CGA Team
Celisa Stephens, Senior Advisor
Celisa Stephens is an accomplished leader and human resources professional with over four decades of federal service, including both civil service and active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Celisa Stephens was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2016, held two Executive Director positions within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and retired from civil service in 2023.
As the Executive Director of Cybersecurity Intelligence Talent Experience, she was responsible for designing, developing, and delivering human resources policies, programs, operations, and new strategies to foster agility and inclusion within the cyber and intelligence workforce. She managed a staff of 38 employees with six direct reports. Ms. Stephens provided executive direction and oversight in the delivery and management of the operational human resources office, which was responsible for delivering the full range of services associated with the Alternative Personnel System—Cybersecurity Talent Management System (CTMS). Ms. Stephens served as the principal advisor and consultant to the Chief Human Capital Officer and other department officials on all activities related to human capital management for cybersecurity and intelligence operations.
As the Executive Director for Human Resources Management Services, Ms. Stephens was dual-hatted as the DHS HQ Human Capital Officer, providing expert advice and guidance on human resources methods, organizational analysis, and service delivery. She was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day human resource servicing operations in the areas of recruitment, classification, employee and labor relations, performance management, benefits and retirements, executive services, accountability, business analytics, payroll processing, and human resources training for a staff of 120 employees, serving over 5,000 employees.
Before DHS, Ms. Stephens served as the Deputy Director of the Civilian Force Management Policy Directorate for Headquarters Air Force. In this role, she exercised supervisory and managerial authorities over a diverse directorate responsible for all functional areas of civilian personnel policies, work-year management, strategic workforce planning, and the implementation and sustainment of all civilian personnel systems, including alternative personnel systems and demonstration projects.
Prior to these roles, she held progressively senior positions within the Department of Defense, as well as served as Human Resources Director in both the non-profit and hospitality sectors.
Ms. Stephens retired from the active-duty Air Force after 23 years of service, in which she held positions at base, wing, major command, and Air Force headquarters levels within the US and overseas.
Ms. Stephens received her M.S. in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar at the University of Virginia. As a career civilian, she has been awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award for her accomplishments in five positions.