Rachel Pierre, MSW, Appointed Acting Director of DC’s Department of Human Services

The Howard University School of Social Work is delighted to announce that alumna Rachel Pierre, MSW, MBA has been appointed Acting Director of the Department of Human Services (D.C.) (DHS) as of October 9, 2025. Her appointment comes at a critical juncture, and underscores the exceptional leadership that Howard prepares in the field of social work and human services.

Rachel brings more than 20 years of experience across the nonprofit and public sectors to this role. Since joining DHS in December 2020 as Administrator for the Family Services Administration, she has led major efforts to expand housing access, youth-services programming, street outreach, homelessness prevention and diversion, and broader community-based supports. Her tenure has included multiple interim-director assignments, including most recently in 2023, demonstrating the trust and stability she brings to agency leadership. 

Her career began as a child-welfare social worker and has included senior leadership roles such as Chief Operating Officer at Pathways to Housing DC and senior management at Lutheran Social Services (DC).  Her experience spans homeless services, juvenile-justice diversion, emergency response coordination and strong inter-agency partnerships. At DHS, she spearheaded the launch of the Peer Case Management Institute, oversaw federal Block Grant administration, and strengthened youth-services infrastructure. 

Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University, an MSW from Howard University, and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. 

We were honored to have Sandra Edmond Crewe, Professor and Dean Emeritus of the School of Social Work, in attendance at Rachel’s confirmation hearing—an indication of both institutional support and the deep ties between our alumni and the profession. We look forward to the innovative leadership Rachel will bring to DHS and congratulate her on this milestone achievement.

Click here to learn more about A.D. Rachel Pierre