The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities has selected a new Executive Director from within.  Tanya Hughes — who had been serving as the Interim Executive Director — has been formally named the new CHRO Executive Director.

According to a press release issued by the CHRO on Thursday morning:

The nation’s first state-sponsored civil rights agency appointed Tanya Hughes as the new Executive Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities at its November 13, 2013 meeting.

The CHRO Chairman, Gary Collins, had this to say about the appointment:

The Commission voted both unanimously and enthusiastically to appoint Tanya Hughes as executive director because our goal is to solidify our position as the nation’s leading governmental civil rights agency….As we turn our attention to the development and execution of a strategic plan that will make us an even more efficient and effective agency, Tanya Hughes’ demonstrated leadership and ability to drive change will be the single most important component to our success.

The organization has had its challenges over the last few years, but there are no shortage of people that would prefer a successful and well-run agency.  She will have to deal with a staff that is significantly smaller than it was years ago.

Is she up to the task? I have no doubt that she is.  Employers should stay tuned for further development as Ms. Hughes’ plans for the organization take shape.