LaToya Hightower joined the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs in 2023 as the Human Resources Manager, bringing with her more than 15 years of extensive experience in human resources across both the public and private sectors. Her professional portfolio includes key roles in Personnel Management, Employee Engagement and Retention, Payroll Information Management Systems, Human Resources Information System, Employee Health and Benefits, Compensation and Job Analysis, Training and Development, and specialized expertise in Recruitment and Internal Placement.

LaToya is known for her unwavering passion, commitment, and dedication to the field of Human Resources. As the primary resource and advocate for all HR-related matters within the department, she approaches her role with empathy, strategic insight, and a people-first mindset. Her leadership ensures that the department’s workplace culture remains inclusive, supportive, and aligned with its broader mission to serve the cultural community.

A proud Miami native, LaToya’s roots in the arts and education run deep. She is an alumna of the Marshall L. Davis African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, where she first discovered and cultivated her love for the arts. She credits both the Miami-Dade County Public School System and the Marshall L. Davis African Heritage Cultural Arts Center for nurturing her creative and academic development.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida A&M University and a Master’s Degree from Columbia Southern University.