Nicole Overley
COMMISSIONER OF VIRGINIA WORKS
Read Bio
As Commissioner of Virginia Works, the Commonwealth’s new agency focused exclusively on workforce development, Nicole leads an incredible team of professionals across a multitude of programs and services that support the needs of employers and job seekers of Virginia and coordinate across the broader Commonwealth-wide workforce ecosystem.
Serving the Commonwealth fulfills a lifelong dream of public service for Nicole. Previously, in over a decade spent with Deloitte Consulting in Northern Virginia, Nicole incubated and scaled the firm’s Future of Work practice for government, nonprofits, and higher education, spoke and published frequently on workforce & workplace trends, was named to Consulting Magazine’s “35 under 35,” and worked with public and private sector clients across the nation.
Nicole holds two degrees from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, she can be found exploring places she hasn’t been before across Virginia and beyond.
Kimion Walker
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Read Bio
Kimion is an accomplished operations leader with over 25 years of experience managing complex government programs across the SLED (State, Local, and Education) space. Known for her strategic mindset and ability to drive results, she excels in leading cross-functional teams, improving operational efficiency, and delivering high-impact solutions. As Deputy Commissioner for Operations/Chief Operating Officer for Virginia Works, Kimion brings deep expertise in compliance, stakeholder engagement, and organizational leadership. Her leadership is defined by her ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, streamline processes, and foster high-performing, cross-functional teams.
Throughout her career, Kimion has consistently demonstrated a commitment to operational excellence, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. She has led enterprise-level initiatives that enhanced service quality, ensured compliance, and improved organizational agility, making her an invaluable asset in shaping and executing operational strategies at the executive level.
Rooted in her personal values of integrity, discipline, and connection, Kimion balances her demanding career with a fulfilling personal life. A proud Virginian for 35 years, she is a dedicated wife of 24 years and mother to two sons. She finds joy in the outdoors, running, biking, swimming, and hiking, and in exploring new cultures through cuisine and music.
Whether leading transformative initiatives or creating meaningful family moments, Kimion brings focus, heart, and purpose to everything she does.
Michael Peterson
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER | DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
Read Bio
Michael Peterson began his tenure as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Virginia Works in July 2024. As CIO, he is responsible for delivering IT services, operating and maintaining secure technology infrastructure, data strategy, and achieving the highest level of customer satisfaction. An innovative and creative thinker, Michael is highly skilled at linking mission and strategy to IT tools.
He brings vast experience in enterprise architecture, solution engineering, and software architecture and development. Prior to his time at Virginia Works, Michael served as Vice President of Identity and Access Management (IAM) of Business Solutions at Barclays. He has previously held IT leadership positions at Secure Identity Solutions as Chief Information Officer, The New Teacher Project as Chief Technology Officer and Hitachi Innovative Solutions Corporation as Technical Director. Michael holds a Master of Business Administration in Management from Averett College and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems from James Madison University and is committed to lifelong learning.