Director Lisa Garrett leads HR for the nation’s largest county workforce nearly 100,000 employees across 40 departments. In this episode, she shares her LA story (Inglewood → UCLA → Southwestern Law), how HR is modernizing recruitment, telework, and talent pipelines, and why purpose-driven work keeps people in public service. A candid conversation on leadership, belonging, and the many places a County career can go.

Host: Rodney Collins

Producers: Tina Curry, Ramla Javed, Alban Kalasa, Mark Whitney, Sofia Khan

Editor: Alban Kalasa

Guest: Lisa M. Garrett

Live From LA County is a storytelling podcast that celebrates the voices and experiences of Los Angeles County employees. Centered on meaningful conversations, each episode features interviews with County leaders, changemakers, and team members across all levels, highlighting the depth and diversity of our workforce and the shared values that connect us all. From community engagement and cultural milestones to creative problem-solving and innovation, this podcast invites listeners into honest, inspiring discussions about what it means to serve Los Angeles County. It’s a space to listen, learn, and lead together with empathy and purpose. The podcast kicks off with the Living Library Series, a collection of candid conversations with LA County Department Heads. Hosted by Rodney Collins, Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Human Resources, this series offers a closer look at the personal and professional journeys of our County leaders. Each episode dives into unfiltered conversations about their values, career paths, challenges, accomplishments, and what makes their LA County story unique.