Marquita LeFlore got her first exposure to the HR profession as a human resources assistant with Delta Industries in Jackson, Miss., supporting the HR department’s daily operations and serving as a key point of contact for internal and external HR-related inquiries.
LeFlore worked in that role for more than five years (2015 – 2021), focusing on employee relations, recruitment, compliance and administrative efficiency.
Having previously spent several years in customer service-related positions, LeFlore was certainly a “people person,” but didn’t know at the time that public sector HR could be the path for her.
That changed in no time when she accepted her current position as human resources analyst with the Mississippi State Personnel Board in April 2021.
“I didn’t initially realize that public sector HR would become my calling, but I quickly discovered that it offered the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s careers and in the organizations that serve our communities,” says LeFlore, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Jackson State University.
“Every recruitment, career counseling session and hiring decision has the potential to strengthen public service for the citizens of Mississippi.”
Specializing in career counseling and recruitment, LeFlore’s responsibilities include recruitment, career counseling and supporting state agencies in connecting qualified candidates with public service careers.
The role has taught her that the public sector HR profession “is about much more than policies and procedures,” says LeFlore, who also holds a master of fine arts degree in media design from Full Sail University.
“It’s about connecting talented people with meaningful work, helping employees grow and ensuring government organizations have the workforce they need to serve the public effectively. Knowing that my work contributes to building stronger agencies and better service for our state is what continues to inspire me every day.”
LeFlore’s involvement with PSHRA began in January 2023, when she joined the Mississippi chapter. She became a member-at-large of the chapter in July of that year, and has served as the chapter’s vice president since July 2025.
When she first joined the organization, LeFlore was eager to learn from others who share her passion for the public sector HR profession.
“I quickly discovered that PSHRA is much more than a professional association,” she says.
“It’s a community of leaders who genuinely want to see one another succeed. PSHRA has given me opportunities I never imagined when I first became a member. It has allowed me to grow as both a professional and as a leader, by providing education, networking, mentorship and leadership experiences that have expanded my perspective.”
With a long-term goal of becoming a “transformational leader within public sector human resources,” LeFlore is pursuing her doctor of business administration with a concentration human resources, “because I believe lifelong learning strengthens our ability to serve others.”
LeFlore also hopes to continue providing support and leadership for her peers within PSHRA.
“Ultimately, I want to mentor future HR professionals and leave the profession stronger than I found it.”
Public sector HR “isn’t simply the work I do,” concludes LeFlore.
“It’s how I choose to serve. Every opportunity to help someone begin a career, advance professionally or find purpose in public service creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the workplace. I’m honored to be part of that impact, and I’m excited to help shape the next generation of public sector HR through leadership, innovation and service.”
05 August 2026
Category
Stories of Impact
