Absala Mengestab
Chief Information Officer
D.C. Government, Department of HR
Absala Mengestab serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR), where she provides strategic leadership for the agency’s information technology initiatives. In this role, she directs critical IT modernization projects, strengthens information security frameworks, and enhances operational service delivery. Ms. Mengestab oversees the planning, development, and management of agency-wide technology services that advance DCHR’s mission-critical work serving District residents and employees.
Ms. Mengestab joined DCHR in 2016 as Program Manager under the Policy and Compliance Administration. In this role she led the automation efforts of the District’s pre-employment suitability program streamlining the background checks and substance screening protocols. Her career spans both public and private sectors, where she has consistently delivered transformational results through the implementation of enterprise-wide, customer-focused technical solutions. She brings extensive experience in systems administration, operations, and program management.
Ms. Mengestab holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland, University College.