Governor Maura Healey has appointed Melissa Pullin to helm the Human Resources Division (HRD) as the Chief Human Resources Officer, a move that highlights the administration's ongoing commitment to enriching its workforce. Pullin, an individual carrying over three decades of public service experience, steps into a role where she has formerly been acting as Interim Chief Human Resources Officer, according to a Massachusetts government announcement.
Under her interim leadership, Pullin's notable efforts included executing a skills-based hiring initiative, and policy, renegotiating collective bargaining agreements that sought a balance of fairness, and unrolled a civil service recruitment drive to diversify the police workforce. "Our best-in-class state workforce is the key to the success of every one of our administration’s efforts to make Massachusetts more competitive, equitable, and affordable," Healey stated, indicating the administration's priorities, as reported by the Massachusetts government. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added that Pullin is "accomplished in their fields and driven to better the lives of Massachusetts families and individuals."
Melissa Pullin’s rise to this critical position within the executive branch follows a varied career in the public sector. Previously, she held the position of Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer at HRD, served as Chief of Staff in the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), and was Director of the Office of Massachusetts Client Relations at Commonwealth Medicine, now known as ForHealth Consulting. Her work has garnered recognition, including the Manuel Carballo Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service in 2018, for her contributions to supporting Hurricane Maria evacuees.
As the new Chief Human Resources Officer, Pullin expressed her commitment by stating, "It is an honor to lead the talented HRD team in our work to shape, support, and energize the Healey-Driscoll administration’s workforce," as noted in the Massachusetts government announcement. She is responsible for managing a substantial workforce, as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department employs over 45,000 individuals across healthcare, transportation, education, public safety, and technology sectors. HRD itself provides wide-ranging support for state agencies, including learning opportunities and maintaining inclusive, safe, and productive workplaces.
The embrace of innovation and strategic leadership rides tandem with Pullin's vision for the future of HRD, as she endeavors to enliven the state's workforce with contemporary HR tools and policies. With a record of leadership and a focus on inclusive policies and practices, her tenure is set to build upon the foundational principles established during her interim post and guide Massachusetts' public service workforce into the next chapter of efficacy and diversity.
