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Meet Our Team

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Karen

Karen D'Arcy

Director of Talent Development
kdarcy3@tulane.edu / 504-247-1710

Karen D’Arcy (she/her), Director of Talent Development at Tulane, has over 20 years of human resources experience, including HRIS implementation, talent management, employee relations, and training. Since joining Tulane in 2011, she has led strategic learning initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and foster a culture of learning. Previously, Karen served as Director of Human Resources at Tulane Medical Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from University College Dublin, is a Certified Project Manager (MPM), and has completed certifications in Inclusive Leadership and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. A recipient of the 2014 Tulane University President’s Staff Excellence Award, Karen recently presented at the 2022 CUPA-HR Spring Conference. In her free time, she enjoys being a soccer mom.

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Jenna

Jenna Z. Villarrubia

Talent Development Manager
jvillarrubia@tulane.edu / 504-247-1843

Jenna Zeringue Villarrubia (she/her) is the Manager of Talent Development (TD) in Tulane's Office of Human Resources. In this role, she develops resources and delivers programs to support individual and university growth. Since joining Tulane in 2018, Jenna has earned a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, SHRM-CP certification, and certificates in Inclusive Leadership and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, she facilitates workshops and coaching sessions to enhance team collaboration and engagement. Jenna also oversees TULearn, LinkedIn Learning, and the governance of learning initiatives, driving the TD strategy forward.

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Melissa

 

Melissa Lingsch

Talent Development Coordinator
mlingsch@tulane.edu / 504-247-1775

Melissa Lingsch is the Talent Development Coordinator in Tulane's Office of Human Resources. With over eight years of experience in higher education, Melissa brings exceptional organizational skills, multitasking expertise, and a calm, kind demeanor to her fast-paced role. She transitioned from Benefits Coordinator to her current position, where she plays a pivotal role in organizing Talent Development events and leading orientation programs for new hires. Melissa’s contributions have been recognized with the HR Office's G.R.E.A.T. Award, honoring her dedication, hard work, and ability to foster a positive workplace culture through her optimism and collaborative spirit. She is passionate about creating engaging experiences that support the professional growth and success of Tulane employees.

Javier

Javier Pineda

Talent Development Specialist
jpineda@tulane.edu / 504-988-3161

Javier Pineda is a Talent Development Specialist at Tulane University, supporting core talent initiatives including learning and development, performance management, employee recognition, and onboarding. He collaborates with departments to assess needs, deliver tailored training programs, and evaluate impact to drive meaningful growth. With an MBA in Strategic Management and Innovation and an MS in Health Care Management, Javier brings a strategic yet creative approach to building engaging, values-driven learning experiences. His background includes program management and teaching at Tulane’s School of Medicine, where he led clinical rotations and courses on healthcare teamwork and power dynamics.