Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster and confirmed by the SC Senate as the first director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development (OSWD) and is leading the effort to coordinate, align, and direct workforce efforts across South Carolina. The goal of the OSWD is to implement projects assigned by the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development to maximize available resources and create a customer-centric workforce development system that is accessible, effective, and easy to navigate. Prior to her current role, Battle-Bryant was the president and owner of Battle Plan Consulting, LLC which was a full-service human resource, workforce development, and public outreach consulting firm. Additionally, she was the vice-president of Human Resources and Workforce Development at United Infrastructure Group; assistant executive director, Workforce & Economic Development, at South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce; vice-president of Corporate Training & Economic Development at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, and in progressive management positions at SCANA Corporation/Dominion Energy in Customer Service, Corporate Training, Gas Operations, and Call Center Operations. She is also a keynote speaker and author of her research on teams, team communications and behaviors, and workforce issues. She co-authored The Workforce Development Playbook (2021) and developed a comprehensive workforce assessment (2024) to aid SC employers in assessing and close their workforce gaps, in partnership with the South Carolina Manufacturing Partnership (SCMEP. Battle-Bryant is a graduate of Auburn University where she received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing and Sales, and a Master of Business Administration. She received a doctorate degree at the University of South Carolina in Higher Education Administration in 2009. She is a published author, certified economic developer, SHRM Certified Professional, DISC coach/consultant, and an authorized SHRM Recertification Credit Provider. She is married to Drayton Bryant, has one daughter, Vivian, and a myriad of rescued dogs and cats, as well as songbirds…and whatever else Mother Nature drops at her feet. Animal rescue and wildlife protection are personal passions, as well as being an avid runner, Pilates instructor, and Sudoku addict.