Ricardo DeLaCruz

Deputy Director of Enterprise Planning and InClusiveness (EPIC) Division.

Ricardo joined the DGS team on June 1, 2023, as the Deputy Director of Enterprise Planning and InClusiveness (EPIC) Division.  EPIC consists of three DGS program areas: the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office, Enterprise Planning, and the department’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access (DEI&A) efforts.

Ricardo brings to DGS over 23 years of State Service and 18 years of Human Resources experience, with his most recent position being the Chief of Human Resources at the Department of Social Services (CDSS). Prior to his role with DSS, Ricardo was the Assistant Deputy Director of Human Resources with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the Assistant Chief of Administration with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)- Bureau of Cannabis Control, and the Personnel Officer at the DCA.

Ricardo’s EEO experience involves implementation of policies for the Bureau of Cannabis Control and collaborative investigatory responsibilities at DCA, Bureau of Cannabis Control, and DSS.  Ricardo also has overseen DEI&A efforts and creation of policy at CDCR and CDSS with emphasis on the hiring process and employee engagement.