Palo Alto Hires New Human Resources Director

PALO ALTO, CA — The Palo Alto City Council approved the hiring of a new Chief People Officer/Human Resources Director during its meeting Monday.

Sandra Blanch, who has spent 14 years as the assistant director of Palo Alto’s human resources department and has 28 years of experience in human resources, will take over for Rumi Portillo, who is retiring as head of the department at the end of May.

In a statement, Blanch said she is excited to continue working with the city in her new role.

“I look forward to furthering the City’s focus as an employer of choice, and priorities such as recruitment and retention, positive workplace environment, and employee safety and training,” Blanch said.

Blanch’s annual salary will be $238,450, according to a staff report. Palo Alto’s human resource department has 16 full-time employees and $16.2 million in authorized annual expenditures.

Blanch also serves on the executive committee of the California Cities Excess Liability risk pool.