Gail Mulligan is a Labor Relations Administrator with the Rockland County Department of Personnel. Dedicated, thoughtful, and committed to the principles of public service, Gail exemplifies the professionalism and passion that drive effective government operations at the local level.

From the moment she entered law school, Gail knew her professional path would lead toward public service – even if she didn’t yet know precisely where or how. Over the course of her career, she has served at multiple levels of state and local government, gaining a deep understanding of how public institutions function and how sound policy is put into practice through the workforce.

A particularly formative experience came during her time as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Labor and Employment Division of the New York City Law Department. “Whether litigating labor and employment matters as a city attorney or providing municipal advice and counsel at the local level,” Gail shared, “each position reinforced the importance of thoughtful, fair, and practical public sector decision-making.”

Today, she credits those experiences with shaping her approach to leadership and reinforcing her belief in the value of transparent, well-informed public administration.

On a personal note, Gail is a lifelong Rockland County resident, where she lives with her husband, Matthew – a small business owner – and their three sons: Andrew (9), Colin (5), and Ethan (1).

For the past six years, Gail has proudly served as a Labor Relations Administrator in the Rockland County Department of Personnel. In this role, she oversees essential civil service functions – recruitment, examinations, classification, workforce planning, and labor relations – while working closely with county departments and municipalities to support effective, sustainable operations.

“Having spent my entire professional career in public service,” she explained, “this was my first opportunity to serve my home community, which I consider both meaningful and a privilege.”

Though balancing a career and three young boys keeps her busy, Gail remains active in community service and professional organizations. She recently reconnected with her college-affiliated Kiwanis Club at Fordham University, an organization she was involved in during her undergraduate years. She also serves on the Pace Law Alumni Board and contributes her governance expertise to her homeowners association board, reflecting her enduring commitment to civic engagement and local leadership.

Among Gail’s many professional achievements, she takes particular pride in the development of Rockland County’s grassroots strategic recruitment initiative. Working closely with Commissioner of Personnel Lori Gruebel, Gail helped shape the program’s vision – focusing on outreach, education, and partnership to raise awareness about public service career opportunities.

“Government work touches every part of our community,” she said. “From health and human services to IT, finance, and early childhood education – there are roles for nearly every skill set.”

Through a collaboration with the Rockland BOCES Communications Service, Gail and her team have expanded this initiative into a comprehensive public awareness campaign, showcasing both the diversity of careers in public service and the vital role government employees play each day.

Reflecting on her career, Gail emphasized the importance of diligence and lifelong learning. “One of the most valuable skills I’ve developed is the discipline of always double-checking my work or research, no matter how confident I feel,” she said.

Her legal training has also shaped her methodical approach to problem-solving: taking time to fully understand an issue before responding. That thoughtfulness, she notes, has strengthened her ability to foster trust and make balanced decisions – a hallmark of effective public service leadership.

When asked what guidance she would offer to those entering public service, Gail’s advice is clear: “Seek out a mentor, build your network, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.” She emphasizes that growth in government often comes from collaboration, curiosity, and connection.

If she could make one change to the civil service system, Gail would strengthen collaboration across jurisdictions and agencies. “Government – especially local government – is inherently decentralized,” she explained, “yet many of the challenges we face are shared. We should be leveraging common tools, shared knowledge, and collaborative networks to improve efficiency and outcomes.”

At the heart of Gail’s vision is a simple but powerful belief: when we work together, we serve our communities better.

In her own words: “At the end of the day, we are all doing the same work—serving our local communities and supporting a fair and effective public workforce.”

When she’s not advancing the mission of Rockland County government, Gail enjoys an active and well-balanced life. She recently completed her first half marathon—a goal that reflects her determination and perseverance both personally and professionally. Beyond running, she loves traveling with her family, exploring new experiences with friends, and appreciating life’s simple pleasures—reading, coffee, music, and a good Netflix series.

NYSAPCSO is proud to spotlight Gail with all her success and positive attitude and values towards a greater change!

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