Kevin Vilke

Kevin Vilke is the SVP, Chief People Officer for Empire State Realty Trust. As CPO, Mr. Vilke oversees the Human Resources department and acts as the strategic partner to the Management Committee on all human capital needs.
He is responsible for the attraction, development and engagement of all employees of ESRT as well as creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment where everyone can achieve their best. Mr. Vilke previously served as SVP, Human Resources for Seritage Growth Properties, a national REIT where he built the internal Human Resources function and helped lead its ESG initiatives.
Prior to that, he led HR for 12 years at Barnes & Noble for its 700+ stores and 23,000 employees where he acted as the strategic advisor to the field leadership team and internal corporate functions, launched five full-service restaurants, and helped them reach their first 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. He was also instrumental in helping two prior organizations (Gap and Diageo) reach 100% on the HRC Corporate Equality Index.
Mr. Vilke graduated from University of California, Berkeley summa cum laude with a B.A. in English and with a J.D. from Duke University School of Law. He is certified as a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).