Governing Body Spotlight

Charles Hall, Jr. has more than 20 years of leadership and focus on a vision-driven approach to decision making, strategic planning, and tactical implementation. In 2008, Hall began his human resources career as HR Administrator at Under Armour in Baltimore, MD. He transitioned from the private sector to the public sector in 2012 serving in the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, conducting a range of administrative actions to support continuity of operations and achievement of core mission. 

Hall served at the Baltimore City Schools, holding several leadership roles, including Human Capital Specialist, Manager of School Based Staffing, and Director of Employee Engagement. He joined Baltimore City Community College as Assistant Vice President of Human Resources and Payroll, a cabinet-level role with oversight of personnel, federal and state employment laws, and employee relations, including labor management and was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2023 to support the 38,000 employees of DC Government and lead the Department of Human Resources. In his spare time, he enjoys cheering on his nephews at their basketball and football games.

Learn more about the Washington, DC CHRO community here.
 

Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I started my HR career working in the warehouse and corporate office for Under Armour which provided insight into the diverse understanding and approach we should have regarding the workforce. The experience set the stage for the rest of my HR career and my transition into public service that would focus on the implementation of HR policies and practices that took into account those who work in warehouses, on community streets, in office settings, or in schools with young kids, educators, administrators and parents as well as the elders in our communities. The result is a perspective that whether the impact is direct or indirect, we have the opportunity to serve persons in our organization and our communities that result in persons having access to a better way of living.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

Service.
 

What is the greatest challenge CHROs face today, and how are you addressing it?

Managing the fallout from the federal government dismantling the federal government workforce and its impact on the residents of Washington D.C. We are addressing it by ensuring we implement relevant employment tools for upskilling and reskilling, providing avenues for persons to revisit their interviewing skills and crafting engaging resumes, hosting hiring and resource events that provide opportunities for onsite interviews, job offers and background checks to expedite the hiring process and ensuring we recognize the intersection between the impact of the actions taken from a mental and emotional standpoint and the anxiety of identifying work in an overly saturated job market.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CHRO?

Balancing the necessity to understand the roles, processes and policies of those you work with to decipher what can be enhanced, what may need to be eliminated and what may need to be revised to best suit the organization while also establishing genuine, healthy working relationships that highlight the value and story of each person you work with.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

Increase in employee engagement in their work as well as their personal development. Each person understanding their worth and value is a contributor to the overall success and progress of the organization. The creation of and sustaining of an environment of innovation, effectiveness and efficiency from employees that help meet, if not exceed, the vision and mission of the organization.
 

What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?

The opportunity to meet other HR professionals who are doing great work, have a record of impact and ideas that can help you navigate through the work you are charged to do in your individual context.
 

Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.