Valarie Moseley Named Next Missouri DOC Director

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has selected Valarie Moseley as the next director of the Missouri Department of Corrections, elevating a department executive with experience spanning operations, reentry services and employee support.  

The appointment is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, when current Director Trevor Foley leaves to serve as state budget director. Moseley’s appointment remains subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.  

Moseley has served as the department’s deputy director since December 2023. In that role, she has overseen departmentwide strategic planning, operational efficiency, crisis prevention and management, stakeholder engagement and the development and implementation of policies and procedures.  

“I am humbled by the Governor’s trust in me to continue my service to the department in this role,” Moseley said, according to a press release from Gov. Kehoe’s office. “I look forward to leading the DOC team in our efforts to move the department forward by supporting our workforce, improving engagement with external stakeholders, and working to reduce risk and recidivism for the safety of our communities.” 

Before becoming deputy director, Moseley led the Division of Offender Rehabilitative Services. During her tenure, she and her team launched Reentry 2030, making Missouri the first state to join the national initiative. 

Earlier in her department career, Moseley served as assistant division director for employee health and safety within the Division of Human Services. She developed the Prevent-Respond-Support model for employee care and trauma response and played a key role in the department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Valarie’s years of experience and proven leadership at DOC position her to continue the department’s nationally recognized work in improving lives for safer communities,” Gov. Kehoe said in his office’s release.  

Moseley also brings executive leadership experience from the nonprofit sector, with a professional background in organizational transformation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in business administration from William Woods University.

This article is based on a press release published by the Office of Gov. Mike Kehoe on Aug. 18, 2026.