Margie Williamson
Margie Williamson is a veteran Human Resources professional with a career spanning over three decades, beginning in 1993. She currently serves as Deputy Administrator for Human Resources Operations at Shelby County Government, where she oversees critical functions including recruitment, compensation, and training and development. Known for her expertise in employee relations, engagement, and organizational development, Margie is passionate about creating workplaces that foster growth, inclusivity, and productivity. Her approach combines strategic HR leadership with a personal commitment to mentoring and developing emerging HR talent.
Prior to her current role, Margie held multiple leadership positions at the University of Memphis, including Senior Director of Human Resources, Director of Employee Relations and Engagement, and Director of Employment and Employee Relations. In these roles, she led large-scale initiatives in performance management, employee recognition, engagement surveys, and professional development, while coaching staff and administrators on conflict resolution and organizational effectiveness. She also served as Assistant Vice President and Employment Services Specialist at Union Planters Bank, managing talent acquisition, training, succession planning, and employee development programs. Across every role, Margie has focused on fostering trust, integrity, and open communication as the foundation for high-performing teams.
Margie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Memphis (1988) and is a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certified through the Society for Human Resource Management. What she values most in her career is mentoring the next generation of HR professionals, guiding them to grow in confidence and capability, just as others once guided her. Margie’s leadership philosophy centers on trust, integrity, and accessibility, ensuring that she is always available to support, coach, and empower those she works with, both professionally and personally.
• Professional in Human Resources through the Society for Human Resources Management
• University of Memphis - BA, Communications
• Society for Human Resources Management
What do you attribute your success to?
I think being open and honest is what has driven my success. I make myself available to those that I mentor and whom I come in contact with. I believe that transparency and accessibility are key to building the kind of trust that allows people to grow and develop in their careers. When you're open with people and give them your time and attention, that's when real growth happens, both for them and for you as a leader.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from my mentor early in my HR career. She sat down on top of my desk and said to me to read everything that came across my desk. As an HR professional, I was shown to read everything, to self-educate, along with additional professional development. Because confidentiality is key in human resources, reading was the key thing in the success of my HR career. You have to educate yourself constantly because so much of what we handle is confidential, and you need to be well-informed to handle it properly.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think the most important thing is to enjoy the human resources field. Whichever area excites you, whether it's benefits, employee relations, or recruitment, enjoy it. Because as long as you enjoy what you do, you're going to give 110%, always. Find the area that speaks to you and throw yourself into it with passion and commitment. When you love what you do, that enthusiasm shows through in everything you accomplish.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think some of the biggest challenges might be some of the restrictions that we run up against. Oftentimes, in the area of employee relations, when investigations are underway, sometimes you hit a bump in the road which you're unable to overcome, and you have to try to figure out how does that fit into the end result. In investigations, whether it's sexual harassment or whether it's wrongful termination, you have to figure out how all of the pieces fit together in order to reach a successful outcome. It's about navigating those obstacles and still finding a way to get to the truth and the right resolution.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe trust and integrity are the two most valuable things in both my professional and personal life. I think without trust, you're not able to move forward, whether it's professionally or in the work environment. Trust is the foundation of everything I do. It's what allows me to build meaningful relationships with the people I mentor, with my colleagues, and in my personal life as well. Without that foundation of trust and integrity, nothing else really matters.