UNC System Human Resources Senior Leadership
Darryl Bass
Vice President for Human Resources
and Chief Human Resources Officer
Darryl joined the UNC System in January 2021 as the Senior Associate Vice President for Equity, Engagement, and Employee Relations, and was promoted to Vice President for Human Resources effective July 1, 2022. In this role, he works in collaboration with the University’s 17 constituent institutions to provide leadership and strategic direction for the delivery of human resource programs, strategies, and services system-wide to approximately 48,000 permanent employees.
Darryl has more than 30 years of experience in North Carolina state government human resources. Before joining the University, he served as Chief Human Resources Officer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), an agency with over 9,000 employees. While at NCDOT, he was the executive sponsor of the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Group and created the framework for that initiative. Previously, he also served as the human resources officer for the NC Office of State Human Resources, the NC Department of Cultural Resources, the Office of Administrative Hearings, and the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Darryl earned a bachelor’s degree from Campbell University.
Brian Usischon
Senior Associate Vice President for Human Resource Services
and Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer
Brian joined the University in January 2011 and is responsible for overseeing the administration of all university benefit programs, HR systems, and the University’s Shared Service Payroll unit. He is also responsible for the executive compensation program for senior leadership.
Brian has an extensive background in employee benefits and many years of experience providing consulting services to colleges and universities in the analysis, development, design, and installation of employee benefit plans. His experience encompasses positions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was the Senior Director of Benefits and Employee Services; at TIAA-CREF, where he was a Director of Institutional Client Services; and at Wake Forest University Health Sciences, where he was the Director of Benefits.
He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources. Brian has a Group Benefit Associate designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Lynn Duffy
Senior Associate Vice President for LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
AND TALENT ACQUISITION
Lynn joined the University in August 2017 and is responsible for executive leadership development for the UNC System Office and the 17 constituent institutions of the UNC System. Her responsibilities include providing system support for chancellor searches, executive performance management, and system leadership development and succession programs. Her unit provides employment, staffing, and strategic recruitment assistance to the System Office.
Before joining the University, Lynn founded Talent Builders, a talent management consulting and executive coaching firm. She is a recognized as a leader in innovative and proven approaches to leadership and team development. Previously, Lynn was Vice President of Human Resources with Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina and with Citi Group in the Latin American Investment Bank and International Corporate Finance Divisions.
Lynn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Executive Coaching from London’s Middlesex University. She is an academically trained Master Coach and holds International Coach Federation Certified Coach ACC designation. Lynn also served as President of the Triangle Organization Development Network and is a team captain at Ronald McDonald House.
Sean Womack
Senior Associate Vice President for Equity, Engagement, and Employee Relations
Sean joined the UNC System Office in October 2022. In this role, he is responsible for diversity and inclusion, employee relations, equal opportunity, employee engagement and development, programs, and HR policy. His unit also provides employee relations, engagement, professional development, and policy coordination for the System Office, as well as HR business system management.
Sean previously spent nine years at UNC Health, where he most recently served as executive director of the HR Executive/Employer Relations group, leading the employee relations function for the healthcare system and working closely with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging projects. His more than 25 years of human resources experience also includes positions at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University, as well as several federal agencies.
He has a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis University and a master’s in business administration from Fayetteville State University.
Chris Chiron
Associate Vice President for policy, programs, and planning
and University Equal Opportunity Officer
Chris joined the UNC System Office in December 2015. He is responsible for HR policy administration, resource development on HR policies and programs, and management of system-wide HR metrics. He also serves as the University’s Equal Opportunity Officer and is the deputy to Senior Associate Vice President Darryl Bass.
Chris came to the UNC System Office after 19 years in the Office of Human Resources at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, having served there in various roles, including as HR Communications Director, HR Policy Administrator, and Employee & Management Relations Manager.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Northern Iowa as well as a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill.