Corina Chavez Ramsey
Corina Chavez Ramsey is a senior public-sector HR executive and workforce strategist with nearly three decades of experience leading complex employee relations, compliance, and organizational initiatives. As Assistant Human Resources Director for the City of Phoenix, she helps the organization navigate high-stakes workplace challenges with clarity, accountability, and a people-first approach.
Known for her direct leadership style and ability to simplify complex issues, Corina built her career through persistence, resilience, and a commitment to doing hard things well. She has earned a reputation as a trusted leader in high-pressure environments where thoughtful decision-making matters.
Beyond public service, Corina is building consulting ventures focused on supporting small businesses and nonprofits while remaining deeply committed to mentorship, education, and community impact. She previously served as President of the Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board and has been recognized as one of Arizona’s Most Influential Women in Business, included in Women to KNOW in Arizona, and honored with the Hispanic Leadership Institute’s Impact Award.
• Human Resources Certificate
• University of Phoenix
• NALEO, Biennual National Institute for Newly Elected Officials
• Most Influential Women in Business in Arizona 2024
• Valle de Sol Hispanic Leadership Institute Impact Award
• Women to KNOW – Arizona (Inaugural Volume One, 2026)
• Jobs for Arizona Graduates
• NALEO, National Association for Latino Elected and Appointed Offiicials
What do you attribute your success to?
I think my success comes from never believing my circumstances were my final story. I grew up with very little and became pregnant as a teenager, which led me to drop out of high school. I went back a year later because I knew I wanted more for my life.
From there, I worked hard for every opportunity I’ve had and never assumed anything would be handed to me. I’ve always been passionate about helping people, but I’m most fulfilled when I can create opportunities for others through leadership, mentorship, and service.
Impact is what drives me. Whether it’s for my family, my community, or someone I may never personally know, if I can create meaningful change in someone’s life, I feel like I’ve done something worthwhile.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I think my success comes from never believing my circumstances were my final story. I grew up with very little and became pregnant as a teenager, which led me to drop out of high school. I went back a year later because I knew I wanted more for my life.
From there, I worked hard for every opportunity I’ve had and never assumed anything would be handed to me. I’ve always been passionate about helping people, but I’m most fulfilled when I can create opportunities for others through leadership, mentorship, and service.
Impact is what drives me. Whether it’s for my family, my community, or someone I may never personally know, if I can create meaningful change in someone’s life, I feel like I’ve done something worthwhile.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
First, stay true to yourself and don’t hide behind your title. In HR, people can get so focused on policy and compliance that they forget the first word in HR is human. Yes, there’s a legal side and a business side but at the end of the day, you’re dealing with people and real lives. Never lose sight of that.
I’d also tell young women to learn how to balance both strategy and execution. I always say leadership feels like playing checkers and chess at the same time. Checkers is handling the day-to-day issues in front of you. Chess is building relationships, thinking long-term, and positioning yourself to create bigger change over time. You need both.
And lastly, don’t shrink yourself. Speak up, trust your instincts, and remember you don’t have to lead like anyone else to be effective.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in public-sector HR is balancing people, policy, and constantly changing leadership priorities. Unlike the private sector, public organizations often operate with more red tape, multiple stakeholders, and leadership changes tied to election cycles which can shift priorities every few years.
The challenge is creating systems that stay consistent and protect employees while still adapting to new leadership expectations and organizational needs. That balance isn’t always easy.
At the same time, I see a huge opportunity for HR leaders to modernize how we work. We have the chance to simplify processes, build more trust with employees, and create workplaces that are both compliant and genuinely people centered.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity, accountability, and resilience are probably the values that guide both my work and personal life. I’ve never been good at being someone I’m not, and I don’t believe in fake relationships or performative networking. I value real people, real conversations, and leading in a way that feels genuine to who I am.
Accountability matters deeply to me too. If I make a mistake, I believe in owning it, learning from it, and moving forward. I respect people who do the same.
And resilience has shaped every chapter of my life. Life will humble all of us at some point. In 2025, I lost four family members and it was one of the hardest seasons of my life. But I’ve learned that strength doesn’t mean pretending you’re okay. It means continuing to move forward, even when life gets heavy.