DPH Hires Two New Executive Leadership Team Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 2, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) today wishes to announce the hiring of two new members of the agency’s executive leadership team.

Holly Gillam has been hired as Information Technology Director for the agency, and Sharon Burke has been hired as DPH’s Chief Human Resources Officer.

“These two hires represent a tremendously positive direction for our agency,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, Interim Agency Director. “As interim IT director, Holly already has helped lead us through the enormous challenge of splitting off from the former DHEC to create a new state agency and has great institutional knowledge and professional respect.

“Meanwhile, Sharon comes to us with two decades of experience as an HR director in the public and private sector. We are thrilled to have them both in these roles that are so important to the success of the entire agency and the quality of life for the people of South Carolina.”

Gillam is a two-time graduate of the University of South Carolina, with both a bachelor’s (cum laude) and master's in technical geography. She began her working career as a part time instructor at Piedmont Technical College while working in the private sector for Westinghouse Electric Corporation (now Siemens) and then Shiloh Steel Fabricators. 

Gillam joined state government in 1995, working for USC’s institute of Archaeology and Anthropology as a GIS analyst until 2000, when she joined DHEC’s Division of Biostatistics. After working with spatial databases for DNR from 2005-2013, she returned to DHEC for good as the Enterprise Applications Director. She became interim Chief Information Officer in May 2023.

“I am very humbled and excited about this opportunity to lead the agency’s IT operations statewide,” Gillam said. “Our agency’s team of IT professionals is second to none in state government.”

Burke, most recently a resident of Asheville, North Carolina, has more than 20 years of experience as a Chief Human Resources Officer and HR Director, and her strategic leadership has consistently transformed organizations in both the public and private sectors. 

Burke has successfully led initiatives in talent management, employee engagement, and compensation. Under her leadership, her teams have consistently delivered results that improve operational efficiency while fostering inclusive, people-centered workplace cultures that align human capital strategies with business goals. 

Burke earned her undergraduate degree from Frankline Pierce University, holds an MBA from Plymouth State University and has post-graduate certifications in Human Resources and Organizational Communication. 

“I am thrilled to join the HR team and very eager to support the dedicated employees of the South Carolina Department of Public Health,” Burke said. “I have a deep commitment to employee well-being, and I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to positively impact the department's workforce and, as a result, contribute to the health and welfare of the people of South Carolina.” 

Gillam’s first day in her new role was Sept. 17. Burke began Oct. 2.

Gillam and Burke’s biography and headshot can be found here.

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