25 Senior People Leaders in US Local Government

Local government works when people systems, public service and community outcomes line up. The leaders in this list shape the work behind that alignment.

This is a recognition directory of senior people leaders across US local government. It brings together leaders working across hiring, workforce development, employee experience, civil service, labour relations and organisational change.

The common thread is practical influence. Strong people leadership changes how public servants are supported, how teams grow and how residents experience government.

1. Alex Lawrence

Chief People Officer, City of Boston

Alex Lawrence is Chief People Officer at City of Boston in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston’s People Operations Cabinet brings central HR, labour relations, the registry and employee benefit functions into one leadership portfolio; before taking the role, Lawrence helped turn the city’s technology department into a user-centred organisation.

That makes Alex Lawrence a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

2. Candi Jones

Chief Human Resources Officer, City of Philadelphia

Candi Jones is Chief Human Resources Officer at City of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Jones previously led HR and administration for the Philadelphia Water Department, where the city says she overhauled HR processes, created workforce development programmes and introduced leadership development training.

That makes Candi Jones a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

3. Erica Collins

Chief Human Resources Officer, City of Chattanooga

Erica Collins is Chief Human Resources Officer at City of Chattanooga in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Collins joined Chattanooga after serving as a vice president of HR at Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, with her appointment coming as the city redesigned its public-sector hiring approach.

That makes Erica Collins a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

4. Makda Fessahaye

Chief Human Resources Officer and Director of Employee Relations, City of Milwaukee

Makda Fessahaye is Chief Human Resources Officer and Director of Employee Relations at City of Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Fessahaye’s portfolio covers the civil service system, recruitment and retention, classification and compensation, compliance and employee relations, alongside earlier public service in senior legal and corrections roles.

That makes Makda Fessahaye a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

5. Melanie Woodson

Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Government

Melanie Woodson is Director of Human Resources at Calvert County Government in Calvert County, Maryland.

Woodson has moved through several county roles, from benefits assistant to permit technician, personnel analyst and senior HR analyst before becoming HR director.

That makes Melanie Woodson a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

6. Rae Catchings

Chief People Officer, City of Cambridge

Rae Catchings is Chief People Officer at City of Cambridge in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Catchings leads a city HR function spanning recruitment, civil service, classification and pay, benefits, employee relations, training and professional development.

That makes Rae Catchings a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

7. Sheridan Richards

Chief People Officer, City of Little Rock

Sheridan Richards is Chief People Officer at City of Little Rock in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Richards brings people and culture experience from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, including work in culture transformation, leadership development, change and performance strategy.

That makes Sheridan Richards a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

8. Fonda Fouché

Chief Human Resources Officer, City of Memphis

Fonda Fouché is Chief Human Resources Officer at City of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee.

Fouché’s municipal HR portfolio includes talent management, total rewards, compliance, HR analytics and performance, plus employee and retiree experience.

That makes Fonda Fouché a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

9. Linnaea Jablonski

Human Resources Director, City of Tacoma

Linnaea Jablonski is Human Resources Director at City of Tacoma in Tacoma, Washington.

Jablonski’s public-sector career includes HR leadership in Fairfax and Olympia, as well as Washington State Ferries, giving her experience across large workforces and multiple labour agreements.

That makes Linnaea Jablonski a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

10. Christina Peterson

Director of the Department of Human Resources, Fairfax County

Christina Peterson is Director of the Department of Human Resources at Fairfax County in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Peterson came to Fairfax after serving as chief human capital officer at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and holding senior HR leadership roles with the Navy and other federal agencies.

That makes Christina Peterson a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

11. Tami Douglas-Schatz

Director of Human Resources, Riverside County

Tami Douglas-Schatz is Director of Human Resources at Riverside County in Riverside County, California.

Douglas-Schatz returned to Riverside after more than 15 years as San Luis Obispo County’s HR director, and Riverside says she leads a department serving more than 22,000 county employees.

That makes Tami Douglas-Schatz a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

12. Noelle White

Human Resources Director, City of Alameda

Noelle White is Human Resources Director at City of Alameda in Alameda, California.

White was appointed after serving in senior HR roles, including work connected to public-sector labour relations and contract negotiations.

That makes Noelle White a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

13. Lauren Streubert

Director of Human Resources, Chester County Government

Lauren Streubert is Director of Human Resources at Chester County Government in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Streubert’s 20-plus-year career at Citadel moved from HR manager to HR director and then vice president, and Chester County says she now oversees HR services for its workforce.

