Tonyia Griggs: Working for Real People with Real Needs

Much of Tonyia Griggs’ 20-plus year career in public sector HR has been spent within the federal government and the intelligence community.

Griggs, who served as an HR specialist, HR consultant and then HR manager at the federal level, found that work “important, complex and deeply formative.”

But, after more than a decade in that environment, “I felt a growing pull toward something more personal and more connected,” says Griggs, who is now the chief of human resources and IT human capital with the City of Baltimore’s Office of Information & Technology.

“I wanted to serve in a way where I could see the impact of my work, not just understand it in theory.”

While she had always considered herself a public servant, Griggs had reached a point where she “wanted to be closer to the people my work was touching,” she says now. “I wanted to walk the neighborhoods, meet the residents and understand the lived experiences behind the policies and programs.”

Transitioning into local government gave her the chance to do both, “in a way that felt both grounding and transformative.” Griggs joined the City of Baltimore in her current role in 2023.

“Now, when I show up to work, I’m not just supporting an organization. I’m supporting the very community I live in. I can see the faces, hear the stories and feel the impact of the decisions we make,” says Griggs.

“Pursuing a career in public sector HR wasn’t just a professional shift,” she adds. “It was a calling to serve with authenticity, visibility and heart. And it’s the most meaningful work I’ve ever done.”

The City of Baltimore provided Griggs the opportunity to join PSHRA, which she did in 2018.

In the years since, Griggs has earned the PSHRA-SCP certification, being part of the PSHRA-SCP pilot cohort in 2024. She describes that experience as an “especially meaningful” part of her professional development.

“It affirmed my commitment to excellence in public sector HR and connected me with a community of forward‑thinking professionals who are shaping the future of our field. That experience reinforced my belief that leadership development is not just a skill, but a calling.”

A certified career coach, relationship coach and emotional intelligence practitioner, Griggs says delivering training and development on a broad scale is one of her long-term goals.

“I envision traveling from state to state, immersing HR professionals and leaders in learning experiences that blend knowledge, wisdom and real-world insight with energy, humor and authenticity,” she says.

Ultimately, Griggs wants to continue her own professional growth, so that she can help her public sector peers grow as well.

“My purpose is to pour into leaders, inspire future professionals and create a ripple effect of stronger, more emotionally intelligent leadership across the public sector.”