Meet Kate Gaffney
What is your name?
Kate Gaffney
What’s your job title?
Director, NYU Employee Experience
Years/Months at NYU:
19 years, 9 months
What’s your hometown?
Washington, D.C.
What kind of projects do you work on?
I work on employee engagement, events, talent management and training, systems implementations, compliance initiatives and UHR awards and recognition.
What made you choose NYU or what contributes to NYU being special to you?
At first, I was looking for an employer that was close to home to improve what had been a 3 hour daily commute. However, after my first interview, I was hooked! I hadn’t considered what working in a non-profit, mission driven environment would mean to me and the opportunities to do meaningful work were endless.
What does a normal day look like for you?
A normal day is a state of constant flux and changing gears to meet each moment. Everyone who works with me knows I like to say, “It’s never dull!”
Any advice for new administrators?
Be the problem solver where you are and offer to be of service. Be the glass half full who can see the options and provide solutions and guidance to those around you.
Is there an NYU benefit or perk that you use or think everyone should know about?
NYU Scholastix! I love going to see Broadway plays of all sorts: drama, musical, comedy, live music.
Name your favorite spot on campus.
I love to walk through the Washington Mews and think about its history. I imagine the beauty of Manhattan during the time of the Lenape.
What is your fondest memory in your time here?
I have always enjoyed working on global projects and served on the start up teams for Abu Dhabi and Shanghai for HR related work. In 2010, I traveled to Abu Dhabi to train the HR team on systems and was welcomed like family. We are so fortunate to have colleagues in other parts of the world with whom we can partner and learn.
We spend a lot of time at our desks and they can tell us a lot about your personality. Show us yours!
Do you have a hidden talent, skill or side gig you’d like us to spotlight?.
I am an NYC history buff and have led walking tours of the Village in my spare time.
What is your favorite book and why?
Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin – the magical realism of New York City in the 19th Century
What is your go-to app on your phone right now?
Instagram
Favorite travel destination?
Paris
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Horror or comedy?
Horror
What’s your favorite season?
Fall
Wanna nominate an NYU administrator for the next Behind the Title? Tell us about them.»