Chrissie Walker-Nettles: Making a Commitment to Improve Her Community

Fifteen years ago, Chrissie Walker-Nettles was working as an HR assistant at a local roofing company in Meridian, Miss., when an opportunity with the City of Meridian presented itself.

“I was so excited to work with the local community where I currently reside,” says Walker-Nettles. “My thoughts were that I would help change the outlook that employees have as it related to human resources. I found out that, if you treat another human as a human being, things are usually resolved more easily.”

She stayed in that position for nearly 12 years, helping City employees resolve issues until July 2025, when she took over as the City’s equal opportunity officer.

In this role, Walker-Nettles’ responsibilities include overseeing the City’s employee assistance program, conducting new hire drug screens, coordinating psychological evaluations, producing Title VI and EEO-4 reports, ensuring Civil Service compliance and investigating complaints.

The most satisfying aspect of her role, she says, is “helping employees see things from a different perspective, so they will not lose hope in the process and have their voice heard. And [so they understand] that yes is yes, and no is the opportunity to take a different approach.”

Walker-Nettles first joined PSHRA in August 2015, while she was still the City of Meridian’s human resources director.

She sought out PSHRA because of its sharp focus on the issues that matter most to public sector HR practitioners.

“Because PSHRA deals with the public sector, I felt like it would be to my advantage to join a professional organization that is equipped to handle public sector situations,” says Walker-Nettles, who has served as president of PSHRA’s Mississippi Chapter since July 2025.

Looking ahead, Walker-Nettles hopes to continue connecting with those who share her professional and personal passion for improving their communities.

“[In the future, I’d like] to pour into other likeminded individuals who have a heart and the desire to be fair and consistent, no matter the situation or with whom they are dealing with, whether I am on the job or not,” she says. “Dealing with people and keeping your cup tilted to always pour requires constant improvements to self.”