Superintendent Mike Miles has filled two critical roles on the HISD Leadership Team. These hires – Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Communications Officer – will bring national expertise to Houston and accelerate the pace of change and improvement as Houston ISD advances toward Destination 2035.

Jessica Neyman, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Leila Walsh, Chief Communications Officer, each bring a diverse set of skills and experiences from education and the private sector. They are proven leaders who have demonstrated the ability to shape and lead large systems.

“I am honored to announce the appointments of Jessica Neyman and Leila Walsh to Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Communications Officer, respectively,” said Miles. “Their skills and expertise will serve the staff and families of HISD well. They have both proven they can tackle significant challenges, act boldly, and deliver exceptional results. I am confident they will do the same for the Houston Independent School District.”

Jessica Neyman joins HISD from IDEA Public Schools, where she served as Vice President of Human Resources for the largest network of charter schools in the United States. Prior to that, she held leadership roles in human resources for school districts across Texas. She also brings private sector experience in the oil and gas industry, which has made her a national leader in merging private sector innovation with public sector service.

Ms. Neyman said of her appointment, “Houston ISD is one of the most impactful and exciting opportunities in the nation right now. I’m thrilled to join this exceptional team and support the educators and staff working to provide all HISD students access to the workplace and the world of the year 2035. The district is well on its way to becoming a destination for world-class education talent, and I look forward to the opportunity to drive that process forward.”

Leila Walsh comes to Houston ISD from her role as Chief External Affairs Officer at Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of school district superintendents and state education leaders who oversee systems that collectively serve more than 7 million students across the United States. Ms. Walsh is a Houston-area resident and previously served as a senior manager in the Houston ISD Communications Department. She was also the vice president of communications for a foundation headquartered in Houston, run by two of the nation’s most impactful philanthropists.

“Houston ISD has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the way schools educate children in our community and ensure they are ready to succeed in life,” said Ms. Walsh. “As teachers, principals, and others in the district work toward Destination 2035, the communications team will do all we can to provide our community with timely, accurate information about what is happening in Houston’s schools and why. We will share stories of what is working and where there is more to do—and we will partner with families and communities to strengthen schools, so every child gets what they need. I am honored to join the Houston ISD team and will give everything I have to this work.”

Both Ms. Neyman and Ms. Walsh begin their work in October.