DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Mary Oleksiuk will join Hillshire Brands Co. as chief human resources officer in October, the company announced Sept. 28.

Oleksiuk will oversee the company’s human resources strategy and function, including compensation and benefits, talent management, employee development and organizational design.

"Mary has a strong track record of driving company growth through performance excellence, employee engagement and development while building talent and culture within an organization,” said Sean Connolly, chief executive officer. “This hire completes our management team, and I know Mary will play a key leadership role as we define and enhance our culture, focus on innovation throughout the company and continue to drive toward a successful future.”

Prior to joining Hillshire Brands Oleksiuk was chief human resources officer and senior vice president at Discover Financial Services. Oleksiuk was an executive at the Alberto Culver Company (part of Unilever), where she was the senior vice president, global human resources. She has also worked in human resources at companies such as Limited Brands, Inc., Orbitz, Solucient/Thompson Reuters and Honeywell/AlliedSignal.