The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that Ursulla McWhorter and Robert C. Goodwin will join Lyric Opera of Chicago as the new vice president of people and culture and vice president of Lyric Unlimited – Learning and Creative Engagement, respectively.

McWhorter has been working with the Lyric Opera of Chicago since January 2021 as interim director of human resources and will step into a new position aimed at connecting Lyric’s human resources, IDEA initiatives, and internal culture. Meanwhile, Goodwin will work with the company for the first time after serving as Director of Artistic Engagement/Education and Community at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

In a statement, Roberta Lane, the company’s Chief Financial and Administrative officer said, “Ursulla brings an incredibly strong professional background to Lyric. She started her Human Resource career at Ford Motor Company in Detroit and, subsequently, spent 10 years at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan before starting her own consulting firm. Since joining us in January, Ursulla has already provided invaluable assistance to Lyric staff and made tremendous contributions to the company.”

She added, “We are excited to be welcoming Robert C. Goodwin to Lyric. His tenure at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival has equipped him well to provide leadership and vision to our Learning and Creative Engagement team, and the company overall. The real, concrete, and relevant work that Lyric does to serve our community is one of our most important aspects of our mission. We know Robert will take that work to an even deeper and more meaningful level.”

McWhorter has previously worked with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, where she collaborated with the executive leadership of the Health Maintenance Organization (BCN) and Preferred Provider Operation (BCBSM). She has also experienced supporting local contract negotiations with United Auto Workers during her time at BCBSM and Ford Motor Company.

Meanwhile, Goodwin has worked with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Chicago’s Urban Gateways, University of Chicago, and Kennedy King College.