LAKESHA POPE JACKSON
DeSoto,TX
Summary
Strategic, mission-driven people and operations executive with experience leading workforce transformation, organizational development, and culture change across federal and nonprofit sectors. Proven ability to build modern people systems, strengthen talent pipelines, and align workforce strategy with long-term organizational goals. Recognized for leading complex organizations through change, developing workplace value culture, and translating strategic vision into disciplined execution-capabilities directly aligned with GSNETX's goal to "design and implement a comprehensive people strategy aligned with the long-term strategic vision."
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ACF Regional Administrator, Region VI
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Dallas, TX
10.2016 - 07.2025
- Senior executive overseeing multi-state operations, workforce strategy, and organizational performance for federal programs serving children and families.
- Led regional workforce strategy and performance alignment to directly support mission outcomes and enhance employee engagement.
- Built a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement-mirroring GSNETX's emphasis on a 'people-first culture rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose.'
- Implemented leadership development initiatives including mentoring, coaching, and professional development.
- Championed workforce culture, strengthening internal talent acquisition to meet organizational goals.
- Guided organizational change initiatives responding to evolving national priorities.
- Leveraged data and performance metrics to improve decision-making and program outcomes.
- Engaged multiple stakeholders to align programs with community needs and policy priorities, ensuring responsive service delivery for the Administration for Children and Families.
Senior Director of Operations Management / Federal Contract Administrator
Southwest Key Programs, Inc.
Austin, TX
05.2011 - 09.2016
- Directed operations, workforce planning, and organizational development for a $36.4M federal contract and a national nonprofit operating 72 programs across six states.
- Oversaw large-scale workforce planning and emergency response staffing.
- Enhanced operational performance through compliance oversight and data-driven reporting that informed strategic decisions.
- Led cross-functional teams across recruitment, procurement, technology, and administrative functions.
- Built collaborative partnerships with federal agencies and community organizations.
- Directed development of 2013-2016 strategic plan aligning goals across 15 departments to support organizational growth.
- Facilitated executive leadership initiatives addressing rapid growth and culture change.
Community Relations Manager
Federal National Mortgage Association
Washington, DC
05.2010 - 05.2011
- Executed community engagement initiatives for U.S. Treasury's Making Home Affordable program, fostering partnerships to enhance program reach.
- Fostered community partnerships to enhance outreach initiatives.
- Developed communication strategies to engage multiple stakeholders.
- Organized educational workshops to promote financial literacy in local communities.
Senior Program & Policy Analyst
National Alliance to End Homelessness
Washington, DC
05.2005 - 05.2010
- Led national policy initiatives to reduce youth homelessness and enhance effectiveness of federal programs.
- Analyzed federal and state policies impacting homelessness and housing stability.
- Conducted research on best practices in homelessness prevention and intervention strategies.
- Developed policy briefs to inform stakeholders about critical issues in homelessness.
Government Relations Account Executive
Public Strategies, Inc.
Austin, Texas
05.2003 - 05.2005
- Executed public affairs and stakeholder engagement initiatives for nonprofit and government clients.
Education
Master of Public Affairs - Nonprofit Management
LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX, USABachelor of Science - Business Administration
Xavier University of Louisiana
Louisiana, USASkills
- Strategic People Leadership
- Organizational Design
- Cultural Transformation
- Values Stewardship
- Talent Acquisition
- Coaching
- Leadership Development
- Employee Engagement
- Change Management
- Operational Excellence
- Performance Management
- Cross-functional teams
- Stakeholder relations
Certification
Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education - Awarded Certificate of Completion for Collaborative Solutions Program
Publications
- Housing for Homeless Youth
- Fundamental Issues to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness
Board And Community Leadership
- National Foster Care Coalition - Board Member
- Justice for Children (DC Chapter) - Board Member
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Volunteer Leadership
- CASA of Travis County - Volunteer
Core Leadership Expertise
- Strategic People Leadership & Organizational Design
- Culture Transformation & Values Stewardship
- Talent Acquisition, Workforce Planning & Onboarding
- Leadership Development, Coaching & Succession Planning
- Employee Engagement, Retention & Change Management
- HR Systems Modernization & Operational Excellence
- Performance Management & Continuous Feedback Systems
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
Timeline
ACF Regional Administrator, Region VI
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
10.2016 - 07.2025
Senior Director of Operations Management / Federal Contract Administrator
Southwest Key Programs, Inc.
05.2011 - 09.2016
Community Relations Manager
Federal National Mortgage Association
05.2010 - 05.2011
Senior Program & Policy Analyst
National Alliance to End Homelessness
05.2005 - 05.2010
Government Relations Account Executive
Public Strategies, Inc.
05.2003 - 05.2005
Master of Public Affairs - Nonprofit Management
LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Xavier University of Louisiana