Andy Covell

Andy is a respected human resources executive and Total Rewards leader with more than  20 years of experience strengthening organizations across higher education, hospitality,  training, food service, project management, and information technology industries.  Throughout his career, he has built and led high-performing HR operations focused on  strategic workforce planning, compensation and benefits, compliance, organizational  development, employee engagement, and operational excellence. 

Currently serving as Director of Total Rewards at the California Institute of the Arts  (CalArts), Andy leads the institution’s comprehensive total rewards strategy, overseeing  compensation, benefits, wellness, leave administration, HR systems, and payroll  collaboration to support a dynamic and creative academic community. His leadership  emphasizes innovation, equity, employee experience, and data-driven decision-making  that aligns organizational goals with employee well-being. 

Andy has championed the development of robust human resources frameworks and  successful compliance initiatives while leading multiple technology implementations that  streamlined benefits administration, HRIS, and payroll processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Passionate about fostering inclusive workplace cultures, he has  spearheaded diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and developed morale-boosting  programs that cultivate engagement, collaboration, and high performance. 

Known for his strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style, Andy also specializes in  providing executive-level HR leadership and advisory support to organizations seeking  outsourced or fractional HR expertise. 

An active and highly respected leader within the human resources profession, Andy has  held numerous leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. He previously  served as President of the San Diego Society for Human Resource Management (SD SHRM)  and currently serves as the SHRM California State Director. In addition, he is the President Elect for SoCal CUPA-HR, where he helps advance professional development and  collaboration among higher education HR leaders throughout Southern California. 

Andy is also a sought-after instructor, speaker, and presenter on a wide range of HR and  leadership topics. He holds both the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and  Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designations. He earned his bachelor’s  degree from Webber International University and completed graduate studies in Human  Resource Management at Northeastern University.

In every role, Andy approaches workplace challenges with professionalism, strategic  insight, proactive leadership, and an optimistic outlook that inspires organizations and  teams to thrive.