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Welcoming Katherine Archuleta, the First Latina Director of the Office of Personnel Management

Summary: 
Katherine Archuleta is sworn-in as the 10th Director of the Office of Personnel Management, the first Latina to serve as the Federal government’s personnel chief.

This morning, Katherine Archuleta was sworn-in as the 10th Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and will serve as the Federal government’s personnel chief. She will be the first Latina to hold this position. Katherine shares President Obama’s vision for diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce, which the President said helps “create more effective policymaking and better decision-making [for me], because it brings different perspectives to the table.”

OPM is uniquely positioned to have a significant influence on the face of the federal government, welcoming people from all backgrounds and utilizing their talents to have a positive impact on our communities. When we draw on the wisdom of a workforce that reflects the population we serve, we are better able to understand and meet the needs of our customers-the American people.

For example, OPM has recognized and acknowledged the underrepresentation of Hispanics in the federal work force, and the potential and talent they have to offer.  OPM has made it a point to expand outreach and recruitment within the Hispanic community, as well as with veterans, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to ensure everyone at federal agencies receives equal opportunities to advance in their career. 

Government-wide, we have made important progress toward hiring a workforce that truly reflects America's diversity, and we will continue to pursue that goal. As the Director of OPM, Katherine will lead an agency of more than 5000 employees. Together she and her team are responsible for the government’s efforts to recruit, retain and honor a world-class workforce of more than 2 million people working in communities and neighborhoods throughout this country.

Katherine has very deep historic roots in Colorado and in the Latino community. Her family has been in Colorado since the 1600s. Katherine also worked as the National Political Director for President Obama’s reelection campaign, where she traveled around the country listening to the many issues facing Americans. She spent two years as the Chief of Staff at the Department of Labor under the leadership of former-Secretary Hilda Solis, and prior to her service in the Obama Administration; she was a senior advisor to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper on policy and initiatives. 

Among her many accomplishments, Katherine served as the Executive Director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation, worked as the director of professional services for a Denver law firm, and cofounded the Center for Regional and Neighborhood Action.  During her tenure in the Clinton Administration, she served as a senior advisor to Secretary Federico Peña at the Department of Energy, and as his Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of Transportation. 

With her breadth of experience as an educator, public administrator, and community leader, Katherine Archuleta possesses an abundance of skills to bring talented people together with different ideas and fresh perspectives to strengthen our federal workforce. As Katherine said “[t]he complex and important work of government requires a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of the many important perspectives, talents, and backgrounds of our great Nation.  I am committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce to serve the American people,” and we are thrilled to have her join our team. Welcome Katherine Archuleta!