Lucy Ortega
Houston,TX
Summary
Strategic talent executive with expertise in public-sector environments, addressing regulatory challenges to enhance workforce strategy and organizational performance. Led cultural transformation through workforce planning and change management. Specialized in compliance, labor relations, and policy implementation, translating legislative requirements into actionable HR solutions while fostering collaboration in complex political and operational settings.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Human Resources Officer
Harris County Universal Services
Houston, USA
09.2020 - Current
- Transformational HR executive with a proven track record of evolving HR from a transactional, administrative function into a trusted strategic partner influencing enterprise-wide decisions, workforce planning, and organizational performance.
- Led enterprise-wide restructuring of a 500+ employee organization during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, stabilizing operations, strengthening leadership accountability, and increasing employee retention by 10% amid unprecedented workforce disruption.
- Guided the organization through the operational, cultural, and human impact of COVID-19, sustaining a 7% turnover rate throughout the pandemic while delivering record-breaking IT and mission-critical hires in an extremely constrained labor market.
- Led and resolved internal and external employee relations investigations, ensuring 100% defensible outcomes and effectively mitigating legal, financial, and reputational risks.
- Championed enterprise culture and leadership initiatives by launching an Employee Engagement Committee and Leadership Academy, enhancing departmental collaboration and engagement.
Chief of Staff
Ronald McDonald House Houston
Houston, USA
08.2018 - 09.2020
- Executed CEO’s priority initiatives by coordinating internal and external stakeholders, leaders, and board of directors to advance organizational strategic initiatives.
- Managed executive staff actions and communications in alignment with Board strategic initiatives and goals, ensuring their needs were effectively conveyed to CEO and Board.
- Facilitated communication between 47 Board of Directors and team on strategic positioning and operational updates; planned and executed monthly Board and committee meetings.
- Strategically managed the President’s time by assessing CEO’s external opportunities, including invitations, appearances, speaking engagements and meeting plans.
- Researched, developed and implemented Board software which transitioned all work related products to a paperless system.
Bilingual Teacher
Colegio Público Bilingue Ciudades Unidas
Madrid, Spain
09.2017 - 06.2018
- Provided high-quality language lesson development and delivery in the subjects of Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and English to students in Grades 5-6.
- Engaged in cultural immersion programs with students to further augment global understanding.
- Provided guidance to co-curricular clubs on activities and programming. and activities and participated in on-going planning development.
Policy and Special Projects Manager
Avance, Inc
San Antonio, USA
01.2012 - 08.2017
- Conceptualized, led, and executed local, state, and federal policy and advocacy strategies, positioning AVANCE as a credible thought partner in early childhood education and family development.
- Cultivated and maintained collaborative relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and national organizations, enhancing policy influence and cross-sector alignment.
- Built and sustained high-profile national partnerships and coalitions, including collaboration with the Aspen Institute and the Clinton Global Initiative, advancing AVANCE’s mission and national visibility in early childhood education and parenting advocacy.
- Served as primary liaison to AVANCE National Board of Directors, facilitating executive communications and board engagement, ensuring alignment between leadership and organizational strategy.
- Acted as a trusted advisor and confidant to the National President/CEO, supporting high-impact, cross-organizational initiatives spanning governance, strategic planning, and national public relations.
Special Projects Coordinator | Legislative Assistant
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington D.C., USA
10.2009 - 01.2011
- Managed the education, healthcare, immigration, labor and appropriations legislative portfolios.
- Served as constituent liaison among congressional district office, Washington D.C. office, and federal agencies, ensuring effective communication and support.
- Developed initiatives and programs driven by constituents, including Veteran’s Day Summit and Meet Your Congressman Day at schools in Congressional 27th District of Texas, fostering community engagement.
- Coordinated integration of Library of Congress’s Surplus Books Program with local public and school libraries, enhancing resource accessibility for constituents.
Legislative Assistant
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington D.C., USA
04.2008 - 09.2009
- Drafted policy proposals and amendments for committee review and discussion.
- Facilitated communication between federal departments and members' offices to address specific legislation and resolve constituent casework.
- Managed constituent correspondence to clarify policy positions and inform on legislative initiatives.
- Collaborated with legal advisors to ensure compliance with legislative procedures.
- Spearheaded organization of public hearings and community outreach initiatives, enhancing public engagement and legislative awareness.
Education
Master of Arts - Bilingual and Multicultural Education
Universidad De Alcalá
Alcala De Henares, Spain06-2018
Bachelor of Arts - History and Government
The University of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX05-2006
Skills
- Strategic HR leadership
- Policy development
- Employee relations
- Workforce planning
- Compliance management
- Talent acquisition and management
- Organizational development
- Employee engagement
- Performance management
- HR technology and analytics
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Change management
- Risk compliance management
- Compensation and benefits
- PeopleSoft (Oracle)
- Adobe Pro
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Blackbaud software
- Applicant tracking systems (Indeed, NEOGOV)
- Content management systems (SharePoint)
- Strategic partnerships
- Executive coaching
Websites
Professional Development
- Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Member, 2021
- Universidad de Alcalá (Spain) Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019
- Franklin Leader for the 2017-2018 MA in Bilingual and Multicultural Education Program, 2018
- Latina Leadership Institute, 2015
- San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Alex Briseño Leadership Development Program, 2013
- Congressional Hispanic Staff Association Treasurer, 2009
Systems
- Applicant Tracking Systems (Indeed, NEOGOV)
- Content Management Systems (SharePoint)
Certification
Change Management Foundation V3, APMG International, 2025
Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Gallup, 2025
ITIL Foundation Certificate in I.T. Service Management, PeopleCert, 2024
Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Gallup, 2025
ITIL Foundation Certificate in I.T. Service Management, PeopleCert, 2024
Timeline
Chief Human Resources Officer
Harris County Universal Services
09.2020 - Current
Chief of Staff
Ronald McDonald House Houston
08.2018 - 09.2020
Bilingual Teacher
Colegio Público Bilingue Ciudades Unidas
09.2017 - 06.2018
Policy and Special Projects Manager
Avance, Inc
01.2012 - 08.2017
Special Projects Coordinator | Legislative Assistant
U.S. House of Representatives
10.2009 - 01.2011
Legislative Assistant
U.S. House of Representatives
04.2008 - 09.2009
Master of Arts - Bilingual and Multicultural Education
Universidad De Alcalá
Bachelor of Arts - History and Government
The University of Texas At Brownsville