Joy Hermsen is an experienced workforce innovation solutions architect, developing strategic partnerships across systems to help students launch their careers. Joy’s expertise comes from leading successful teams in public and private organizations. She recently built innovative work-based learning internships, apprenticeship pathways and industry partnerships as part of the Workforce Economic Development Division at the CA Community Colleges. She also has been Director of Operations, Director of HR & Strategy, Director of Training & Development and Director of Employee Engagement & Community Relations from Fortune 500 companies to local, family-owned companies.  

Joy earned her master’s degree in business administration from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, and her bachelor’s degree in political science at UCD. She is an alumna of the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy. She has served as president on several boards, including the UCD GSM Alumni Association and Girls on the Run Sonoma County.