Leadership, Operations, and Office Operations
Valorie Findlater, a seasoned professional with a background in Business Administration, has been making waves at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) since her appointment as the Chief of Management and Administration in January 2025. Findlater's journey with NARA began in 2014, where she joined as a member of the team.
Findlater's educational background in Business Administration from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, may have contributed to her success in managing human capital and organisational development. Over the years, she has served in various key positions at NARA, including the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, Performance Management, and Benefits Division, and the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO).
In her current role, Findlater has been instrumental in navigating significant organisational changes at NARA. She has overseen strategic workforce reductions and resource reallocations aimed at creating a more efficient agency while protecting its core mission of preserving government and historical records. Under her leadership, NARA implemented a reduction-in-force affecting about 3% of staff, combined with voluntary separation incentives to minimise impacts on employees. Findlater emphasised that these decisions were made carefully and strategically, reflecting compliance with federal directives to reshape agencies, and showed a commitment to supporting employees through these transitions.
Findlater's leadership roles at NARA have been characterised by her ability to foster effective communication, learning, collaboration, and teamwork. As the CHCO, she provided leadership in human capital planning, policy, program development, and fostered an environment for effective communication, learning, collaboration, and teamwork. Her tenure at NARA, prior to her current role, was marked by significant contributions to human capital management and organisational development.
Before her role as Chief of Management and Administration, Findlater served as the CHCO at NARA. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, Performance Management, and Benefits Division at NARA.
Findlater's appointment as the Chief of Management and Administration signifies a continuation of her contributions to NARA's human capital management and organisational development. Her key contributions include strategically managing layoffs and workforce restructuring to align NARA with federal requirements, protecting NARA's mission during challenging organisational changes, supporting staff through transitions to maintain morale and continuity, and facilitating faster public access to NARA’s records by reallocating resources more efficiently. These actions highlight her role in balancing operational efficiency with employee support within a federal agency facing mandated restructuring.
Findlater's tenure at NARA underscores her commitment to the organisation's mission and her ability to lead through change. Her strategic approach, coupled with her focus on employee support, has positioned NARA for continued success in preserving and managing the nation's historical records.
Valorie Findlater's educational background in Business Administration has undoubtedly helped in her career advancement, paving the way for a successful lifestyle with a focus on finance and careers. As the Chief of Management and Administration at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), she has been instrumental in shaping her career while also contributing significantly to education-and-self-development, having previously served as the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO), overseeing human capital planning, policy, and program development.