Ramsey County has officially chosen Catrice O’Neal as the new leader for their workforce development efforts. She will helm the Workforce Solutions department and concurrently serve as the executive director of the Workforce Innovation Board starting January 6, 2025, bringing her extensive experience to the forefront of economic growth and community investment, notably after her transformative work in Brooklyn Park, which saw a marked increase in revenue and notable legislative appropriations for workforce initiatives.
In her upcoming role with Ramsey County, O’Neal will be juggling a $23 million budget and supervising around 80 staff members to deliver services designed to invigorate Ramsey County's economic landscape through employment service programs offered both by the county and by partnering entities, her appointment is expected to connect county's residents with greater employment opportunities and provide pivotal support to local businesses, according to a statement published on the county’s official website.
"We are excited to welcome Catrice O’Neal to Ramsey County,” said Deputy County Manager of Economic Growth and Community Investment Kari Collins, highlighting O’Neal's reputation for driving innovation and her unyielding commitment to equity, deemed critical for the expansion of productive opportunities for residents and businesses alike. Collins's remarks evidencing high expectations for O’Neal's tenure were featured as part of the county’s announcement.
Before securing this new appointment, O’Neal made waves in Brooklyn Park by originating their Workforce Development division and successfully driving up revenue from a modest $300,000 to an impressive $1 million plus, she proactively championed equitable hiring practices and strategically directed funds to broaden job training and education initiatives in collaboration with the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth, her achievements were detailed in the county’s announcement, spotlighting her multifaceted approach to workforce advancement.
O’Neal, who has a background that spans criminal justice, social work, and higher education with degrees from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Saint Catherine University, and Augsburg University, expressed her anticipation of joining the Workforce Solutions team, saying, "I am truly excited about the opportunity to join the Workforce Solutions team to continue making a meaningful impact on our local workforce. " Her remarks resonated with enthusiasm for furthering partnerships and striving towards creating a diverse and fair workforce ecosystem across Ramsey County, as per her statement published on Ramsey County's official website.
