Department Leadership

Joanette Freeman is the director of Mecklenburg County Human Resources. She oversees all aspects of the department including recruitment, learning and organizational effectiveness, employee relations and business partnerships, total rewards, the HR business office, and HR systems and technology.

Freeman joined the County in 2023 as deputy director of Human Resources.

Prior to working with the County, Freeman was Human Resources director for Guilford County and has served in a number of progressive roles, including executive director of Human Resources for Central Piedmont Community College. She is currently a member of CPS HR Consulting, is a board member of the Catapult Employers Association and has served as a board member of the North Carolina Chapter of the Public Sector Human Resources Association. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Pfeiffer University. Freeman is a certified HR Professional, holds a certification from the University of North Carolina School of Government–County Administration and currently is pursuing her Executive Leadership certification from Cornell University. 

Professional Organizations:

• Society for Human Resource Management
• The Charlotte Area Society for Human Resources Management
• World at Work
• The Public Sector Human Resources Association