Regina Youngblood: Public Service as a Way of Life

Regina Youngblood doesn’t remember a time when public service wasn’t part of her life.

“My parents met while working at the main post office in downtown Chicago,” says Youngblood, who took over as director of human resources and risk management for the City of Carson, Calif. in October 2026.

Youngblood’s mother and father both spent their careers with the Postal Service until retirement. Many of her relatives worked for the Postal Service as well, in various roles and locations.

“Growing up, I learned that public service was a noble profession. I watched my parents work hard, demonstrate loyalty and build relationships with co-workers who became more like family,” she says, noting that her Chicago-area home was often a gathering place for both immediate and extended family.

“In my family, public service wasn’t just a job,” says Youngblood. “It was a way of life.”

Youngblood’s entire professional life has been spent in public service, although she didn’t start in human resources.

Her first position was as a military police and corrections specialist with the Illinois Army National Guard. She served in that role from May 1988 to May 1996. She held a number of other public sector positions on her way to the HR suite.

For example, Youngblood—who holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Southern Illinois University—served as a budget analyst with Trinity Metro in Fort Worth, Texas from August 1998 to August 2000. After moving on from Trinity Metro, she was a budget specialist, then a budget coordinator with Dallas Independent School District (ISD).

Her introduction to HR came after transitioning to the role of executive director of quality and performance improvement with Dallas ISD, says Youngblood, who also earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Texas. (She taught economics as an adjunct professor at Wake Technical Community College for more than two years as well.)

“I was asked to use that experience to create an employee service function,” she says.

Youngblood did just that, ultimately serving as the director of employee service for the district from April 2007 to March 2010.

“That opportunity changed the direction of my career, and that led to more than a decade of HR leadership before I moved into city management.”

Indeed, Youngblood moved on to become deputy chief of human resources for the District of Columbia Public Schools from April 2010 to August 2012. She also served as director of human resources for the City of Durham, N.C. and assistant city manager with the City of Hayward, Calif. before joining the City of Carson in October 2026.

“Along the way, I’ve learned that trust is one of the most important ingredients in a successful organization,” she says. “Policies, processes and systems matter, but trust is what keeps the engine running smoothly. When employees trust their leaders and leaders trust their employees, organizations are better positioned to serve their communities.”

Youngblood, who joined PSHRA as a member in October 2026, believes strongly in lifelong learning.

“No matter how much experience we have, we need to keep learning, challenging ourselves and finding better ways to serve. PSHRA represents an opportunity to stay connected to the profession, learn from colleagues who understand the unique challenges of public sector HR and continue growing as leaders.”

Youngblood’s career has taken her through different roles, organizations and communities, “but the commitment to public service that I learned from my parents has remained constant,” she says.

“For me, public service is more than a profession. It’s a family legacy, a responsibility and a privilege.”