Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryle Henderson Hatch.
Hi Bryle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a proud North Carolina native. I attended college at North Carolina A&T State University and never thought NC would be my long-term home after graduation. Like many young professionals, I was one of those people who thought the state wasn’t big enough for my future, but as I’ve matured and grown in my career, I have found North Carolina to be the absolute perfect place for me.
My career story has certainly had its share of twists and turns along the way. I was fortunate to have some amazing career opportunities in my twenties in Washington, D.C., that shaped my commitment to public service and ultimately led me back to North Carolina. Upon returning, I worked in the NC Community College System, followed by the Duke University School of Medicine, and then had the honor of leading community engagement for my alma mater, North Carolina A&T State University.
By 2020, I had completed my PhD and had the desire to explore a new role, which led to a stint in West Virginia as Vice President and Chief of Staff for West Virginia State University. While the people were nice, West Virginia wasn’t home, and I wanted to get back to being forward-facing with the public again. I returned to NC and led an economic development initiative in High Point, where within a year we helped launch over 200 businesses and raised over $2 million in funding.
Wanting to get back to workforce development and public service, I soon found myself at NCDHHS. After four years, I’ve been fortunate to have multiple growth experiences, and now I get to shape the workforce experience for over 15,000 employees across the state.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth, linear highway—my road has been full of exits, detours, and rerouting experiences. Ultimately, though, I’ve been blessed to stay on a trajectory that truly works for my life and aligns with who I am.
Earlier in my career, some of my biggest struggles involved figuring out exactly what I wanted to do, where I wanted to be, and how to position myself for long-term impact. Once I had clarity on that, the next challenge was finding professional environments that genuinely welcomed my growth rather than trying to stifle or reduce what I brought to the table. Navigating spaces that weren’t always built for my full potential required resilience and self-advocacy.
Through those twists and turns, my entire mindset shifted. I learned to stop chasing titles and start chasing purpose and passion—trusting that when you align your work with what drives you, the right opportunities, recognition, and rewards naturally follow.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently serve as the Senior Deputy Director of Human Resources for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), where I lead workforce engagement, wellness programming, employee relations, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) across more than 30 divisions, 9 state healthcare facilities, and over 15,000 employees statewide.
If you ask those who have worked with me, I believe I’m best known for my charisma, my passion for public engagement, and my ability to connect with people during complex transitions—whether that involves major workforce shifts, economic changes, or evolving community landscapes. Looking back across my journey, I am most proud of my ability to endure through career shifts and changing priorities without ever losing sight of who I am or compromising my authentic self along the way.
At the end of the day, I recognize that there are many professionals with similar or even more powerful accolades and credentials. What truly sets me apart, however, is my ability to synthesize a wide range of fields. By bridging my multi-faceted background in higher education leadership, workforce development, and economic and community engagement, I am able to build holistic strategies that empower people to reach their full potential and ultimately transform the organizations and communities they inhabit for the better.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I attribute all of my success to my faith in God and to my parents and family, who have always told me I could do and be anything I wanted to do or be. That core foundation of belief has carried me through every phase of my life and career.
When it comes to those who have poured into me along the way, I’ve been blessed to meet incredible people who provided support, guidance, and encouragement—whether they knew it or not. I don’t get caught up in formal mentor titles or concepts, but I deeply acknowledge the people who have inspired and supported me.
While I am hesitant to name everyone for fear of leaving someone out, I have to give credit to the amazing professors and academic supporters who championed me early on, including the late Dr. Edward B. Fort (Chancellor Emeritus of North Carolina A&T State University), Dr. Myra Shird, Dr. Regina Williams-Davis, Dr. Geleana Alston, Dr. Comfort Okpala, Dr. Judy Rashid, and Dr. Sharon Waldrum.
I’ve also been guided by incredible professionals across my field, such as Charles Jones of the Washington, D.C. government and Bishop Daran H. Mitchell of the AME Zion Church, alongside numerous colleagues over the years who have evolved from peers into lifelong friends and confidants. Their wisdom, accountability, and belief in my potential have made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hatchbh
