture and organizational strategy with business priorities,” Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh said in a statement. “Her strategic thinking, thoughtful leadership style, strong judgment, and people-first approach make her a great fit for this new role. I’m excited for her to continue to have a positive impact across the company.”
Penna is a nearly 32-year veteran of Comcast, most recently serving as Executive VP of People and Integration for Comcast’s Technology, Products, and Experience Group. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, Indiana) and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
Steve Croney, CEO of Comcast Connectivity & Platforms, said of Strahan: “Bill has been a great leader at Comcast and a true partner to many people across the organization, and we are extremely grateful for the lasting impact he has had on our company and its people strategy.”
Commenting on Pena’s promotion, Mr. Clowney said, “Mel brings a unique combination of operational experience and deep knowledge of our organization. As we continue to transform our business, she will help us drive alignment, simplify the way we operate, and ensure we have the right people and capabilities to execute quickly and deliver results.”
