Boeing Co. has announced the appointment of Uma Amuluru as the new Chief Human Resources Officer, starting April 1. Uma Amuluru, who previously served as vice president and general counsel at Boeing’s defence and space unit since early 2023, steps into this crucial leadership position at a pivotal moment for the company. She succeeds Michael D’Ambrose, who is set to retire in July after leading Boeing’s global human resources since 2020.
This leadership transition comes at a critical time for Boeing, as it prepares to enter significant labor negotiations with its largest union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, starting March 8. These discussions are anticipated to be particularly challenging, with the union seeking substantial pay raises and the restoration of previously frozen pensions. The outcome of these negotiations could have profound implications for the company, including the potential for a strike later this year.
Amuluru’s appointment is noteworthy not only for her rapid rise within Boeing but also for her extensive legal and governmental background. Before joining Boeing, she had a distinguished career that included roles as a federal prosecutor, and counsellor to the former U.S president. Her legal expertise and experience in Washington, D.C., are expected to be valuable assets in her new role, especially given the complex and potentially contentious labor negotiations ahead.
In her capacity as Chief Human Resources Officer, Amuluru will be responsible for overseeing Boeing’s labor relations, talent planning and hiring, compensation and benefits, and diversity and inclusion initiatives across the company’s workforce of 170,000 employees. She will report directly to Boeing’s Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun and join the company’s executive committee.
The change in human resources leadership is part of a broader leadership shuffle at Boeing, which also includes recent changes in the commercial jet division. These shifts come at a time when Boeing is seeking to navigate significant challenges, including those related to its safety culture and the aftermath of the 737 Max crashes.
Amuluru’s predecessor, D’Ambrose, was one of Calhoun’s first hires after he took over as CEO in 2020, with a mandate to enhance diversity within the company. Boeing has historically skewed white and male, and D’Ambrose’s efforts were aimed at addressing this imbalance. As Amuluru takes over, it will be interesting to see how she continues these initiatives and tackles the pressing issues facing Boeing, particularly in the realm of labor relations and employee engagement.