Washington, DC (September 3, 2024) – Bozzuto has appointed Lauren Fitzgerald as Managing Director and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Fitzgerald assumed the role on July 15, succeeding Dan High who retired after serving as Bozzuto’s head of Human Resources for the last two decades.
Fitzgerald brings more than 35 years of comprehensive experience in all aspects of human resources to support Bozzuto’s 350 part-time and 3,265 full-time employees.
Most recently, she served as Partner, Managing Director, and CHRO at Strategic Investment Group, an outsourced Chief Investment Officer firm. In this role, Fitzgerald was instrumental in shaping the HR function to support the firm’s business goals and client-focused culture.
Before her tenure at Strategic Investment Group, Fitzgerald led human resources at American Capital, a publicly traded private equity firm with offices and portfolio companies in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has also built and led HR teams at CoStar Group, Pepsi, and Morton’s Restaurant Group, creating high-growth cultures and developing programs to increase employee engagement and drive operational excellence.
Fitzgerald’s approach underscores the critical role HR plays in shaping the overall employee experience, from recruitment and onboarding to development and retention. She believes that a positive employee experience is foundational to creating a thriving, engaged workforce that drives company success.
“We are excited to welcome Lauren to Bozzuto. Her expertise in human resources, combined with her commitment to enhancing the candidate and employee experience, will be invaluable as we continue to foster a workplace culture that attracts, retains, and develops top talent,” said Julie A. Smith, Chief Administrative Officer at Bozzuto. “Her leadership will ensure that Bozzuto remains a place where current and future team members feel supported and empowered.”
One of Fitzgerald’s first priorities will be getting to know each of the site teams, their roles and responsibilities, and the unique challenges they face. Fitzgerald plans to spend time this fall visiting Bozzuto communities, construction sites, and corporate offices, getting acquainted with employees, and understanding the day-to-day work that drives the company’s business.
Fitzgerald holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from DePaul University. She is a Senior Certified HR Professional (SHRM-SCP) and an active member of the HR community, serving on the Advisory Board for DePaul University’s Master of Science in Human Resources program. Additionally, she is a member of Chief, a private women’s network for senior executives.
About Bozzuto
Bozzuto is an experience-focused real estate company distinguished by their innovative developments, dedicated customer service, and top-rated workplace culture. With award-winning expertise in homebuilding, multifamily development, construction, and management, Bozzuto is devoted to delivering extraordinary experiences for those they serve.
Since their founding in 1988, Bozzuto has developed, acquired, and built more than 61,000 homes and apartments. Celebrating 36 years of creating sanctuary for their residents, Bozzuto currently manages 110,000 apartments and 3.5 million square feet of retail space across the U.S.