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OPM director Kiran Ahuja steps down
Ahuja was nominated by the Senate for the post in 2021 after Vice President Kamala Harris voted in her favour in a tie-breaking vote.
Kiran Ahuja to step down as OPM Director / (Image - LinkedIn/Kiran Ahuja)
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), announced that its Indian American director Kiran Ahuja will be stepping down from the role, marking the end of her tenure as the longest-serving director in over ten years.
Ahuja, who made history as the first South Asian and Asian American woman to lead the office, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation's 2.2 million federal workers under the Biden-Harris Administration. “Serving in the Biden-Harris Administration, and in support of the 2.2 million federal workers who dedicate themselves to the American people, has been the honor of my life,” said Ahuja.
Her departure comes after nearly three years of impactful leadership, marked by significant achievements in strengthening the federal workforce and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, a statement by the office said.
“From my time as a civil rights lawyer in the Department of Justice, to my years as OPM’s Chief of Staff, I’ve seen the power that public service has to change lives, rebuild communities, and make our nation stronger. We have accomplished so much these last three years at OPM, but I am most proud of the friendships and bonds we built together in public service,” Ahuja further added.
Over the course of nearly three years, Ahuja played a central role as the primary human resource authority within the Biden-Harris Administration. During this time, she spearheaded initiatives aimed at enhancing the merit-based civil service, including implementing a $15 minimum wage for federal employees and reinstating the Presidential Rank Awards.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (ODEIA) was also established under her leadership fostering a more inclusive workplace. She also worked to expand opportunities for early career talent through the Pathways Programs.
OPM Deputy Director Rob Shriver hailed Ahuja’s leadership stating, “Under Kiran’s leadership, OPM has bounced back stronger than ever and partnered with agencies across government to better serve the American people. Kiran represents the very best of the Biden-Harris Administration, and I am honored to call her a dear colleague and friend.”
India-born Ahuja grew up in Georgia and started her career as an attorney at the Department of Justice. She went on to serve in President Barack Obama’s administration as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
She also served as the founding executive director of Chicago-based non-profit National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) and the CEO of Philanthropy Northwest, a regional network of philanthropic institutions, before joining OPM as the Chief of Staff in 2015.
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