Michelle Kuka is now San Mateo County's permanent Human Resources director after the Board of Supervisors took up her confirmation at a special meeting Tuesday, July 21, completing a County Charter requirement following County Executive Mike Callagy's appointment.

Kuka, an 18-year county employee who has run the department on an interim basis since January, permanently oversees 78 staff members, an annual budget exceeding $26 million, and HR services for more than 6,000 county workers in health care, public safety, social services, housing, public works, elections, and parks.

Callagy announced his selection on July 16 after a competitive recruitment that drew candidates from inside and outside the organization. The County Charter requires the Board to confirm department head appointments made by the county executive.

"Every service we provide depends on talented and committed employees," Callagy said in the July 16 announcement. "Michelle knows what it takes to recruit and retain a strong public workforce. She's helped shape the department for years, and she understands both what employees need to succeed and what residents expect from County government."

Before stepping into the interim role, Kuka served as deputy director. She joined the county's HR department after working for a nonprofit serving vulnerable youth and their families, and rose through progressively broader leadership roles managing employee and labor relations, talent acquisition, equal employment opportunity, and policy development. She grew up in San Mateo County and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from UC Santa Barbara.

The department handles recruitment, employee and labor relations, classification and compensation, benefits and wellness, risk management, workforce development, and organizational training.

The special meeting was held at 9 a.m. at 500 County Center in Redwood City. The county has not yet published official minutes or a vote tally from the July 21 session. Residents can access Board of Supervisors agendas and meeting records at smcgov.org/bos.