Michelle H. Kohler, PhD, serves as Executive Vice President, Human Resources, and Chief Human Resources Officer for Ascension. She has executive responsibility for elevating organizational effectiveness and enhancing associate experience in support of Ascension’s Mission. This includes innovative HR strategies and people practices in leadership and organizational development, associate engagement, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, labor and associate relations, diversity and inclusion, and internal communications.
From October 2021 to June 2024, Michelle served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, providing contemporary and operationally aligned solutions to improve Ascension’s knowledge, skills, capabilities, culture and leadership. She also led executive recruiting, internal communications and organizational effectiveness across Ascension’s System Office and ancillary teams. S
he previously provided HR support for the Florida and Texas ministry markets, the Strategy and Innovation team, and The Resource Group. Before joining Ascension in 2018, Michelle was an organizational talent and development leader at General Electric’s Power division. She started her career in the automotive industry with BorgWarner, Inc.
Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, and a master’s degree in business administration from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. She holds a doctorate degree in industrial and organizational psychology. Additionally, Michelle is a Certified Compensation Professional and Certified Benefits Professional and also attended the Ross School of Business Advanced HR Executive Program at the University of Michigan.