Employee Relations Team
David LaChappelle
Director, Employee & Labor Relations, Human Resources
774-455-4827
david.lachappelle@umassmed.edu
David LaChappelle is the Director of Employee Relations. He has extensive experience in employee and labor relations matters. Most recently, he worked as Associate Counsel, Labor, at the University of Massachusetts Office of the General Counsel where he provided legal advice for the University’s Amherst and Medical School campuses. He provided legal advice on a wide variety of complex labor and employment legal issues, including negotiation strategy, bargaining obligations, and compliance matters.
Before moving to his role at the Office of the General Counsel, he worked here in UMMS Human Resources as the Assistant Director of Employee & Labor Relations where he directed day-to-day operations. Dave also led a team of Employee Relations Consultants in providing strategic consulting to UMMS leaders and managers regarding employee relations matters. Prior to that role, he was our Senior Labor Relations Consultant and worked as lead negotiator for UMMS in collective bargaining negotiations.
Before his roles at the University, Dave worked as Counsel at a number of organizations including the City of Boston's Office of Labor Relations. While his role at UMMS keeps him very busy, when he is not working, he enjoys fishing, hiking and spending time with his wife and young son.
Please click here to access the Employee Relations Team Medical School Assignments
Paul C. Smith, J.D.
Manager, Employee Relations, Investigations & HR Compliance
508-856-1284
Paul.Smith@umassmed.edu
Paul Smith is the Manager of Employee Relations, Investigations & HR Compliance in the Human Resources Office of the Employee Relations department. Smith has worked extensively in labor and employee relations for over 20 years, including working as an employment attorney in private practice, as well as government and corporate positions. Prior to joining UMMS, Smith has worked in higher education as an employee relations consultant at Northeastern University and Northern Arizona University. Smith is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and Boston University School of Law.
Jeffery G. Matthews
Employee Relations Consultant
508-856-5787
jeffery.matthews@umassmed.edu
Jeffery Matthews has served as an Employee Relations Consultant, in the Human Resources Office of Employee Relations for the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) since June 2012. Prior to joining the Human Resources Department, Matthews served as a Diversity Consultant at UMMS for 2 years. Matthews’ experience includes serving as HR Manager at Hanover Insurance for 19 years and has over 25 years of employee relations experience. Matthews holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Becker College.
Matthew Lyford, J.D.
Senior Labor Strategy Consultant
508-856-4194
Matthew.Lyford@umassmed.edu
Matthew Lyford is the Senior Labor Strategy Consultant in the Human Resources Office of Employee Relations department. Matthew serves as the main representative of UMMS to union officials pertaining to management decisions, personnel matters, and collective bargaining negotiations. In this role, Matthew brings valuable experience in labor and employment matters. Prior to joining UMMS, Matthew’s experience includes serving as Staff Representative for SEIU Local 1199, a Law Clerk for the Massachusetts Superior Court, and a legal intern to the City of Boston Office of Labor Relations. Matthew is a graduate of the New England School of Law.
Allison Atwood
Employee Relations Consultant
508-856-2160
Allison.Atwood@umassmed.edu
Allison Atwood has recently joined the Human Resources Office of Employee Relations for the University of Massachusetts Medical School as an Employee Relations Consultant. Atwood previously worked at various health care agencies around Massachusetts with extensive Employee Relations experience as well as worker’s compensation and leave of absence experience spanning the last 11 years, most recently at Riverside Community Care in Dedham, Mercer in Norwood and South Shore Hospital in Norwood. Atwood is a graduate of UMass Dartmouth, Charlton School of Business.
Bonnie Kumar
Human Resources Manager - Boston
617-886-8305
bonnie.kumar@umassmed.edu
Bonnie Kumar has served as the Human Resources Manager, in the Human Resources Office of Employee Relations for the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) since March of 2016, prior to that she was the Recruiting Manager at MassBiologics. In this role, she brings extensive experience in Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Education and Training along with Customer Care. Prior to joining UMMS, Bonnie was a National Dentist Recruiter responsible for the full life cycle recruiting for 9 different states. Bonnie has over 10 years of Talent Acquisition and Employee Relations experience and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Please click here to access the Employee Relations Team Medical School Assignments