2023 DHRM HR Conference, Accelerating State HR: Creating and Maintaining a Best-in-Class Workforce  

We are pleased to announce that registration has opened for the 2023 DHRM HR Conference. The conference will be held November 29-30 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. This dynamic, two-day event will bring together all levels of state HR professionals and Safety Officers, featuring informative sessions, applied best-in-class examples, and motivational keynote speakers. Be sure to register and share this information with your respective staff. Registration and more information can be found here.

Janet L. Lawson, DHRM Director

Register for the upcoming webinar: A Review of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 

Agency HR Professionals should attend this overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Thursday October 19 at 11am. Don't miss out on the opportunity for a refresher. Register here! 

VDH National Preparedness Month- Emergency Kit E-Cookbook is available!

Employees from State agencies share delicious recipes prepared using only non ingredients and manual appliances. The loss of power doesn't have to equal loss of taste! Check it out here.

Changes for the Change-Maker!

Rue Collins White, DHRM Chief Deputy Director

Throughout her 49-1/2 years of public service to the Commonwealth, Rue has served in 12 HR roles in both line and central state agencies, culminating her career as the Chief Deputy Director of DHRM. Always mindful of the workforce needs of line agencies, evolving employment law, and human resource best practices, she has been at the forefront of pilot programs and change initiatives throughout her career. Her historical knowledge and understanding of how state government works has made her a valued resource to the HR community and successive government administrations in identifying concerns and navigating toward effective solutions.

As the recipient of the Governor’s Career Achievement Award in 2017, she reflected on a few highlights of her career: piloting a program that led to the decentralization of authority for HR functions to the agencies, participation in the Commonwealth’s Reform of the Classification and Compensation System, and participation in the 2007 PEW Center’s Government Performance Project – Grading the States – which yielded a grade of A for Virginia.

Rue has fostered a shift in HR practice from maintaining transactional operations to forging strategic business partnerships and elevating the recognition and value of the HR function. She has led initiatives toward developing meaningful workforce analytics, workforce planning to support organizational strategic objectives, enhancing diversity, and promoting greater inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce.

On November 1, this change-maker will redirect her dedication and energy from central state government to her next chapter. There will be an office stripped of multiple calendars hanging on the wall, a few memorabilia collections no longer displayed, and a discernible void of petite but very tall energy. Rue will gain time to pursue her love of gardening, all things Egyptian, the study of philosophers, creative writing, movies, and music. We are grateful for her contributions and wish her the best for a healthy and dynamic retirement!