Jayli Barkley of Riverside County District Attorney’s Office grounds government messaging in real life

Authenticity is Jayli Barkley’s superpower.

Barkley is the principal district attorney information specialist for the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, where she oversees division operations, project management, directs internal communications and leads the office’s social media efforts.

As a public sector communicator, she leads with integrity and humanity—because she’s not just speaking to the community, she’s part of it. Grounded in firsthand experience as a neighbor and fellow resident, she believes government messaging should reflect care, honesty and the real lives it impacts.

In your new role as Principal District Attorney Information Specialist, you’re managing everything from internal messaging to social media to public trust. How do you prioritize what deserves attention?

Public safety is always paramount. No matter the situation, the first question I ask is, “Does this help keep our community safe or informed in a meaningful way?” Urgent updates, community alerts, or changes in laws that impact people’s day-to-day lives go to the top of the list. This means ensuring people receive the right information at the right time. That sense of urgency comes with a deep respect for communication’s role in protecting and serving the public.

Beyond that, I look at what will build long-term trust. Some messages are about visibility and transparency, showing our community who we truly are. Whether it’s highlighting an employee’s journey through our Origin Stories project, explaining a complex legal change like how we’ve embarked upon with recently passed Proposition 36, or celebrating a local school or community event, I ask, “What value does this bring to someone’s understanding of who we are and what we do?” Prioritizing is about balancing the urgent with the impactful, and always keeping the community at the center of the message.

You started out supporting victims in some of their hardest moments. How does that experience show up in how you tell stories and connect with the community now?

My years as a Victim Services Supervisor with our Division of Victim Services laid a foundation that continues to shape how I approach storytelling today. When you sit with someone at the most devastating time in their lives, you learn quickly that words carry weight. That same care and intention now guide how we share stories, especially those involving victims. This is evident in our Justice No More: Parole Hearing Nightmares and the Forgotten Victims of Crime series. That journey for our team was not just about producing content. It was about honoring someone’s experience, their pain, and often, their strength. That sensitivity ensures we never exploit, but instead uplift, educate, and support those who have entrusted us with their voice.

It’s also pushed me to think beyond the surface. Our team isn’t just content creators. I see more as concept manifesters. We take lived experience and translate it into something that connects people, raises awareness, and inspires change. That lens of trauma-informed communication makes a difference. It helps the public recognize the human beings at the center of every story. And as someone who supported a well-trained and professional team of subject matter experts that walked alongside victims, I carry that responsibility into every piece we share.

When you’re creating content for 2.5 million people and 800 colleagues, how do you balance broad reach with a personal, human touch?

Serving such a large and diverse audience requires both structure and heart. We’ve found success in categorizing our efforts into three areas: nformation, education, and entertainment. This framework allows us to be intentional. Informational content ensures people are up-to-date, whether it’s a job opening, a community event, or a verdict that has been reached. Educational content, on the other hand, dives deeper. These are the pieces meant to resonate long after the scroll, like explaining new laws, demystifying the work of our office, and providing resources to the public.

Then, there’s the human side, our entertainment content. These are the lighthearted moments that create connection, joy, and relatability. From celebrating staff milestones through highlighting their years of service to participating in observance days like International Pet Day, these posts remind people that we are not just an institution; we are individuals with personalities, families, and shared experiences. That personal touch ensures that whether you’re a resident or a colleague, you feel seen, included, and informed.

What’s one thing people often misunderstand about public sector communications that you wish you could give clarity on?

There’s a common misconception that government communications are self-serving or overly bureaucratic, and I’ll admit, I shared some of that skepticism before stepping into this office. But what I’ve learned is quite the opposite. In my time here, I’ve seen how dedicated public servants truly are to those they’ve committed to showing up for. To that point, I always remember, I am a community member first. I live here, just like the people we serve, and I care deeply about the well-being of my neighbors.

That perspective grounds everything I do. I don’t approach communications as someone removed from the audience. I approach it as someone who shops at the same stores, goes to the same parks, and whose family attends the same schools. That means I’m invested in the messaging, and my delivery has to reflect that. Yes, some topics are difficult or uncomfortable, but that makes it even more essential to lead public sector communications with integrity and humanity.

What’s one piece of advice you would share with your younger self?

I’d tell her not to worry so much about figuring it all out. Every twist, turn, and detour has a purpose, even if you can’t see it in the moment. You may not end up where you expected, but you’ll land exactly where you’re meant to be. That peace of mind would’ve saved me a lot of second-guessing and overthinking in those earlier years!

Also, I’d remind her that authenticity is her superpower. The qualities that make up who you are, empathy, care, and boldness, those aren’t things to downplay. They’ll become the very reasons you’re able to connect with people and succeed in the spaces you care about. Trust who you are becoming, and keep showing up as yourself.

What brings you joy outside the office?

I’m definitely a people-person through and through, even off the clock. What fills my cup most are the simple, quality moments with my family, both blood and bond alike. Whether catching up over a quick bite or coming together for a big holiday meal, those gatherings are everything to me. They ground me, energize me, and remind me what matters.

And if we’re being honest, food is the main character in many of those joyful moments! Sharing a meal isn’t just about eating. It’s also about connecting, laughing, and creating memories. There’s something so special about sitting around a table, breaking bread, and just being present with the people you love. That’s my happy place, hands down.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.