SEPTA today announced Stephanie Deiger has been promoted to Assistant General Manager of Human Resources. In her new role, Deiger will be responsible for the departments and staff that are currently part of the Employee Development and Relations division, as well as all Human Resources functions. Her new title becomes effectively immediately and Deiger will continue to report to SEPTA Deputy Manager Richard Burnfield.
In her prior role as Assistant General Manager of Employee Development and Relations, Deiger was responsible for all labor relations, training, testing, Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and employee relations functions at SEPTA.
“These past 15 months have presented once-in-a-generation circumstances that have challenged our organization and our employees,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “Under Stephanie’s leadership, SEPTA met those challenges and set in motion new policies and programs that position us to continue to be a competitive and desirable workplace for the future.”
As the authority transforms itself to support the region’s recovery and foster a resilient, prosperous, and equitable future, Deiger’s role will be critical.
“Stephanie’s strong background and experience in labor and employee relations, legal and regulatory compliance and Authority knowledge provide a solid foundation to lead Human Resources as we deliver on the initiatives in our Strategic Plan and continue to advance our first-ever Efficiency and Accountability program,” Burnfield said.
As COVID took its toll on the economy and jobs around the globe, SEPTA continued to provide opportunities to reskill workers – including women of color who were hardest hit during the pandemic, connecting them with fulfilling career opportunities. To support SEPTA’s employees and their families, Deiger led the effort to adjust leave policies to accommodate hardships employees endured during COVID and implemented a new Parental Leave Policy to offer new parents the opportunity to bond with their newborn or adopted child through paid or unpaid Parental Leave.
In efforts to continue to augment SEPTA’s culture, her department created a Council on Diversity, Equity and Belonging, conducted an independent, agency-wide employee climate survey and collaborates with an independent advisory group of external leaders with lived experience to advise SEPTA’s Board of Directors and Executive Management Team on race and diversity issues.
“I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead, collaborating with SEPTA’s leadership and employees to continue to build a diverse, inclusive and empowered workforce and developing a proactive organization that works together as one to drive the region forward,” Deiger said.
Deiger has worked for SEPTA since 2010, starting as the Manager of Labor Advocacy, becoming Chief Labor Relations Officer in 2011. She advanced to Assistant General Manager in 2017. She began her career as a field examiner for the National Labor Relations Board before joining the law firm of Ballard Spahr. Deiger earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law.
