About me
Sonya Kinley is the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS). She is responsible for leading the human resources division, with a focus on achieving recruiting, employee relations, and training and development initiatives that represent the organization’s culture and values. As a member of the leadership team, Sonya contributes directly to the organization’s long and short-term strategic objectives while increasing organizational effectiveness. Sonya’s area of expertise also includes, but is not limited to, staffing, performance management, compensation, benefits, employee engagement, policies and procedures, compliance and reporting, and employee wellness and safety. Sonya also has experience in fundraising.
Since her leadership at the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, she has been instrumental in integrating human resource initiatives into the organization’s strategic goals. Sonya holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Morgan State University and a Master’s in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Sonya has 23 years of human resources experience, with 12 years in leadership roles. Before joining TRS in 2017, she held multiple positions in human resources in the nonprofit industry for 16 years.
Sonya resides in McDonough, GA, with her husband, Emmanuel. She enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and reading in her free time.