In June 2026, Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed Steven Walker as Interim Director of the District of Columbia Department of Human Resources (DCHR), where he oversees operations, workforce strategy, and personnel policy for more than 37,000 employees—guiding the District’s efforts to recruit, develop, and retain a world-class public sector workforce.

Director Walker also continues to oversee mayoral appointments to the Cabinet, excepted service positions, and the District’s boards and commissions, ensuring the Bowser Administration attracts and supports exceptional leaders who reflect the strength, diversity, and ambition of Washington, DC. 

Prior to his appointment at DCHR, Director Walker served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Muriel Bowser, where he oversaw community engagement, human resources, operations, and crossgovernment stakeholder functions across the Executive Office of the Mayor. Since 2015, he has also served as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments (MOTA), leading the District’s executive talent strategy, seniorlevel recruitment, executive onboarding, and the appointments process for hundreds of boards and commissions citywide. Under his leadership, MOTA has become a national model for inclusive executive talent pipelines and publicsector leadership development. 

A longtime political and community organizer with more than 35 years of administrative, human resources, and operational experience, Walker brings a deep commitment to strengthening opportunity, equity, and quality of life for District residents. His career includes leadership roles on local, state, and national campaigns and major initiatives centered on voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ+ equality, offender reentry, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS—grounding his HR leadership in a lifelong dedication to public service and community impact. pe the future of their government.