Wilder School alumna Tamarah Holmes, Ph.D., has been appointed director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) by Abigail Spanberger, marking a significant leadership appointment for the commonwealth.

Holmes brings a record of large-scale implementation and measurable impact. As former director of the Virginia Office of Broadband, she led a major expansion of statewide connectivity, growing the program from $1 million to more than $750 million and positioning Virginia to achieve universal broadband access by 2029.

Her leadership has also been recognized beyond state government. Holmes was recently named to Virginia Business magazine’s “100 People to Meet in 2026,” highlighting leaders shaping the commonwealth’s future through innovation and public service.

A graduate of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs doctoral program in public policy and administration and the Virginia Executive Institute, Holmes represents the kind of practitioner the school aims to prepare. Her work reflects a commitment to public service and advancing solutions that improve outcomes for communities across Virginia.

Holmes will be honored April 15 at the Excellence in Virginia Government Awards for her work expanding broadband access across the state, a recognition that underscores the scale and significance of her impact.