In recognition of her contributions to both her profession and community, in 2023, Ms. Wells Handy received merit awards from state and city entities.
BROOKLYN, NY, May 29, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Edna Wells Handy, JD, MPA, has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Wells Handy currently serves as the president and chief executive officer of Legal Skills Center LLC, a position she has held since 2018. In this role, she is responsible for providing executive leadership, strategic planning, and ensuring smooth operations within organizations. Day to day, she focuses on building strong client relationships and nurturing business growth, as well as leveraging her extensive experience in crisis management, governance, and investigation to guide her company toward success.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Wells Handy was a senior advisor and acting chief compliance officer for the New York City Housing Authority from 2017 to 2018, during which time her responsibilities included overseeing compliance initiatives and advising on best practices to ensure organizational integrity. Between 2014 and 2017, she served as counsel to the police commissioner of the New York City Police Department. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in developing public safety strategies that fostered collaboration between the police force and community members.
Leading up to her time as counsel, Ms. Wells Handy enjoyed nearly three years in the role of commissioner of the New York City Department of Administrative Services; from 2010 to 2014, she championed the principles of "Reinventing Government," thereby ensuring managerial efficiency and good governance. As deputy attorney general for administration at the New York State Attorney General's Office from 2007 to 2010, she managed administrative functions and contributed to the overall governance of the office.
Ms. Wells Handy began her legal career in the Southern District of New York; first as law clerk to the late Honorable Lawrence W. Pierce, then as an Assistant United States Attorney there. She continued her work in prosecution as a Bureau Chief in the Kings County District Attorney's Office and Deputy Attorney General for NYS. In these capacities, she honed her skills to become a seasoned litigator and keen investigator.
Along with learning the art of litigation and the science of investigation/compliance/monitoring, Ms. Wells Handy's career branched into public administration. She worked as the deputy executive director of human resources at the New York City Department of Education from 2004 to 2007, where she led human resource initiatives that supported educational staff across the city. Her leadership skills were also evident during her time as interim executive director of Hale House, from 2001 to 2002, and as vice president for legal affairs and general counsel at the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, from 1992 to 1996. Additionally, she was the executive director of the New York State Judicial Commissions on Minorities from 1989 to 1992, where she worked towards promoting diversity and inclusion within the judicial system.
Growing up in the Marcy Houses, a public housing development, Ms. Wells Handy had aspirations to become an attorney and worked hard to achieve her dreams. The absence of lawyers in her community did not defeat her, and with the love of family and the strong moral values and discipline of faith, she persevered. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University in 2019, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University in 1976, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from New York University in 1972—academic pursuits that have significantly contributed to her understanding of public administration and law, enabling her to apply rigorous analytical skills and strategic thinking to her professional endeavors.
Beyond her educational and professional achievements, Ms. Wells Handy is deeply involved in civic activities that reflect her commitment to community service. She founded The Mike Handy Veterans Fund, with all proceeds going to veterans' organizations, and the Charles Peeples Memorial Fund to support human resources professionals in NYC public schools. Additionally, she volunteers every Saturday at a local food pantry and has participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for a decade. Additionally, Ms. Wells Handy served on the boards of the One Brooklyn Health Systems and the Brooklyn Bridge Park, further exemplifying her dedication to making a positive impact on her local community and society through collective efforts rather than individual endeavors—a principle she holds dear both professionally and personally.
In recognition of her contributions to both her profession and community, in 2023, Ms. Wells Handy received merit awards from state and city entities. Outside of her civic engagements, her personal life is rich with family connections and intellectual pursuits; she is a proud mother of four daughters, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren—all of whom she considers her greatest achievement. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, writing, reading, and participating in three book clubs. Looking ahead, Ms. Wells Handy is committed to expanding and consolidating her business over the next five years and aims to lay a strong foundation for its future growth. She will also anchor her work in social justice with the establishment of The National Institute for Section 3 Empowerment (NISE), a little known but powerfully important federal mandate designed to support the upward economic mobility to low/very-low-income persons and public housing residents.
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