Brett Avner

Brett Avner serves as an Adjunct Instructor at National Louis University (NLU), teaching MBA courses including Ethics, Non-Profit Management, Performance Management, International Management, and Fundraising. With over thirty years of executive experience as Chief Human Resources Officer at Nationwide Insurance Companies, Victoria’s Secret (L Brands), and Continental Illinois National Bank, he integrates real-world corporate leadership into his academic instruction.

His educational qualifications feature:

• BA in Psychology from Bradley University
• MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of North Texas
• PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology

As an Applied Psychologist, Dr. Avner specializes in leveraging Human Resources best practices to drive business profitability through strategic talent management, leadership development, and organizational alignment. His expertise encompasses culture-driven performance systems, executive team coaching, diversity initiatives, and financial strategy within HR frameworks. He maintains that robust talent strategies and corporate culture are fundamental to achieving exceptional business outcomes, combining technical I/O psychology with decades of board-level corporate experience.

Throughout his career, Brett Avner has mentored graduate students at both NLU and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, emphasizing practical application of theoretical concepts, accountability, and excellence. He actively cultivates independent thinking while valuing students' professional maturity and diverse perspectives in developing real-world business solutions.