Comcast promoted Vicki Williams to the newly created role of chief human resources officer, in addition to her current position as head of HR at NBCUniversal — meaning she’ll lead the human resources teams across the company’s entire media and cable portfolio.
Also Tuesday, Comcast said Bill Strahan, executive VP of human resources for Connectivity & Platforms business who has played a key role in developing Comcast’s HR strategy for the past 20 years, will retire later in 2026. With Strahan’s retirement, Melanie Penna will be promoted to chief human resources officer of Comcast’s Connectivity & Platforms business.
Williams has served as NBCU’s head of HR for the past eight years, after joining the company in 2011 as senior VP of compensation, benefits and HR information systems. Prior to NBCU, she was a partner at Pay Governance and a principal at Towers Perrin where she served as an HR consultant across several industries. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in education and an MBA from the University of Georgia.
“Vicki is a highly respected leader and trusted advisor, with a strong track record of aligning talent, culture, and organizational strategy with business priorities,” said Mike Cavanagh, Comcast co-CEO, in a statement. “Her strategic mindset, thoughtful leadership style, strong judgment, and people first approach make her an excellent fit for this new role. I’m excited about the positive impact she will continue to have across the company.”
Penna most recently served as executive VP of people and integration for Comcast Technology, Product and Xperience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
Steve Croney, CEO of Comcast Connectivity & Platforms, said about Strahan: “Bill has been an incredible leader at Comcast and a true partner to so many across the organization, and we are extremely grateful for the lasting impact he’s had on our company and its HR strategy.”
About Penna’s promotion, Croney commented: “Mel brings a unique combination of operational experience and deep knowledge of our organization. As we continue to transform the business, she will be instrumental in driving alignment, simplifying how we operate, and ensuring we have the right talent and capabilities in place to execute with speed and deliver results.”
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