SOIS National Council - Roynda E. Hartsfield

Roynda E. Hartsfield is a visionary leader in talent acquisition, diversity, and digital transformation, with a distinguished career spanning both the private sector and federal service. Currently serving as CIO of Obie & Ax Inc., and formerly Head of Talent Acquisition and Diversity at Devron, a federated machine learning startup.  Roynda is recognized for her commitment to fostering inclusive cultures and building high-performing, diverse teams that drive innovation. She has positioned the companies as a hub for passionate professionals advancing ethical AI, championing human-centric talent management, and industry-leading standards for diversity and inclusion.

Previously, Roynda retired from the Central Intelligence Agency after a remarkable 30-year tenure, where she held several pivotal roles. As Senior Digital Intelligence Officer and Head of Digital Talent Acquisition, she revolutionized the agency’s recruitment strategies and increased the diversity pipeline in STEM disciplines.  Her innovative approaches to candidate targeting and engagement led to a 200% surge in filling hard-to-fill STEM roles, earning her a reputation as a creative problem-solver and strategic leader.

Roynda’s expertise extends to leading cross-functional teams and managing transformative initiatives. As Deputy to the CIA Director’s Diversity in Leadership Study, she spearheaded data-driven strategies that resulted in significant enhancements to agency-wide diversity and inclusion efforts. Her leadership in this capacity included briefing senior agency officials and congressional committees, as well as implementing actionable recommendations that have had a lasting impact. Her career culminated in receiving the CIA’s Career Intelligence Medal.  This medal highlights her cumulative record of service and reflects exceptional achievements that significantly contributed to the Agency's mission.

A sought-after speaker, Roynda has delivered keynote addresses at national STEM events, including the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), HRO Today, and #NatSecGirls Squad, further establishing her as a respected voice in the fields of diversity, talent management, and innovation.

Roynda’s daughter, Anna, is currently a Biomedical engineering student at RIT.