College Names New Human Resources Leader

Anne-Marie Szmyt has been named associate vice president for human resources at Smith College. Her appointment is effective September 16.

Currently senior director of human resources and administrative services at Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company, Szmyt (pronounced “Schmitt”) has a long and distinguished career in human resources leadership at key organizations in the region.

Before joining MMWEC, Szmyt held senior positions at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, where she worked from 2008 to 2017, and at Baystate Health System, where she worked from 1987 to 2008.

“Anne-Marie Szymt has spent her career as a human resources executive at some of the leading organizations in Western Massachusetts,” said David DeSwert, interim vice president for finance and administration. “We are excited to welcome her to Smith at an important moment in the life of the college.”

At Smith, Szmyt will oversee 11 staff members responsible for employment recruiting, employee relations, staff training and development, labor relations, workforce planning and HR technology management.

Szmyt grew up in Chicopee and has visited the college often for public events and for her children’s athletic activities. “I’m excited to move into higher education, and especially to join the Human Resources team at Smith,” she said. “I look forward to sharing my experiences from other organizations with this progressive institution, and to collaborating with everyone across the Smith community.”

Active in a number of professional and community organizations, Szmyt is particularly interested in groups that empower women. She is a member of the National Center for Women in Technology, and of Women in Technology International. She also has partnered with Girls Who Code and other organizations to bring learning opportunities to Western Massachusetts. 

Szmyt earned her bachelor’s degree in health administration from Providence College in Rhode Island, and earned a master’s in education degree from Springfield College. She also holds a doctoral degree and a certificate of advanced graduate study degree from American International College in Springfield.

Szmyt succeeds Larry Hunt, who retired in May.