Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed Traci J. Deshazor as Virginia’s next secretary of administration, naming a longtime public administrator with experience in local, state and federal government.

“The Secretary of Administration is entrusted with overseeing critical functions in our Commonwealth — from making sure Virginians can exercise their right to vote to supporting the Virginians who have chosen to serve their neighbors across state government. Virginians deserve a knowledgeable leader who understands these operations,” Spanberger said. “Throughout her career, Deshazor has been focused on making Virginia’s government work better for the people at both the state and local levels.” 

Deshazor said her work has centered on strengthening government operations and public trust. 

“Throughout my career, I have worked across municipal and state government, and federal intergovernmental affairs to ensure that public institutions are effective, and centered on delivering results for the people they serve,” Deshazor said. “As Secretary of Administration, I will bring a people-first, outcomes-driven approach to strengthening Virginia’s operations, promoting transparency,and strengthening trust in government.” 

Deshazor is a Danville native and has served in several senior government roles. In Richmond, she was deputy chief administrative officer for human services, overseeing a six-agency portfolio with more than 1,000 employees. During that time, she helped establish the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services and served as the city’s first chief equity officer. 

At the state level, Deshazor served as deputy secretary of the commonwealth under Govs. Ralph S. Northam and Terence R. McAuliffe, supervising eight divisions responsible for constitutional and administrative functions. In that role, she supported clemency work that included restoration of civil and voting rights for more than 300,000 Virginians across the two administrations. 

Earlier in her career, she served as Virginia’s deputy director of intergovernmental affairs, working with Congress, the White House and federal agencies. 

Deshazor is a graduate of Virginia Tech and Hollins University and has completed leadership programs at the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Yale University.