About me
Carnitra D. White has nearly 30 years of public human services experience. Currently serving as the Principal Deputy Secretary for the Maryland Department of Human Services. Ms. White provides executive leadership, oversight, and technical direction to Maryland’s 24 local departments of social services. She oversees the administration of the department’s federal and state programs and policies and serves as the advisor to the Secretary on intergovernmental activities. Prior to her tenure as Principal Deputy Secretary, Ms. White served the Executive Director of the Anne Arundel Department of Social Services. As Executive Director, she directed 345 staff who provide social services to more than 70,000 county residents. Ms. White served as a member of the Anne Arundel County Executive’s Cabinet and serves on the County’s Workforce Development Board. Ms. White also served as Maryland’s child welfare and adult services director and managed the development and implementation of adult and child welfare policy and practice which resulted in a 46% reduction in the youth in foster care over seven years. Ms. White was responsible for the overall design and daily functioning of an executive team who provided direction and oversight to 2,000 staff statewide and managed an operating budget of $555 million.
Selected Professional Positions
2023-present Principal Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS)
2015-2023 Executive Director, Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services
2014-2015 Acting Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR)
2009-2014 Executive Director, Social Services Administration, DHR
2005-2009 Deputy Executive Director, Social Services Administration, DHR
2003-2005 Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary, DHR
2001-2003 Internal Consultant, Office of Planning, DHR
1999-2001 Manager, Strategic Management, Baltimore City Department of Social Services
1996-1999 Research Analyst, Baltimore City Department of Social Services
1993-1996 Caseworker, Baltimore City Department of Social Services
Honors & Committees
• Child Welfare League of America, Board Member (2014-Present)
• Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellow (Class of 2010)
• Named a “Hero for Justice” by the University of Maryland School of Social Work (2011)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Member (1991-Present)
• Patterson Park Public Charter School, Board Member (2009-2012)
