Reflecting on her career so far, Jenni Reyes says that human resources “never chose me overnight.”
Rather, the profession “called me one opportunity at a time,” says Reyes, a human resources analyst trainee with the City of Hollywood, Fla.
“Every position I accepted, every challenge I faced and every person I had the privilege of serving shaped the HR professional I am today,” she says. “What began as a career became a purpose: helping people build better futures through public service.”
Reyes joined the City of Hollywood as an HR technician in August 2025, before moving into her current role two months later. Before making the move to Hollywood, she was a human resources business partner with the City of Riviera Beach, Fla. Reyes served in a similar position with the City of Boynton Beach, Fla., from August 2022 to August 2023.
At each stop in her public service journey, Reyes has gained a better understanding of what HR represents within an organization.
“When people hear ‘human resources,’ they often think about policies, compliance and paperwork,” says Reyes, who earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources management from National American University in 2022.
“While those responsibilities matter, I have learned that the true heart of HR is people. Behind every application is someone hoping for an opportunity. Behind every new hire is a family celebrating a fresh start. Behind every promotion is years of hard work finally recognized. I have the privilege of being part of those moments, and I never take that responsibility lightly.”
Reyes has worked in the private sector as well, serving as a human resources generalist with Berry Global Inc., and as a bilingual HR assistant with the TJX Companies in Evansville, Ind., for example.
Local government, however, “is where I found my calling,” says Reyes, who is on track to complete her master’s degree in human resources management/personnel administration at the University of Southern Indiana in December 2026.
“Serving municipalities has shown me that the work completed inside human resources reaches far beyond City Hall. Every police officer protecting a neighborhood, every firefighter responding to an emergency, every public works employee maintaining our streets and every employee serving residents begins their journey with HR.”
Knowing that her work in HR has helped build those teams of public servants “gives meaning to every task, whether visible or behind the scenes,” she says.
Reyes encourages development in her public sector teammates, and she says that professional growth “is something I expect from myself” as well.
Joining PSHRA as a member has been a natural extension of her commitment to the HR profession, says Reyes, who became a member in July 2025.
“Being surrounded by professionals who are passionate about ethical leadership, innovation and public service reminds me that none of us grows alone. Together we strengthen our profession, support one another and ultimately improve the communities we serve,” she says.
“As PSHRA celebrates 120 years, I am honored to be part of a profession that quietly changes lives every single day.”
While noting that her HR story is still being written, Reyes says her mission remains the same: to lead with integrity, serve with compassion, continue learning and leave every organization better than she found it.
“If I can help one person feel valued, open one door of opportunity or inspire someone to become the best version of themselves, then I know my work has made a lasting impact.”
15 July 2026
Category
Stories of Impact
