Colleen Martin: Driving Organizational Change and Strengthening the Employee Experience

Colleen Martin brings more than 20 years of public sector leadership experience to her current role as director of human resources and risk management with the City of Angleton, Texas.

Martin, who holds a master’s degree in human resource management from Capella University, has spent these last two-plus decades “transforming public sector organizations through modern workforce practices, culture enhancement and operational excellence,” she says.

“My career has been defined by building high‑performing HR infrastructures from the ground up, driving organizational change and strengthening the employee experience, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and regulatory compliance,” says Martin,

In her current role with the City of Angleton, Martin oversees HR, benefits, risk management, deferred compensation, and time and attendance, while partnering with executive leadership and City Council to align workforce strategies and long-term organizational goals.

It was the chance to tackle such wide-ranging tasks, and acquire new skills in the process, that initially led Martin to the human resource function.

“Throughout my career, I’ve handled more and more HR,” says Martin, who has also served as HR, risk and benefits manager with the City of Pearland, Texas, and director of employee benefits and wellness with Galena Park Independent School District in Houston.

“And, having worked most of it in the public sector, I thought it was a natural fit to focus on HR there, where I could share my knowledge not only of HR, but of benefits and risk management.”

Throughout her career in municipal government, Martin has thrived in environments “where thoughtful policy, sound governance and people-centered strategy intersect to create meaningful organizational impact.”

Martin became a PSHRA member in July 2019, in search of like-minded peers in public sector HR.

“I joined PSHRA to network with other public entities, find great ideas from other cities and seek out more experienced HR members who can offer a different perspective,” says Martin. “Being able to do so has been invaluable.”

“PSHRA has offered classes webinars and discussions that I would not have found elsewhere,” she says, “with a diverse group of people from across the country, which has helped me work towards my goal of continually improving my skills and myself.

When she considers her future, Martin would like to continue her career in local government, gaining more hands-on experience in labor relations.

“My passion,” she says, “lies in helping public entities evolve their workforce practices, strengthen leadership capability and build a culture where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to serve their communities.”