Ms Penn is one of two Deputy Directors who will serve as Acting Director in Mrs Donovan–Stevens’ absence. Deputy Director Ms Shavon Henley will also serve as Acting Director for a period immediately following the end of Ms Penn’s acting appointment. This decision was made with respect to the considerable period of study leave absence.

Deputy Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr David D. Archer, Jr said he is confident in Ms Penn’s ability to guide the Human Resources Department in Mrs Donovan-Steven’s absence.

“I have no doubt that Ms Penn’s impressive experience and work in Human Resources will enable her to steer the Department in a direction which benefits the staff at Human Resources as well as officers throughout the Public Service who rely on the Department’s services.”

Ms Penn brings to the role over 14 years of strategic public service experience. As Deputy Director since 2019, she was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of programmes which support succession and workforce planning and development. Ms Penn also administered an annual budget of $250K for workforce development programmes and provided career coaching and planning sessions for public officers as well as students at the secondary and tertiary levels.

As Acting Director of Human Resources, Ms Penn’s duties will include providing leadership and guidance on all aspects of the day-to-day activities of the department. She will also be responsible for managing the Human Resources and Training budgets and plans, and developing and implementing Government projects in order to ensure that human resources are managed and controlled consistently, effectively and efficiently across all ministries and departments.

Ms Penn will remain as Acting Director until December 31, 2022, after which Deputy Director Ms Shavon Henley will be appointed as Acting Director effective January 1, 2023, until June 30, 2023.