Emily Stephenson has been named the new director of human resources for Livingston County, with her appointment set to begin on April 6. In this role, Stephenson will be responsible for overseeing personnel and civil service operations, recruitment, benefits administration, and labor relations for the county’s workforce.
The appointment is significant as it comes at a time when effective management of human resources is seen as essential to supporting both organizational goals and employee well-being within public service.
Stephenson brings almost ten years of experience in high-level HR management. She previously served as HR manager at Gunlocke, a furniture manufacturer in Wayland, New York. There she managed various aspects of human resources including employee relations and organizational development.
“Emily’s work in the private sector and collaborative mindset make her an excellent addition to our team. We’re excited to welcome her to Livingston County and are confident she will help us to remain an employer of choice in the region,” said County Administrator Shannon Hillier.
Stephenson holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in human resource development from Rochester Institute of Technology. She said that building trust across departments and navigating complex policies would be central priorities: “I want to focus on creating even better channels of communication and engagement, so employees feel informed, supported, and connected to the work we’re doing,” said Stephenson. “I’m also looking forward to strengthening HR processes in a way that supports both organizational goals and the people who carry them out. Overall, I want to contribute to a positive, transparent, and collaborative environment where employees can do their best work.”
She described her leadership style as cooperative and people-centered: “Even though each department has its own unique responsibilities and expertise, we’re all part of one Livingston County, working toward the same mission and vision for the community,” she said. “My goal is to help strengthen that sense of unity.”
Outside work, Stephenson serves on her local library board of trustees.
