LaToyia Wilson

I attribute my success to my mother. She's always been the biggest cheerleader for me, always telling me to get out there. You don't have to prove yourself, you show up authentically as yourself and allow people to gravitate to that. That's always been her motto for me. I attribute a lot of my success, educational and personal, just within the workforce to my mother, because she's always pushed me to go further. You know, continue moving that bar, continue moving that line until you yourself are satisfied. It doesn't matter what society thinks. What do you think?

The best career advice I ever received was simple: don’t think small. Believe in yourself and never hesitate to make room for yourself, because you belong in the spaces you walk into. Carry yourself with confidence, hold your head high, and speak clearly and with intention. Your perspective matters, and your voice deserves to be heard.

Hold space for yourself. Believe in your voice and never be afraid to pull up a chair. Throughout my career, especially as an African American woman in this field, I’ve seen how easy it can be for us to undersell ourselves or question whether we truly belong in certain spaces. Too often we wait to be invited or validated before we allow ourselves to fully step into our power.

One thing I always try to share with young women entering the workforce is this, you deserve to be there. Your perspective, your experience, and your voice matter. If you ever feel like there isn’t enough room at the table, don’t shrink back—make room. There is space for us, and sometimes leadership simply means having the courage to claim it.

In Human Resources, especially within public service, I believe the biggest challenge and opportunity right now is building systems that employees actually trust. Organizations are navigating increased expectations around transparency, fairness, and accountability, while also managing complex workforce expectations, and limited resources. Employees want to know that policies are applied consistently, that their voices are heard, and that leadership is making decisions with integrity.

At the same time, this moment presents a real opportunity for HR leaders to strengthen how organizations operate. Human resources is no longer just administrative, in my opinion, it plays a strategic role in shaping culture, guiding leaders through difficult decisions, and ensuring workplaces remain both legally compliant and people-centered. When done well, HR can create environments where employees feel supported, where leadership is accountable, and where organizations are better positioned to serve their communities.

For me, the opportunity lies in helping organizations build fair and sustainable people systems—systems that support employees while also advancing the mission of public service. When HR operates with clarity, compassion, and strong governance, it strengthens the entire organization.

The values that guide me personally and professionally are centered around integrity, fairness, and service to others. I believe in doing what is right even when it is not the easiest path, and that principle shapes how I approach leadership, decision-making, and relationships in the workplace.

Integrity is the core of everything I do. In human resources, people rely on you to be fair, honest, and consistent. I take that responsibility seriously and work to ensure that policies and decisions are grounded in ethics, transparency, and accountability.

Equity and fairness are also important to me. I believe organizations function best when employees feel respected, heard, and treated consistently. My work focuses on creating systems and practices that allow people to succeed while ensuring that processes are applied thoughtfully and responsibly.

Finally, I value service and community impact. Public service has always been meaningful to me because the work we do ultimately affects people’s lives beyond the workplace. Supporting employees, strengthening organizations, and contributing to healthier communities is what motivates me every day.

At the end of the day, I try to lead with compassion, thoughtful judgment, and a commitment to doing work that truly makes a difference.