Tamara Dixon: Living Her Purpose in Public Sector HR

Some public sector HR practitioners fall into the profession by accident. Not Tamara Dixon.

“Growing up the daughter of a pastor, I always knew my career would be in service to other people,” says Dixon, the human resources director and chief diversity officer with the City of Northglenn, Colo. “While I wasn’t called to do what he does, human resources was the next best thing!”

Dixon, who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tuskegee University and an MPA from Auburn University, was first introduced to the HR function in 2003, when she took a role as a senior agency personnel analyst with Denver Human Services. She spent more than eight years with the organization, serving as human resources supervisor/change manager from July 2006 until June 2011.

Dixon has stayed in public sector ever since, including stints as the human resources director with the Town of Parker, Colo., and HR manager with the City of Wheat Ridge, Colo.

She’s never doubted that she chose the right path.

“I have always been mission-driven, so my career serving people has been really impactful for me,” says Dixon, who also spent more than three years as an adjunct professor teaching graduate courses in human resources at the University of Colorado-Denver.

“I get to serve my community, shape equitable hiring practices and support essential services for people. I really enjoy structure, policy writing and interpretation, compliance and being a strategic partner. I’m truly living my purpose!”

Her involvement with PSHRA has been a key part of fulfilling her professional purpose, says Dixon, who joined the organization in 2007. Not that she had much of a say in the matter, she jokes now.

“Past PSHRA President and my former HR director at Denver Human Services, Jennifer Fairweather, didn’t give her employees a choice [but to join PSHRA],” Dixon says with a laugh.

She’s grateful that her then-boss urged her to join the organization.

“Becoming involved by serving on the local, regional and national levels has increased my leadership ability and introduced me to so many competent, compassionate and capable HR professionals across the country,” says Dixon, who has served PSHRA as Western Region president (2016-2017), conference programs and speakers chair in 2019, and West Executive Council Representative (2020 – 2025).

“Without a doubt, me and my career are better because of my membership in PSHRA.”

Dixon’s career in public sector HR has now spanned more than 20 years. Looking ahead, she hopes to eventually dedicate herself fully to Dwennimmen Leadership Consulting, the consultancy she co-founded in 2009. She’s also eager to one day sit down and write a book sharing the insights she’s gleaned with the next generation of public sector HR practitioners, she says.

“Oh, the leadership lessons I have learned on this journey!”