Workforce Inclusion and Restorative Practices Purpose
The Workforce Engagement and Restorative Practices (WERP) Unit is responsible for advancing Howard County government as an equitable, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. The unit provides strategic direction and oversight for workforce engagement, restorative approaches to conflict resolution, and practices that promote fairness, access, and opportunity within the workplace.
The Unit advises County leadership, providing guidance on workforce engagement, inclusion, and restorative practices, including the review of policies, legislation, and emerging issues that impact employees and the broader community. It also ensures that Howard County Government programs, practices, and decisions are informed by data, aligned with operational priorities, and responsive to the needs of a diverse resident population. This is achieved by partnering with departments, Human Resources, and community stakeholders to identify systemic and operational barriers to access to programs and resources, recommending practical solutions, and supporting the implementation of strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness and service delivery.
Who We Are
Now hiring!
The Equity Advisory Committee is a diverse group of Howard County staff who are committed to helping make Howard County Government a more equitable and inclusive workplace culture and service provider. The purpose of the committee is to research, inform, guide, and make recommendations to the Workforce Engagement and Restorative Practices Manager and WERP Unit as it works to help ensure a wide variety of voices and experiences are valued and represented within the workforce and community.
- LaKeisha McClendon – Chair, Office of Human Rights and Equity
- Christine Lowe – Vice Chair, Department of Public Works (year 3)
- Avery Farrell – Vice Chair, Office of Community Sustainability (year 2)
- Xinye Chai - Bureau of Utilities (year 2)
- Joanna Chen – Office of the County Executive (year 2)
- Sanjeev Gholap – Technology and Community Services (year 2)
- Marcus Powell – Inspections, Licenses & Permits (year 2)
- Lauren Longo – Department of Planning & Zoning (year 2)
- Vanessa Webb - Technology & Communication Services (year 2)
- Emerald Benemerito – Department of Community Resources & Services (year 1)
- Ruth Coleman – Department of Recreation & Parks (year 1)
- Tawanda Bailey – Department of Fire & Rescue (year 1)
- Taylor Shelton – Office of Housing & Community Development (year 1)
- Afryea Lucas-White – Office of Human Resources (year 1)
- Lakeisha McClendon - Office of Human Rights & Equity (ex officio)
Howard County Government is an active member of Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), which is a network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. T
GARE Ambassadors
The GARE Ambassador Committee began in 2023 as an internal commitment to build organizational capacity and introduce a framework that is centered on key components of visualizing, normalizing, organizing, and operationalizing racial equity across departments and offices. The GARE Ambassadors Committee is composed of a diverse group of County employees with various backgrounds and experiences. All members are dedicated to achieving equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all.
Committee Members
- LaKeisha McClendon - Office of Human Rights and Equity
- Kelly Palich - Recreation and Parks
- Danielle Bassett - Recreation and Parks
- Stephanie Benavides - Health Services
- Shawnte Berry - Recreation and Parks
- Sucora Best - Department of Community Resources and Services
- Nicholas Brightwell - Recreation and Parks
- Melissa Byrne - Recreation and Parks
- Kori Jones - Recreation and Parks
- Scott Munroe - Recreation and Parks
- Daneisha Nicholas - Recreation and Parks