Open To Work
Aja James
Holbrook
Summary
HR executive with extensive experience at MassAbility (formerly Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission), specializing in workforce strategy and cultural transformation. Expertise in labor relations and compliance, with a focus on coaching leaders and optimizing performance through data-driven decision-making. Demonstrated success in fostering inclusive environments and enhancing employee engagement within complex organizations.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Commissioner
MassAbility
Boston
01.2021 - Current
- Serve as a senior executive leader within a statewide, federally regulated organization delivering complex human services across Massachusetts.
- Provide HR-adjacent strategic leadership under the Commissioner, partnering closely with legal, labor relations, finance, and operations leadership.
- Advise executive leadership on workforce strategy, organizational design, performance management, succession planning, and leadership development across a large, unionized workforce.
- Provide direct coaching, mentoring, and onboarding support for senior leaders, including division directors and newly appointed executives, ensuring effective assimilation into complex, highly regulated environments.
- Oversee and guide HR-adjacent policies and practices, including workforce planning, change management, employee relations coordination, and compliance with federal and state labor laws.
- Collaborate with labor relations leadership on collective bargaining agreement (CBA) interpretation, implementation, and dispute resolution, ensuring consistency, compliance, and operational alignment.
- Lead large-scale organizational change initiatives, including restructuring, process modernization, and cultural transformation focused on engagement, accountability, and service excellence.
- Use workforce and operational analytics to inform strategic decisions, improve performance outcomes, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Foster inclusive, high-performing workplace culture aligned with organizational mission and public service values.
- Formerly Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Director of Statewide Support Services
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Boston
10.2019 - 03.2021
- Directed statewide operational support functions for a large, distributed workforce supporting approximately 80,000 cases annually. Role closely mirrored enterprise HR operations in scope and complexity.
- Provided enterprise-level leadership over workforce operations, internal controls, and performance management systems.
- Partnered with executive leadership to align human capital planning with service delivery demands and budgetary constraints.
- Supported employee relations and labor coordination efforts, ensuring consistent application of CBAs, leave administration practices, and compliance standards.
- Led data-driven workforce analysis to optimize staffing models, improve efficiency, and inform strategic planning.
- Supported onboarding and transition of senior managers into statewide leadership roles, offering guidance on culture, governance, and stakeholder engagement.
Regional Director
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Boston
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Led regional operations and workforce management for high-volume disability programs in a unionized environment.
- Managed and developed multidisciplinary teams, emphasizing leadership development, engagement, and accountability.
- Applied and enforced collective bargaining agreements, resolving workforce issues in collaboration with HR and labor relations teams.
- Implemented process improvements that enhanced productivity, accuracy, and employee experience.
- Used performance metrics and analytics to monitor outcomes and guide workforce decisions.
- Built strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and consistency across the system.
Board Member
SEIU Local 509
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Participated directly in collective bargaining negotiations, contract administration, and enforcement.
- Represented employee interests while collaborating with management to promote fair, compliant, and sustainable labor practices.
- Gained firsthand experience in union-management dynamics, grievance processes, and labor relations strategy.
Unit Supervisor / Alternate Supervisor
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Boston
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Supervised and mentored staff in a unionized setting, supporting performance management, coaching, and professional development.
- Supported employee relations efforts and ensured adherence to labor agreements and organizational policies.
- Led workflow redesign initiatives to improve efficiency and staff engagement.
Disability Vocational Examiner
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Boston
01.2001 - 01.2010
- Developed deep expertise in federal compliance, documentation standards, and decision-making within highly regulated environments.
Education
Doctoral Candidate - Law & Policy
Northeastern University
01.2026
Master of Public Administration -
Suffolk University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Saint Paul's College
Skills
- HR and workforce strategy
- Labor relations and bargaining oversight
- Executive onboarding
- Coaching and mentoring
- HR business partnership
- Change management and cultural transformation
- Workforce analytics and decision-making
- Talent development and succession planning
- Compliance in diverse environments
- Employee engagement strategies
- Leadership development and belonging
- Matrix leadership in complex organizations
Certification
- Emerging Manager Certificate, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Human Services Leadership Certificate, Suffolk University
Core Leadership And Hr Competencies
- Executive HR & Workforce Strategy
- Collective Bargaining Agreement Oversight & Labor Relations
- Senior Executive Onboarding, Coaching & Mentoring
- HR Business Partner-Style Leadership
- Change Management & Cultural Transformation
- Workforce Analytics & Data-Informed Decision Making
- Talent Development & Succession Planning
- Compliance (Federal, State, Unionized Environments)
- Employee Engagement, Belonging & Leadership Development
- Matrixed Leadership in Complex Organizations
Timeline
Assistant Commissioner
MassAbility
01.2021 - Current
Director of Statewide Support Services
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
10.2019 - 03.2021
Regional Director
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
01.2015 - 01.2019
Board Member
SEIU Local 509
01.2012 - 01.2015
Unit Supervisor / Alternate Supervisor
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
01.2011 - 01.2015
Disability Vocational Examiner
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
01.2001 - 01.2010
Doctoral Candidate - Law & Policy
Northeastern University
Master of Public Administration -
Suffolk University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Saint Paul's College