Ramsey County selects Catrice O’Neal to lead Workforce Solutions, Workforce Innovation Board

Ramsey County has named Catrice O’Neal as its newest director of Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and executive director of the Workforce Innovation Board.

The hiring process began in October and O’Neal starts on Jan. 6.

Workforce Solutions, with its partner, the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County, provides workforce development programs and services in the county. O’Neal will oversee a $23 million budget and a team of around 80 members to provide eligibility-based employment service programs through county staff and community partners, and employer services in line with the Community and Economic Development department.

O’Neal has served as the workforce development program director for Brooklyn Park since 2021 where she led workforce development initiatives. This included the launch of a workforce development division for Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, increasing revenue from $300,000 to more than $1 million and securing a $500,000 legislative appropriation in 2024. She also currently works as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas.

She also has directed $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to expand job training and partnered with the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth, connecting more than 3,000 low-income families to affordable college opportunities, according to the release.

She has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in social work from Saint Catherine University and a master’s degree in social work from Augsburg University.

“Her proven leadership in workforce development, commitment to equity, and ability to drive innovative solutions will be invaluable as we continue to expand opportunities to create meaningful outcomes for our residents, businesses and communities,” said Kari Collins, deputy county manager of economic growth and community investment.