CAO Message: Building a Stronger Future Together

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton:

Part of my vision for our organization is prioritizing communication, so I want to provide some updates as we work together to shape the future of our organization.  

Our organization remains grounded in its values as we continue to navigate challenges such as rising costs and uncertainty at the federal and state levels. Guided by our strategic plan, we are prioritizing funding decisions that align with our mission while ensuring operations move forward as normal. At the same time, we are exploring new ways to evaluate our impact in the communities we serve. 

On May 1, I will release my CAO recommended budget for consideration by the public and the Board. As we develop a fiscally responsible budget, I am mindful that our workforce and the services you provide to the public are our greatest asset. With labor negotiations beginning, I want to address the potential impact on our workforce. The budget and these negotiations are important to all employees. I want to assure you that the County remains committed to fair and productive negotiations that balance employee needs with our long-term financial sustainability. 

We will continue to prioritize competitive compensation and benefits, while remaining mindful of operating within responsible financial limits to be able to continue to provide essential services to the community. 

In the upcoming months, you can expect periodic updates as negotiations progress, while respecting the confidentiality of the bargaining process. We appreciate your patience and professionalism as negotiations take place. In the meantime, our operations continue as usual, ensuring we remain focused on serving our communities.  

These moments reinforce key pillars of our organizational culture – where we strive to be kind, be curious, be bold and do the right thing using HEART. In the coming weeks and months, you’ll hear more about how these principles, in alignment with our vision, mission, and values, guide us and the work we do for our region.  

 Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work. 

CAO Message: Honoring a National Day of Service

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton:

As County employees, you have chosen to serve the community and each other every day.

On Monday, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader who championed justice, equity and service. His dream of a society rooted in equality and compassion inspires us to take action to improve our communities. This is why MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, encouraging all of us to embody his vision through acts of kindness and solidarity.

Your work as public servants is a powerful reflection of Dr. King’s legacy. You collaborate with partners and individuals to move the region toward a just, sustainable and resilient future. Beyond your professional roles, many of you extend this commitment by volunteering your time, supporting causes close to your heart, and working to uplift those in need.

I am truly proud to work alongside all of you as we live out the vision of promoting equity and service to others.

One opportunity to make a difference in our region is by joining hundreds of your fellow employees and others the morning of Thursday, Jan. 30 to connect with people experiencing homelessness. That effort, known as the Point in Time Count, helps bring valuable funding to the region to serve and support this vulnerable population.

County employees are a significant part of making this annual count possible. Employees are paid for volunteering. Supervisor approval is needed to participate. Learn more about how to register.

You can also give back through the San Diego County Employees Charitable Organization (CECO), which provides grants to local nonprofits and assistance to employees and retirees in crisis. CECO is funded by the generosity of employees and retirees through donations and volunteer efforts. Learn more about how your contributions make a difference.

Dr. King reminded us that “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Your dedication to service answers that question daily. Whether through your work or personal efforts, you are building a stronger, more compassionate San Diego. Thank you for all you do to honor his legacy and make a difference in our community.

CAO Message: An Important Message About Disaster Preparedness

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton:

Seeing the impacts of the fires in Los Angeles County is both devastating and deeply relatable. Here in San Diego County, we have seen and responded to similar emergencies and know the stress and heartbreak that can often accompany them.  

With windy, elevated fire conditions still in the local forecast, please take a few minutes to review some critical information to make sure you’re ready for an emergency. 

As County employees, we play an important role.  

First, make sure you and your family are prepared. AlertSanDiego provides resources, including these four important steps: 

Next, be aware that we are all designated Disaster Service Workers. What does that mean? If you look at the backside of your employee badge, government code sections 3100 and 3101 states all public employees are “Disaster Service Workers subject to such activities as may be assigned by law.” You may be called on to support response and recovery efforts, possibly outside of your assigned, day-to-day responsibilities. 

Lastly, you can receive specialized disaster response training through an Office of Emergency Services program that prepares employee participants in advance of emergencies, often in areas they are passionate about. Learn more and apply.  

As a County team, our hearts go out to those impacted by these fires. If you need support, resources are available to you through the County’s Employee Assistance Program. 

Stay safe and be prepared. 

CAO Message: Thank You for a Great Year

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton:

As 2024 draws to a close, I want to say thank you. 

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the year-end celebration event at the County Operations Center recently. You can see all of the festivities in this video. 

I join the leadership team in sharing my gratitude with every employee. Your dedication and passion for supporting the community and each other is what keeps me grounded. You can be proud of the impact your work has made in ways big and small.  

You—our County workforce—are the heart of this organization. Your work drives equity, sustainability, access and other values critical to moving the region forward. In 2024, we overcame challenges, celebrated successes and embraced change together, something we will continue to do in 2025, keeping our focus on our mission and vision. We are prepared for whatever comes our way.   

I look forward to our continued collaboration in the new year. Until then, I hope this season brings you peace, relaxation, and cherished moments with your loved ones. I’m truly grateful for our incredible team and all that we’ve accomplished together. Thank you for everything!  

CAO Message: Thankful for You and the Work You Do

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the incredible work you do every day to ensure everyone in our region is served. What you do truly makes a difference, and I’m so grateful to be part of this amazing, diverse team.

This year, I’m feeling especially thankful for the chance to start this new chapter in my public service journey surrounded by such talented and dedicated people. Our team is strengthened by the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences each of you brings, and that diversity is what makes us not just greater, but more impactful in advancing the strategic vision of our Board and the work we do for our community. Supported by this new leadership team, our diverse perspectives and collective innovation will undoubtedly elevate the County to new heights.

How ever you may be celebrating—whether through traditional Thanksgiving customs, cultural traditions, or simply taking time to reflect—I hope this season brings you warmth, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As I look forward to spending time with my family and thinking about what I’m most grateful for, you’ll be right there at the top of my list.

Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, meaningful, and memorable Thanksgiving.

CAO Message: Changes in HHSA

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton:

Hi Team,

Communication with each other is important – it helps build relationships and trust, and it’s vital as we look toward the future of our organization as one County team. With that, I want to share some recent changes in the Health and Human Services Agency that will help us provide more effective services reflective of the communities we serve.

Planning is underway for the merger of various offices of the department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities (HSEC) into several Agency departments. The Office of Homeless Solutions will become part of Housing and Community Development Services, to better address the full continuum of homelessness needs, from outreach and shelter to permanent housing. The Office of Equitable Communities will join with the Office of Strategy and Innovation to align efforts around community and organizational engagement. And the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs will join Self Sufficiency Services to provide better alignment of common resources and partnerships.

In addition, the Public Health Services Department and Medical Care Services Department will merge, bringing together two departments that have long shared the mission of enhancing the well-being of our community.

Thank you to the teams who will make these organizational moves a success and to the Agency’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kimberly Giardina for leading the way. And thank you to the entire County team for supporting each other and our organization as we move into the future.

CAO Message: Join Me in Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton.

We are in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and this year’s theme is especially meaningful to me and to our organization.

The theme is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.

My father was a pioneer and paved the way for me to follow his path.

He came to the U.S. from El Salvador, leaving behind a devastating civil war. I grew up here in San Diego, a binational region rich with Hispanic traditions, culture and heritage.

It led me to where I am today, with you, as the first Afro-Latina to serve as the County’s Chief Administrative Officer. I am proud to represent a part of the meaningful and exciting changes taking place in our organization to ensure we reflect the communities we serve.

Additionally, this year’s theme could apply to all of us at the County as we manage changes in the workplace, community and the world.

Thirty-five percent of County employees identify as Hispanic or Latino. Our San Diego County Latino Association was the first Employee Resource Group to form, and it recently celebrated its 41st anniversary. The group is truly a pioneer in our organization, and we now have 11 Employee Resource Groups to extend this sense of belonging.

Our County organization and the entire region is incredibly diverse with many different ethnicities, cultural roots and social foundations. It is this diversity that makes the County stronger and helps us understand the neighbors and communities we serve.

By valuing and prioritizing belonging, we broaden our horizons helping us come together with the community to take out challenges large and small.

Please join me in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Learn more about the month’s history and ideas to commemorate this important occasion. And consider joining the San Diego County Association or another Employee Resource Group. They offer resources and events – it’s a great way to learn, meet other team members and have an even greater appreciation for the diversity of our county.

Let’s take our lead from this year’s theme. I look forward to working alongside you as, together, we shape a bright future for the County and the region.

Get To Know Your CAO

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Text Transcript of Image

Get to Know Your CAO 

What is your leadership style? 
I have spent the last few years in a coaching mode - meeting the organizations needs to grow and empower financial leaders. I’m transitioning to a visionary leader to meet the needs of the organization in my new role. 

What is a transformational moment in your life?  
Two come to mind – the birth of my first child. And, finding my family through Ancestry DNA matching. 

Why did you apply for the CAO job? 
I stepped up for the County team to provide some level of certainty during a period that has felt uncertain. I want to lead the transformation of the organization rather than have it led by someone who maybe wouldn’t understand the people and culture of this organization as well. 

What food can you not live without and one you don’t ever want to taste again? 
Can’t live without coffee! I’d be OK if I never see, smell or taste a red or green bell pepper again.  

What are your favorite hobbies?  
Cooking (not bell peppers!), murder mystery podcasts, being outside, and taking long walks at night. 

How do you stay organized? 
At work, I look weeks and months ahead to understand where I’m going, and what we need to focus on. I like to use visual dashboards and timelines to help coordinate overall activities – tools to help me step back and not micromanage. At home, I share a family calendar with immediate family and close friends so that we can coordinate and manage scheduling conflicts. 

How do you relieve stress?  
Physical movement and paying attention to sleep. I’m a big fan of rest for myself and others. I don’t subscribe to the so-called “hustle culture” – an attitude that promotes working long hours at the expense of meeting personal needs. I will ramp up when I need to meet the moment, but that’s not my default mode. 

What are your strengths?
Many departments use the Clifton Strengths assessment to learn about someone’s unique combination of strengths. Mine are communication, futurist, harmony, positivity and consistency. 

What’s your favorite place to eat? 
Panera – soup and salad is my favorite.  

What is your secret talent?  
Baking – my friends and family enjoy my Reese’s cake the most. 

What’s your favorite family activity?  
I have two young children in addition to my older one, so that means most events involve kids’ activities – things like play dates, birthday parties, gymnastics. I also enjoy spending time at the beach, pool and park.  

Do you have pets? 
I’ve had many dogs over the years, but my girls are allergic to dogs, so we recently welcomed a cat into our home for my daughter’s birthday.  

What keeps you grounded?  
My humble upbringing in San Diego. I was born and raised here and stay close to my community. I know who I am and where I came from, and it is a reminder that I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams!  

I also credit my family and friends, many of them I grew up with, along with my faith, to keep me centered. I rely on the people I work with at all levels of the organization, and I keep my values in focus. 

How do you juggle work and family? 
There will always be distractions competing for time. I accept that. I focus on being present in situations that matter the most. For things that don’t require me to be personally present, I enlist help. Also, my partner and I discuss how to share the mental and physical load. And, I remember to make myself a priority before I give to others. 

What is your overall philosophy? 
When dealing with people, I try to focus on being kind, helpful and honest all at the same time (or be quiet). I don’t always get it right, but this allows me to avoid gossiping and to set boundaries.