We partnered with National 4-H Council on the search for a Vice President, People and Culture. National 4-H Council is the private sector, nonprofit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the United States Department of Agriculture.

Our work resulted in the recruitment of Shawnda H. Howard to the role.

Howard has more than 20 years of cross-sector experience in human resources leadership and various strategic business partner roles as an organizational strategist, employee advocate, trusted advisor, collaborator, and change agent in the public sector and private sector companies specializing in professional services, management consulting, healthcare, science, technology, and engineering industries.

Prior to National 4-H Council, Howard held positions in human resources management at private-equity backed firms and Fortune 500 global companies including Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Honeywell.

Howard also served as chief human resources officer for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, where she developed and implemented the overall human capital strategy and led a department of professionals with expertise in compensation and benefits, HR information systems, learning and development, employee relations and engagement, talent acquisition and retention, and operations.

She is a member of several professional associations including the SHRM Executive Network.

Howard also volunteers for nonprofits focused on making positive social impact through education, youth development, equity, and social justice work.

Howard earned a Master of Science degree in Organization Development and Strategic Human Resources from The Johns Hopkins University. She is an alumna of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia, and holds a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation from the WorldatWork Total Rewards.