Strengthening People and Building Purposeful Careers: Dr. Deserey Henry 

From shaping supportive workplace cultures to strengthening the teams behind essential social services, Dr. Deserey Henry approaches public service with a deep sense of purpose, gratitude, and commitment to the people she serves. As Human Resources Manager and Freedom of Information Manager at the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), she plays a vital role in supporting the people who work every day to protect children and strengthen families across the Cayman Islands. 

A proud Caymanian and former Government scholarship recipient for both her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree, Dr. Henry was inspired to join the Cayman Islands Civil Service after witnessing the Government’s commitment to students pursuing higher education and the support offered to returning graduates. That commitment, which begins as early as high school through guidance, exposure to career pathways, and encouragement, reflects an understanding that today’s students may one day contribute across the public sector, private sector, or even through entrepreneurship. In her words, working for the Government is her way of giving back for what was invested in her. Now seven years into her Civil Service career, she continues to serve with pride, purpose, and a strong belief in public service. 

A Role That Supports People 

In her dual role at DCFS, Dr. Henry is responsible for managing human resources functions while also serving as Freedom of Information Manager. Her work spans key areas of human resource management, including recruitment, staff development, policy implementation, retention, and employee wellbeing. These functions are essential to ensuring the department is equipped to deliver its mandate effectively within the public sector, while working alongside other areas of Government that interact with procurement, financial services, and operational planning. 

Human resources within a social services environment is complex and requires thoughtful decision-making, particularly in a department that supports services connected to child protection, family stability, and broader health care outcomes. Advocacy is also an important part of her role, as she works to ensure staff voices are heard and that policies are applied fairly and consistently. Dr. Henry finds this work deeply meaningful and credits the support of her Director, Paulinda Mendoza-Williams, as a key influence in her professional journey, noting that her coaching, mentoring, and transformational leadership have been invaluable. 

At DCFS, collaboration and balance are part of the culture. While the work is demanding, the department also values connection, wellness, and team spirit. This environment, she believes, helps staff remain engaged and motivated, ultimately improving services delivered to stakeholders across the Cayman Islands and strengthening trust in public institutions. 

Learning That Shapes Leadership 

Continuous learning has been central to Dr. Henry’s growth within the Civil Service. Over her seven years of service and years of experience in Government, she has participated in numerous learning and development programmes offered by the Civil Service College, the Portfolio of the Civil Service, and other training providers. 

She also completed her Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3 and Level 5 certificates, which have played a significant role in shaping her leadership style and professional methodology. These experiences strengthen her ability to lead teams that collaborate across Government, including with colleagues whose backgrounds may span the private sector or who bring experience from organisations across North America and other international jurisdictions. This diversity of perspectives supports strong governance and informed public service delivery. 

For Dr. Henry, these opportunities demonstrate that the Civil Service values professional development and encourages civil servants to grow throughout their careers. 

Support When It Matters Most 

The Civil Service’s commitment to employee wellbeing became especially meaningful to Dr. Henry in 2024, when she utilised the enhanced maternity leave policy. As a mother who delivered twin boys prematurely at 24 weeks, the combination of enhanced maternity leave, annual leave, bereavement leave, and flexible work arrangements allowed her to spend critical time with her family. 

While grieving the loss of one twin, being at home supported her mental wellbeing. Dr. Henry says this experience showed her how much the Cayman Islands Government truly cares about its employees, recognising that a strong and resilient workforce is essential to effective public service. 

Making Lives Better Through Human Resources 

Dr. Henry sees a direct connection between her role and Government’s purpose of Making Lives Better. As an HR professional at DCFS, she helps ensure the department recruits, develops, and retains a skilled and compassionate workforce. 

Effective workforce planning, supported by sound financial management, clear policies, and reliable information technology systems, enables staff to focus on delivering essential services. By creating an environment where staff can thrive, whether they have experience rooted in public service, the private sector, or entrepreneurial thinking, the Civil Service strengthens its ability to meet the evolving needs of the community. 

Advice for Future Civil Servants 

For those considering a career in the Civil Service, Dr. Henry offers thoughtful advice. Working in public service, she says, is more than a job. It is a calling. 

She encourages individuals, including students beginning to think about their future careers while still in high school, to approach public service with a genuine desire to serve and uplift the community. Building strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, and remaining open to continuous learning, can prepare individuals for meaningful careers across Government and beyond. 

Serving Cayman with Pride 

Having spent seven years in the Civil Service and one year and eleven months with the Department of Children and Family Services, Dr. Deserey Henry continues to serve with professionalism, empathy, and pride. Her journey reflects the heart of the I Am a Civil Servant campaign, highlighting the people behind public service and reinforcing the Civil Service as a place where Caymanians can build stable, meaningful careers while contributing to their country. 

Through her work, she demonstrates that public service is not only about policies and processes, but about people supporting people, so that lives across the Cayman Islands can truly be made better.