Rita Sampson
Rita M. Sampson is the Chief of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She leads the agency's EEO program to proactively prevent workplace discriminiation and ensures compliance with federal EEO laws, policies, and best practices. Ms. Sampson created and executed innovative strategies plans and initaitves to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the 18 organizations within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), such as the Joint Strategy to Advance Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity within the United States Intelligence Community (2020-2023). She is the architect of the IC's Smal Steps to Inclusion Campaign, a first-of-its kind framework that leverages proven practices to lead organizational change. Prior to joining the IC, Ms. Sampson was an Assistant Director within the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) and led the EEO compliance program for 93 geographically dispersed U.S Attorneys' Offices, supporting more than 10,000 employees. She also served in senior attorney roles within EOUSA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In these roles, Ms. Sampson advised agency officials on adherence to the codified merit system principles and management and leadership essentials. As agency counsel, she litigated matters before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. Ms. Sampson began her legal career as a trial attorney in the Office of Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia wherein she resolved numerous high-profile state and federal court matters. Her legal practice areas include personnel and employment law, Congressional redistricting and voting rights, government ethics, Constitutional law, and civil litigation. She is a certified cirriculum developer, trainer, and facilitator, with extensive public speaking experience and she enjoys opportunities to broaden the public's understanding of the IC's mission and the value of EEO, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Ms. Sampson earned her Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the College of William and Mary. She is an active member of the Virginia State Bar. Ms. Sampson was awarded the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Senior National Intelligence Officer and has received numerous recognitions for her outstanding performance in senior executive roles. She is committed to public service; is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; and served multiple terms as President of the Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association. She lives in Montgomery County, Maryland, with her teenage daughter.