Public sector HR wasn’t necessarily where Penny Reed set out to be.
Rather, government human resources “somehow found its way into my life,” says Reed, a senior human resources analyst with Gloucester County, Va., “like a destiny I didn’t fully understand at first.”
The public sector might not have been on Reed’s radar when she graduated from Friends University. But the HR suite certainly was. Reed earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources management and services from the Wichita, Ks.-based university in 1998. And the California native knew she wanted to be of service to her home state.
“I’ve always been drawn to serving the state, through every place I’ve called home, through every chapter of my life,” says Reed, who also holds a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Phoenix. “After working for various non-profits, I instinctively returned to the familiar embrace of [state government].”
In 2020, Reed was working in an HR role with the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC)—Virginia’s largest state agency by employee count—when she applied for the senior HR analyst role with Gloucester County. She was hesitant to leave the DOC, but couldn’t turn down a chance to get closer to her hometown roots.
“The truth is, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the state government, and it was my unwavering employment preference,” says Reed.
“During that virtual interview, with six panel members looking back at me, I couldn’t help but ask myself, ‘Where have I applied? Is this for real?’ All I knew was that this opportunity was closer to home than I’d been in years, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ I’ve got nothing to lose.’”
Reed officially stepped into the position in February 2021. She knew immediately that she had made the right choice.
“This move has been nothing short of transformative. I cherish the intimacy here, the sense that I’m truly known, where I’m not just another face in the crowd, but someone who matters.”
And, as the 452-employee organization’s only recruiter, she’s “not just filling positions,” she says.
“I’m fostering a community where everyone’s name matters; where I feel a genuine connection with my co-workers. And, honestly, there’s a beautiful pride that comes with knowing I’ve become a vital part of something meaningful; something that feels like home.”
Reed has established the same connection, and has felt the same sense of community, with her peers in PSHRA since becoming a member in June 2022.
“I chose to join PSHRA because I am driven by an unwavering passion and a deep sense of loyalty to the human resources profession,” says Reed, who also holds a PSHRA-SCP certification.
“Because of everything PSHRA has provided—whether it’s the enriching webinars that fuel my growth or the conferences that ignite my passion—I honestly believe I am a better, more confident HR professional today than I have ever been,” she says.
Reed ultimately dreams of following a career path that allows her to continue building and nurturing employee relations, championing diversity and inclusion, or becoming an HR consultant dedicated to transforming workplaces.
“For me, work isn’t just a daily obligation. It’s an opportunity to serve, to uplift and to inspire. When you find joy in what you do, it’s not just a job: it’s a purpose-driven journey to bring light and positivity into the lives of others.”
02 June 2026
Category
Stories of Impact
