My transition to the Pacific Northwest was driven by the unique opportunity to serve as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Multnomah County. After over two decades of leading large-scale human resources functions in various sectors, including my time as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Seattle’s Department of Transportation, I felt a strong call to bring my expertise in workforce strategy, fiscal responsibility, and public accountability to this region. Portland offers a professional landscape where I can apply my experience in managing complex HR infrastructures—overseeing everything from labor relations to asset management—to help a county government thrive during times of change. Ultimately, I am here because I am a disciplined public servant dedicated to aligning people strategy with a mission-driven organization that prioritizes community service
Right now, what I need most from the community is active engagement and partnership in our shared goals. In my role, I am deeply committed to the County’s vision of a thriving, diverse community where everyone is safe and connected. However, our internal data shows that we currently lack a consistent mechanism to gather and respond to community concerns effectively. To build a truly equitable and responsive workplace culture, I need the community to help us break down the silos between government and the residents we serve. I want to hear your feedback on how our services—and the people providing them—can better reflect your values and needs.
As I settle into this role, I am eager to establish transformational relationships across several key areas: * Labor and Workforce Partners: Building trust and transparency with our local unions to ensure our operational and financial interests are safeguarded while supporting our employees. * Minority and Culturally Specific Organizations: Continuing my history of partnering with national and local minority organizations to strengthen our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. * Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): Facilitating forums where CBOs can co-create solutions with County departments to deliver more equitable services. * Youth and Education Advocates: Supporting the "One County" priority of creating a coordinated and effective system for youth and families. I am particularly interested in connections that foster cross-government collaboration, allowing us to navigate policy shifts and budgetary impacts together to maintain a stable, thriving local economy.
