Lori Barreras

Assistant Vice President

Lori Barreras is an experienced human resources professional currently serving as the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at The Ohio State University.1 In this role, she leads the overall modernization of HR services and oversees talent management programs and strategies, including talent acquisition.1

Professional Background

Prior to joining Ohio State University, Barreras held several notable positions:

Vice President of Human Resources at Battelle Memorial Institute's Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN1
Manager for Workforce and Staffing Programs at Battelle Memorial Institute – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA
Supervisory Investigator at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Phoenix, AZ3

Education and Expertise

Barreras holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Operations Management from Arizona State University. Her extensive experience spans over two decades in various aspects of human resources, including:

Talent management
Leadership development
Compensation and benefits
Succession planning
HR modernization

Community Involvement

Beyond her professional role, Barreras is actively involved in several community organizations:

Board member of the Greater Columbus Arts Council1 2
Member of the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board2
Member of the Columbus Women's Commission's Pay Equity Committee2

Public Service

Notably, Barreras has also served in public roles:

Chair of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (appointed in 2013, served as Chair from March 2018 to April 2023)2 4
Commissioner on the Columbus Civil Service Commission (appointed by Mayor Michael Coleman)1

Barreras is known for her expertise in HR practices, policies, and disciplinary decisions, as well as her commitment to creating fair and consistent workplace cultures.3 Her diverse background in both public and private sectors provides her with a unique perspective on employment issues and civil rights.3