Cornel van der Watt serves as vice president of human resources for the Oshkosh Transport segment. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for the organization, including talent management, organizational development, team member engagement, labor relations, and HR programs.
Prior to joining Oshkosh, van der Watt served as human resources director at Caterpillar Inc. for the Building Construction Products Division, where she led the division’s people organization and strategy, including HR, communications and environmental health, and safety.
van der Watt brings more than 20 years of global human resources experience across a variety of industries, including petrochemical, construction, food manufacturing, and cosmetics. She has extensive expertise in workforce planning, organizational design, and developing talent strategies that drive team member engagement and organizational effectiveness.
Originally from South Africa, van der Watt and her family relocated to the United States in 2013. Her global experiences and leadership approach provide a unique perspective on building high-performing teams and fostering strong cultures that drive business results and meaningful team member experiences.