Aurora Chief Human Resources Officer Role Shifts

AURORA, IL — A new interim chief human resources officer was appointed in Aurora, city officials announced Monday.

Mayor John Laesch tapped Michele Clark, who served as Aurora's director of equity, diversity and inclusion for four years, to fill the position. Clark will succeed Alisia Lewis, who is retiring.

Elizabeth Coronado, the current director of human resources who has also been serving as the interim chief human resources officer, will remain in the role until Sept. 30 to ensure a smooth transition, officials said. Coronado has worked for the city for 14 years and will continue to serve as the director of human resources once Clark takes over.

“Elizabeth [Coronado] has been invaluable during the transition period for my new administration," Laesch said in a statement. "I have come to trust her creative, intelligent approach and solid advice."

Clark's "impressive level of experience in human resources" helped her rise above a group of "highly qualified candidates," Communications Manager Jon Zaghloul wrote in a news release.

"I was most impressed with Michele Clark’s vision for the city's HR department, along with her remarkable background and proven leadership skills," the mayor said. "I look forward to working with her to build a thriving, mission-driven workforce that will move Aurora forward."

As the incoming interim chief human resources officer, Clark will oversee a department of about 20 employees who assist in negotiating labor contracts, administering workers' compensation claims, recruiting and retaining employees, and analyzing employee benefits, among other duties.

"This role is about more than processes — it's about people," Clark said in a statement. "My commitment is to cultivate a workplace where staff feel supported, respected, and empowered to grow — because when our people thrive, our city thrives. I believe each of us has the power to 'be the thing that changes everything.'"

Clark's experience includes 20 years at John Deere, where she served as the manager of equal employment opportunity compliance, manager of human resources global compliance, and manager of global diversity and inclusion. She also led the company's human resources department in Sub-Saharan Africa, spearheading efforts to implement corporate human resources processes and a coordinated human resources strategy, Aurora officials said.