AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, has announced the appointment of Emily Gepner as chief human resources officer, succeeding Shirley Adams, who plans to retire at the end of the year. With deep experience in strategic resourcing and global operations, Gepner will build on the company’s strong foundation to drive continued innovation in how it develops and supports its people.
“Over nearly a decade at AECOM, Shirley has played a key role in shaping our culture, strengthening our commitment to our people, and creating an environment where teams can grow and thrive,” says Troy Rudd, chairman and CEO at AECOM. “With this transition, I look forward to Emily bringing her extensive experience and proven track record leading global, cross-functional teams to advance our talent strategy and position us for long-term success.”
As CHRO, Gepner will expand on her leadership of AECOM’s enterprise capabilities group to oversee the company’s global HR function, ensuring employees have the skills, support, and opportunities to succeed. She brings more than 20 years of experience with AECOM and its legacy companies, where she led transformational initiatives that optimized workshare models, strengthened collaboration, and improved performance across finance, operations, and global delivery.
Adams’ upcoming retirement marks the culmination of a distinguished, multi-decade career dedicated to advancing people, culture, and leadership on a global scale. Prior to joining AECOM, she held senior leadership roles at top consulting firms, with a focus on workforce development, organizational effectiveness, and executive leadership.
Gepner’s appointment is effective immediately. She and Adams will work in close partnership through the remainder of the year to facilitate a seamless transition.
