Agnes Cholewa Named Arlington’s New Director of Human Resources

Agnes Cholewa has been selected as Arlington County’s new Director of Human Resources, County Manager Mark Schwartz announced this week. Cholewa was hired following a nationwide recruitment by an independent executive search firm that was conducted after Marcy Foster, Arlington’s HR Director since July 2003, announced her retirement. Cholewa will begin her new role effective September 8, 2026.

"I am pleased to welcome Agnes to Arlington County to lead the organization’s internal operations that support all employees,” Schwartz said. “Agnes has a deep understanding of our region, the local workforce, and the diverse disciplines that make up a successful Human Resources department—all of which will help ensure Arlington County Government is ready for the workforce of the future."

As the Director of Human Resources, Cholewa will be responsible for formulating and implementing strategies and designing programs that increase organizational effectiveness and allow employees to meet the business needs of the County and the community. The department includes recruitment and hiring, professional development, employee relations, performance management, benefits, and more. The department is also responsible for attracting and retaining qualified employees by making Arlington an Employer of Choice.

"Arlington County's commitment to being a high-performing, learning and caring organization – and an employer of choice – strongly align with the values that have guided my career in public service," said Agnes Cholewa. "I am honored to begin the next chapter of my public service journey with Arlington, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation, working alongside Arlington's talented workforce and leadership to ensure the County remains positioned to deliver exceptional service to the community."

Before joining the County, Cholewa worked for the District of Columbia beginning in 2012. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director for the District of Columbia Department of Human Resources. In her role, Cholewa oversaw the full lifecycle of human capital management, including recruitment and staffing, compensation, benefits, performance management, organizational development, policy and compliance, and workforce measurement and planning. She also developed organization-wide strategies informed by workforce analytics and led multiple business process improvement initiatives, including implementing electronic personnel records and HR dashboards and scorecards. 

Before serving as the Deputy Director, Cholewa held several key positions in DC, including Chief of Staff; Associate Director for Strategic Human Capital; and Measurement, Analysis, and Planning Specialist. 

Earlier in her career, Cholewa worked as a Senior Research Associate for a contractor supporting the U.S. Department of Justice, where she designed performance metrics and evaluated the effectiveness of federally funded criminal justice programs. 

Cholewa earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's degree in forensic psychology from Marymount University. She also completed a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management from the University of Maryland University College and is a graduate of The George Washington University’s Executive Leadership Program.