Maryland Department of Labor Announces Rachel Torres as Assistant Secretary for the Division of Unemployment Insurance

BALTIMORE, MD (June 3, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Labor today announced Rachel Torres has joined the agency as Assistant Secretary for the Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI). Torres will lead the agency’s UI program.

Prior to this role, Torres served as Administrator and National Director of Job Corps at the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Employment Training Administration, providing leadership and oversight of the $1.7 billion program and its 123 centers across the country. She has held other leadership roles in federal government, including Associate Administrator for Administrative Operations in USDOL Wage and Hour Division, Director of Management and Administrative Programs in the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Chief Diversity Officer at the U.S. Department of Education. In these roles she has led change across a host of key areas including: professional development, implementation of agile methodology, modernization of legacy information technology systems and diversity and inclusion.

“Rachel Torres is an exceptionally talented and experienced leader. We are excited to have her join the Labor Department to lead the Unemployment Insurance program so it can better serve workers and businesses,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Unemployment Insurance impacts millions of Marylanders every day. Rachel’s leadership will further our goals to put people first support local employers and Maryland’s economy.”

Torres holds both a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College, City University of New York.

The Department of Labor strives to create an equitable and inclusive Maryland where all residents have the opportunities and resources to attain financial stability, reach their career potential, and contribute to their communities; where businesses have access to capital and the skilled workforce they need to succeed; where workplaces are safe and well-regulated; and where the economy is resilient and growing. For updates and information, follow Labor on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and visit our website.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Mangrum