CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – The Chicago Cubs, a leading professional sports franchise, have placed two new HR leaders with The Christopher Group. They have placed Stephanie Kachur as their new Assistant Director of Total Rewards and Joel Fernandez as their new Senior Manager of HR Operations. Managing Partner, Nat Schiffer worked with Recruiting Director, Morgan Booker and Recruiting Manager, Doug Karo on the national searches.
“The Chicago Cubs set the standard for excellence, both on and off the field, and these two roles were no exception. These positions demanded an exceptionally high talent bar, requiring dynamic leaders who can drive innovative compensation, benefits, and HR Ops strategies to support a world-class organization. Joining the Cubs means becoming part of a legacy built on teamwork, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of greatness,” said Nat Schiffer, Managing Partner at TCG.
As the Senior Manager of Total Rewards, Stephanie will manage five key areas of operation. These include: compensation and benefits strategy, performance and rewards programs, employee communication and education, compliance and risk management, and data analysis and strategic planning. These initiatives will drive the Cubs organization forward into excellence.
Stephanie Kachur brings a wealth of expertise in compensation, benefits, and HR technology. With over 15 years of experience, Stephanie has held leadership roles at organizations such as Gemini, Flexport, and Vivid Seats, where she has driven strategies in total rewards, job architecture, and employee engagement. Her career highlights include defining compensation philosophies, leading large-scale equity administration, and implementing innovative HR systems. Stephanie’s collaborative approach and passion for creating impactful employee programs make her a valuable addition to the Cubs organization as they continue to enhance their total rewards offerings.
As the Senior Manager of HR Operations, Joel will drive the continuous improvement and flawless execution of the HR service delivery model, ensuring it meets the needs of a highly complex organization that includes a diverse employee base. His role will span across various employee types, including highly compensated professional athletes, unionized employees, and seasonal stadium workers. Joel’s goal will be to optimize HR processes, enhance efficiency, and deliver exceptional HR service.
Joel Fernandez brings an extensive background in human resources to the Cubs. Joel previously served as Senior Manager, People Business Partner at Portillo’s, where he provided strategic counsel and led various HR initiatives, including talent management, succession planning, and DEIB efforts. Prior to this, he held roles in HR leadership and employee relations at Verizon and other organizations. Joel has a proven track record in driving HR strategies, fostering employee engagement, and improving organizational performance. His experience spans HR project management, multi-unit management, and employee relations.
About the Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a leading professional sports franchise, with tremendous fan loyalty, legacy, and complexity in its operations. They are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball as a member of the National League Central Division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located on Chicago’s North Side.
About The Christopher Group
Through its award-winning, customized HR solutions, The Christopher Group (TCG) delivers critical human capital solutions in the area of executive HR search, interim HR leaders, fractional CHROs, and HR advisory and consulting. Since 1998, TCG has served clients across all industries, locations, company sizes, and verticals. Staffed by former HR professionals and highly trained search practitioners who have sat in the job, TCG has been named one of the Fastest-Growing, Best Non-Profit, Diversity, Private Equity, and Top 50 Executive Recruiting Firms by Hunt Scanlon as well as Forbes’ 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 list of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms.