Seated (from left to right): Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, Melanie Winfield, Monnikka Madison, Faith P. Leach, Vanessa Weatherington
Standing (from left to right): Doris Holley, Courtney Snowden, Paris Perrault Tillery
Photo credit: Joshua Fernandez - photographer

In these closing days of Women’s History Month, we continue to recognize and thank the women around us who are impacting tremendous change. Our current spotlight: Washington, D.C. In a town where many people focus on the power flowing from the federal government, there is another veritable power current operating: a female-fed force within the D.C. government. In some cases they’re not just the power behind the throne - they represent the throne, itself, enabling thousands of people to be their best.

The eight women highlighted in this article are putting the “human” back in far more than human resources. They are providing innumerable opportunities for growth and advancement to countless people. For this group - ranging from a Deputy Mayor to an State Labor Chief to a Chief of Staff and other determined managers - the District of Columbia is far more than a place to work. It is a place to change lives.

Courtney Snowden is the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity. Inspired eyes recognize her as a positive force for change within the District and a prime promoter of the city’s unique advantages. Her frequent message to the business community: Washington D.C. is open and more than ready for your business to set up shop. She was once a high-powered lobbyist and political strategist. Today, through her work on economic opportunity, Washington, D.C. has become one of the top places - she would argue the number one place - to work in the country. She has helped attract premier companies, including Yelp and Uber. At the same time, Ms. Snowden is passionate about leveling the playing fields of opportunity to the benefit of all.

It’s impossible to talk about greater economic opportunities without giving a nod to Faith P. Leach, the Chief of Staff in Snowden’s office. Her post falls within the Executive Office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Leach moves levers to bring economic opportunity to District communities not seeing enough of it. For example, Uber’s opening of an operation in the city’s Ward 7 - an 8,200-square-feet support hub for drivers - bears Leach’s professional imprint. That project will bring dozens of jobs and millions of dollars in investment to that community. Leach also helps develop innovative training programs to spur and maintain a ready workforce and to develop small businesses. And as if her portfolio weren’t full enough, Ms. Leach also helps provide job opportunities to District jobseekers, helps close catalytic development deals, and helps women and minority entrepreneurs find more contracting opportunities.

Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes is the Interim Director of The Washington D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES).  To most of us, her role is akin to that of a State Labor Commissioner. Through innumerable responsibilities, Dr. Morris-Hughes helps train, assist - and frequently empower - District jobseekers, those already employed, those out of work needing unemployment compensation, companies and organizations looking for talent, young people, and workers needing paid family medical leave, among others. Tasked with everything from financial management to innovation, Dr. Morris-Hughes presides over a $150 million budget of combined federal and local funds. Twice, she’s led headline-making turnaround efforts on behalf of the District. That and her success in other posts around the city have earned her a permanent spot atop D.C.’s talent pool. Her team is top notch and her leadership style is one of collaboration, not separation.

Doris Holley is the Chief Information Officer for DOES, working closely with Dr. Morris-Hughes. In an industry often dominated by men, she stands out in this leadership role.

The agency’s Deputy Director of Workforce Development is Melanie D. Winfield.  In her role, she spearheads the agency’s workforce development efforts. Often found working behind the scenes, Ms. Winfield is a critical bridge between jobseekers and job providers. Recently, Ms. Winfield has played a major role in the new D.C. Infrastructure Academy. It brings specialized training and programs to D.C. residents, thereby creating roads to high-paying and highly-sought-after jobs in the infrastructure industry.

Associate Director for American Job Center Operations, Vanessa Weatherington, leads a team that is constantly eyeing more training services for Washingtonians and constantly working to expand the pool of talent within the city. With the District often recognized as one of the top places to work in the U.S., Ms. Weatherington’s talents - and her talented team - consistently bring new ideas and innovations to the forefront.

Also located within DOES is the Office of Paid Family Leave. Monnikka Madison is its Associate Director. Her job – and her goal – is to establish a paid family leave model second to none. The results of her tireless efforts will directly impact many groups within the workforce: from new parents to those requiring time from work to care for ailing loved ones, and others.  At a time when these issues are so important, the work of Ms. Madison’s office is putting the “human” back into humanity.

And last, but certainly not least, is Paris Perrault Tillery, the Associate Director for the Division of State Initiatives. Ms. Tillery spends bulks of time helping people who are trying to overcome barriers to gaining and maintaining employment. Within that group are District residents who’d previously been incarcerated, members of the transgender community, senior citizens and District youth who are overwhelmingly exposed to violence within their communities. Helping people who have been told “no” time and time again is a source of professional joy for Ms. Tillery.

These leaders are driven by a sense of professional accomplishment and passion for what they do each day in the nation’s capital. From educational change to workforce change to helping local youth achieve far more than they ever thought possible, they are enabling growth and determination throughout the city.