Michelle E. Sutter
Washington,D.C.
Summary
Strategic workforce planning and organizational transformation executive with over 15 years of experience in navigating complex legislative landscapes, securing federal funding, and influencing public policy. Recognized for spearheading innovative HR and talent development strategies that strengthen capacity, enhance employee engagement, and support mission-critical operations. Adept at cultivating relationships with policymakers, advocating for institutional priorities, and driving initiatives that enhance engagement with federal agencies, congressional offices, and key stakeholders. Expertise in federal budget processes, regulatory compliance, human resource management, workforce advancement programs, and strategic communications. Recognized for delivering results through coalition-building, data-driven decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief of Staff, Human Resources & Professional Development (HRPD)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
03.2024 - Current
- The ATF Human Resources and Professional Development (HRPD) oversees workforce strategy, recruitment, and training for a highly specialized federal workforce. As Chief of Staff, I provide executive-level counsel to leadership, manage cross-agency initiatives, and shape policies that direct talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational effectiveness. I lead strategic planning efforts, drive process improvements enterprise-wide, steer organizational transformation, and oversee budget allocation to ensure alignment with agency priorities. I represent ATF leadership in high-level government affairs engagements, advocating for legislative and regulatory policies that impact ATF’s workforce with the executive leadership team.
- Key Achievements:
- Secured budgetary efficiencies, identifying cost-saving measures exceeding $1 million while ensuring the continuity of mission-critical HR services. Implemented a bi-weekly budget reporting framework, increasing financial transparency—mitigating risk while increasing credibility.
- Directed the reorganization of HR operations, reducing hiring cycle times by 20% and increasing recruitment efficiency by streamlining processes and improving pipeline management.
- Championed the creation and management of comprehensive professional development and learning programs for ATF’s 5,000-strong workforce, aligning initiatives with agency priorities and driving a culture of continuous improvement—resulting in a 12% increase in employee engagement scores as measured by the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS).
- Strengthened stakeholder engagement efforts by coordinating town halls and improving employee communication strategies, contributing to a 15% increase in employee satisfaction and trust as measured by the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS).
- Launched an executive Weekly Activities Report (WAR), improving communication and information flow between senior leadership and frontline managers—enabling leadership to swiftly address field-level challenges, adjust policy guidance, and initiate a targeted mentorship program to support emerging HR leaders.
Director, Resource Management & Acting Chief of Staff, Office of Information Governance & Privacy (OIGP)
Dept. of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement
07.2022 - 03.2024
- In this role, I served as a senior advisor overseeing the strategic management of personnel, budget planning, and policy execution. I provided executive support in formulating policies on human resource management, records governance, and compliance with federal regulations. I led high-profile engagements with DHS executive leaders, federal agencies, and congressional staff. I directed fiscal management efforts, ensuring budget alignment with programmatic needs while enhancing operational efficiency.
- Key Achievements:
- Successfully managed a multimillion-dollar budget, aligning financial resources with mission objectives and ensuring 100% compliance with federal regulations—enabling the office to sustain critical operations and meet evolving mission demands.
- Oversaw all human resource operations for the office, recruiting and onboarding over 20 new employees, which significantly enhanced mission support by reducing hiring cycle times by 15% and improving the quality of service delivery.
- Designed and implemented an internal spending plan template and integrated master schedule, improving budget tracking and reporting accuracy by 25%—providing executive leadership with real-time visibility for strategic resource alignment across the fiscal year.
- Established the ICE Office of Information Governance & Privacy SharePoint site, centralizing critical resources and improving knowledge-sharing and collaboration for over 200 staff members—streamlining workflows and driving operational efficiency.
Associate Director, Operations, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
03.2020 - 07.2022
- Led operations and regulatory oversight initiatives for CDRH. Managed policy development efforts related to medical device compliance and public health regulations. Directed cross-functional teams to streamline approval processes, enhance regulatory efficiency, and align workforce development with agency objectives.
- Key Achievements:
- Developed an updated hiring framework, reducing executive-level recruitment time by 20% and strengthening candidate quality.
- Spearheaded a virtual telework program that sustained 100% operational continuity during workforce transitions.
- Designed a third-party training curriculum, boosting the quality of medical device submissions by 30% and enhancing regulatory compliance.
Leadership Roles in Strategic Planning & Operations
U.S. Army
04.2006 - 11.2019
- Held multiple leadership roles in strategic planning, human capital management, and operations across military and civilian capacities. Directed high-stakes initiatives requiring coordination with inter-agency partners, policymakers, and industry leaders.
- Key Achievements:
- As Director of Operations for the Joint Personal Effects Depot, streamlined policies across the Department of Defense (DoD), improving operational efficiency by 35% and enhancing cross-agency collaboration.
- Developed and implemented strategic workforce plans, strengthening talent management processes and boosting employee readiness by 10%.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Development
Grand Canyon University
Master of Science (M.S.) - Organizational Leadership
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Public Safety Administration
Grand Canyon University
Senior Executive Fellows Program
Harvard University
Women’s Leadership Program
Yale University
Senior Leadership Program
George Washington University
Skills
- Strategic Planning, Budget Oversight, and Human Capital Strategy
- Regulatory Compliance and Federal Grant Management
- Government & Federal Relations and Legislative Advocacy
- Stakeholder and Coalition Engagement
- Higher Education Policy Expertise and Institutional Partnership Development
- Public Affairs, External Relations, and Strategic Negotiation
Certification
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB, proj Oct 2025) | Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) | Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) | Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) | Certified Professional Coach (CPC) | Executive Women in Government | Senior Executive Association (Chairman, HR and Federal Engagement Forums)
Awards
COVID-19 Notification and Tracking Team Award, 2021 | COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing Group Award, 2021, Meritorious Service Medal | National Defense Service Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Timeline
Chief of Staff, Human Resources & Professional Development (HRPD)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
03.2024 - Current
Director, Resource Management & Acting Chief of Staff, Office of Information Governance & Privacy (OIGP)
Dept. of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement
07.2022 - 03.2024
Associate Director, Operations, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
03.2020 - 07.2022
Leadership Roles in Strategic Planning & Operations
U.S. Army
04.2006 - 11.2019
Master of Science (M.S.) - Organizational Leadership
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Public Safety Administration
Grand Canyon University
Senior Executive Fellows Program
Harvard University
Women’s Leadership Program
Yale University
Senior Leadership Program
George Washington University
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Development
Grand Canyon University
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