Amy Jo Walters

Strategic and people-centered HR Director with a decade of experience leading culture, engagement, and retention initiatives across highly regulated public-sector and nonprofit environments. Proven success building HR infrastructure and inclusive, connected workplaces through authentic leadership, communication, and employee recognition strategies. Passionate about driving purpose-driven cultures where people feel valued and inspired to perform at their best.

Human Resources Director at Museum of Discovery (2026-04 – Present)

Serve as the museum's first dedicated HR Director, building the human resources function from the ground up under a board mandate to transform HR infrastructure and organizational culture.

• Lead a comprehensive culture transformation initiative in partnership with the Executive Director, embedding the organization's core values framework across HR policy, communications, and staff programming.
• Rebuilt the employee handbook (unrevised since 2014) through a structured legal compliance audit and rewrite addressing FMLA, ADA, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and NLRA requirements.
• Designed core performance management infrastructure, including a formal evaluation plan and a progressive discipline policy suite with supporting SOPs and forms.
• Built new hire onboarding and offboarding programs, including SOPs and role-based checklists for voluntary and involuntary separations.
• Conducted a board-level compensation analysis across all full-time positions, delivering market benchmarking and a proposed pay-band structure to the Executive Director and Board.
• Developed employee engagement and pulse survey tools and an HR metrics reporting framework to support data-driven reporting to executive leadership and the board.
• Advise the Executive Director on employee relations, board governance matters, and organizational structure decisions as a key strategic partner to leadership.

Director of Human Resources at Arkansas Secretary of State (2025-01 – 2026-04)

Led all HR functions for a 180+ employee constitutional office, including recruitment, employee engagement, retention, and policy management.

• Developed and implemented organization-wide employee engagement initiatives, boosting retention and morale through recognition programs, transparent communication, and leadership coaching.
• Served as a trusted advisor to senior executives, aligning HR strategy with organizational mission and operational needs.
• Directed compliance and training programs ensuring full adherence to state and federal employment laws in a highly regulated public sector.
• Designed and facilitated leadership development programs focused on accountability, communication, and culture alignment.
• Drove performance management initiatives that enhanced feedback culture and improved evaluation consistency.
• Partnered with multiple divisions to ensure equitable treatment, inclusion, and employee well-being across all teams.
• Conducted internal investigations of employee complaints and disputes, resulting in fair and just resolutions.
• Managed payroll to ensure accurate and timely payment of salaries and benefits.

Personnel Manager at Arkansas Secretary of State (2022-06 – 2024-12)

Human Resources Generalist at Arkansas Secretary of State (2017-07 – 2022-05)

Election Services Representative at Arkansas Secretary of State (2015-11 – 2017-07)

• Completed the Rules and Regulations filings for various Arkansas State Agencies.
• Assisted legislatures with filings of required reports.
• Assisted Arkansas Voters with questions regarding registering to vote, polling places, and procedures.

Customer Service Clerk at Old Dominion Freight Line (2015-08 – 2015-11)

• Assisted the company Sales Representatives by making sales calls, follow-up calls, and assisting in collections.
• Participated in customer service by scheduling shipments, helping with issues, and providing price quotes.

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with a Minor in Business – Arkansas Tech University (2010-08 – 2014-05)