January 9, 2019

The Atlanta Braves have hired longtime Atlanta executive, DeRetta Rhodes, as their new Senior Vice President of Human Resources. Rhodes will begin on January 22 and report to Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller.

Rhodes brings with her over 20 years of diverse experience at several Atlanta-based companies, most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. While at the YMCA, she led the organization's thought leadership and implementation of all aspects in talent selection and development, succession planning, risk management, HR systems and career path initiatives across the organization.

"We welcome DeRetta to the Braves organization and are excited to have her continue to build upon the great environment and culture we have developed here," said Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller. "Her vast experience and knowledge will be relied upon to manage all aspects of Human Resources for the Braves, the Braves Development Company and our minor league teams and she will be an instrumental member of our executive team."   

Rhodes received her undergraduate degree in hotel/restaurant management from the University of Georgia. She went on to receive a Masters in Business Administration, Marketing from Clark Atlanta University and her Ph.D. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.

She began her career with YUM! Brand and had additional stops at ADP, Ernst and Young, Turner Broadcasting and First Data. Rhodes also served as an adjunct professor at Clark Atlanta University, teaching leadership and professional development in their business school.

A Kansas City native, Rhodes has also served in the Metro Atlanta community, in various board member roles and activities, most recently: HR People + Strategy, Member (2016 - Present), Human Resource Leadership Forum (HRLF), Member (2016 - Present), SHRM Atlanta, Board Member (2017 - Present), TedX UGA Speaker (March 2018).  

She recently completed the Women of Excellence, Class of 2018 and is currently an HR Advisory Board member for Argyle.

Rhodes and her husband Leon reside in Cumming, Georgia and have three sons, Cole, Austin and Jordan.