Ian Appleyard

Ian Appleyard is a seasoned human resources executive with 30 years of public sector experience. His areas of expertise include executive recruitment and coaching, strategic planning, organizational assessment, labor relations, and risk management. Established as a trusted advisor to elected officials and executive leadership, Mr. Appleyard brings a rare combination of technical expertise and practical wisdom to every engagement, helping public agencies build stronger organizations, develop exceptional leaders, and deliver the quality of service their communities deserve. For over a decade, he has overseen large and complex risk management programs, served on a joint powers insurance authority board, and delivered trainings on workers’ compensation and workplace safety. He has conducted extensive organizational and community surveys, gathering and synthesizing stakeholder input to inform policy direction.

Mr. Appleyard served as Director of Human Resources for both the City of Oakland and the City of Emeryville, California. In Oakland, he oversaw all aspects of a comprehensive human resources program serving more than 5,000 employees. He maintains an extensive professional network across California and nationally, and served on the board of the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association (CalPELRA), the state’s leading professional association for public sector labor relations practitioners, from 2015 to 2023.

Mr. Appleyard earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from San Francisco State University.