That makes Lauren Streubert a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

14. Traci Anderson

Director of the Office of Human Resources, Montgomery County Government

Traci Anderson is Director of the Office of Human Resources at Montgomery County Government in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Anderson leads Montgomery County’s Office of Human Resources, whose public mission is to attract, develop and retain the county workforce.

That makes Traci Anderson a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

15. Shannon Hutchins

Human Resources Director, Forsyth County Government

Shannon Hutchins is Human Resources Director at Forsyth County Government in Forsyth County, North Carolina.

Hutchins leads an HR team that includes talent and development, risk, safety and employee relations support.

That makes Shannon Hutchins a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

16. Tiffanie Carter

Director of Human Resources, City of Cedar Park

Tiffanie Carter is Director of Human Resources at City of Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas.

Carter has more than 17 years of HR experience across public and private employers, and Cedar Park says she leads strategic initiatives and the full employment lifecycle.

That makes Tiffanie Carter a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

17. Matthew Wright

Director of Human Resources, City of Buda

Matthew Wright is Director of Human Resources at City of Buda in Buda, Texas.

Wright’s background includes policing, training, internal investigations and policy work before moving into municipal HR leadership.

That makes Matthew Wright a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

18. LaShon Gros

Director of Human Resources and Civil Service, City of Taylor

LaShon Gros is Director of Human Resources and Civil Service at City of Taylor in Taylor, Texas.

Gros’ 2025 city release highlighted five executive level recruitments completed within 45 days of vacancy and new performance and learning management systems.

That makes LaShon Gros a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

19. Jane E. Cheeks

Director of Human Resources, City of Houston

Jane Cheeks is Director of Human Resources at City of Houston in Houston, Texas.

Cheeks is leading Houston HR’s modernisation work, with the department describing a digital transformation across processes, culture and employee experience.

That makes Jane E. Cheeks a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

20. Sheila Simpson

Human Resources Director, City of Charlotte

Sheila Simpson is Human Resources Director at City of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Simpson’s public message focuses on the employee experience and the 18,000 people the city serves directly through its workforce.

That makes Sheila Simpson a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

21. Jamie Russell

Director of Human Resources, County of San Luis Obispo

Jamie Russell is Director of Human Resources at County of San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Russell leads a county HR team that describes itself as a solutions-based partner for departments, with learning and development at the centre of its workforce offer.

That makes Jamie Russell a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

22. Lupe Garza

Director of Human Resources and Development, Tulare County

Lupe Garza is Director of Human Resources and Development at Tulare County in Tulare County, California.

Garza’s remit connects human resources with development, including workforce support, employee growth, wellness and engagement.

That makes Lupe Garza a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

23. Kristina Hines

Human Resources Director, City of Oak Harbor

Kristina Hines is Human Resources Director at City of Oak Harbor in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Hines was confirmed as Oak Harbor’s new HR director in 2026, bringing a fresh leadership lens to the city’s people function.

That makes Kristina Hines a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

24. Angela Jones

Chief Human Resources Officer, Robeson County Government

Angela Jones is Chief Human Resources Officer at Robeson County Government in Robeson County, North Carolina.

Jones leads HR for a county department that covers employee relations, classification, training and benefits for about 1,100 employees.

That makes Angela Jones a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

25. Andreas Pyper

Director of Human Resources, Monterey County Government

Andreas Pyper is Director of Human Resources at Monterey County Government in Monterey County, California.

Pyper is listed as Monterey County’s HR director, placing him at the centre of the county’s workforce and employee service function.

That makes Andreas Pyper a useful person to know for anyone interested in the systems and leadership practices that help local government serve its community.

Conclusion

Senior people leaders are often responsible for the conditions that let public servants do their best work. Their remit can reach from recruitment and pay to culture, learning, workforce planning and employee experience.

The practical lesson is simple. People systems are not background administration. They are part of how public service becomes trustworthy, capable and useful.

About the Author

Jonno White is the founder of Consult Clarity. He helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at, with practical ideas they can use on Monday morning.

Next Read

If you are building leadership capability, training topics for managers is a useful next read. For work that brings a leadership group together, see leadership team development.

If your leadership team is working through culture, capability or organisational change, write to jonno@consultclarity.org.