In the latest chapter of her career in workforce development, human resources (HR), and military service, Lisa Darlene Duckworth is a local veteran employment representative for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. She is a key part of the organization’s Veteran & Military Employment Services division, where she educates employers in the state on integrating veterans into the workforce. Additionally, Ms. Duckworth is the core leadership director for the Utah chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, furthering her commitment to advancing HR practices.
Ms. Duckworth’s extensive professional history began with five years of service in the U.S. Army, enlisting in 1992. She built her expertise in human resources during this time as a division headquarters chaplain assistant, chaplaincy resources manager, and HR manager. After retiring from military service, she accepted a position as an office manager at Champion Home Exteriors, where she worked while pursuing higher education alongside her daughter. Focused on recruiting, onboarding and training new employees, this opportunity naturally led her toward her career path.
While continuing to establish herself professionally, Ms. Duckworth gained experience as an HR generalist at Headwaters Inc. and an HR adviser and on-site training coordinator for the Employers Council. In 2012, she took on the position of director of public relations and webmaster for the Salt Lake branch of the Society for Human Resource Management while concurrently working as an HR adviser with The American National Red Cross. Ms. Duckworth’s most recent contributions prior to joining the Utah Department of Workforce Services include time as an HR business partner at Helios (now doing business as Optum), a human capital business partner at UnitedHealth Group, director of public relations and social media for the Utah branch of the Society for Human Resource Management, HR business partner and military caregiver resource group founder at Intermountain Health, and senior HR business partner and member of the mayor’s veterans coalition for Salt Lake City.
Providing a formidable educational foundation for her career, Ms. Duckworth earned an associate degree from Salt Lake Community College, a Bachelor of Science in business management from the David Eccles School of Business at The University of Utah, and a Master of Science in management and leadership from Western Governors University. She has pursued continued personal development through a range of certifications: in diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace through the University of South Florida; as a senior professional in HR through the HR Certification Institute; in veterans at work and employing abilities at work through the Society for Human Resource Management; and in lean initiative Six Sigma training through Headwaters Inc.
Reflecting her commitment to professional excellence, Ms. Duckworth is active with several organizations relevant to her industry. Most notably, she serves as the co-chair of the military chapter of Silicon Slopes, a nonprofit organization that promotes business growth in Utah. She has shared her insight with several groups within the Salt Lake Chamber, including the workforce committee, the military affairs committee, the diversity and inclusion council, and the housing gap coalition. Among other noteworthy inclusions, she maintains membership in the HR Mavericks, the Society for Human Resource Management and 15Five Inc.
Receiving accolades for her achievement, Ms. Duckworth was presented with the Living Color Award by The University of Utah in 2024. Soon afterwards, he was named the 2025 Veteran of the Year by Military Friendly, an organization that supports veteran-friendly hiring practices. For her success, she credits determination and a mindset that views obstacles as mere challenges she is driven to overcome.
Known for her civic contributions, Ms. Duckworth has served as a team leader for A Bolder Way Forward through Utah State University’s Utah Women & Leadership Project since 2023. This endeavor seeks to support women stepping into leadership roles throughout the state. Devoted to helping young women thrive, Ms. Duckworth was a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of Utah for 10 years. She had previously been involved with the Veterans & Service Women Impact Team through A Bolder Way Forward. Ms. Duckworth also was a military community ambassador for the Society for Human Resource Management and a featured cancer survivor with Needs Beyond Medicine.
Viewing the future with optimism, Ms. Duckworth aims to leave every environment better than she found it and strives to make a positive impact within her community. This desire mirrors her overall progression through a career that has been as much about helping others as succeeding for herself. She hopes that her journey can inspire people and create lasting ripples that benefit future generations.