Will Folger

Background

About Will Folger

Will Folger is a seasoned Human Resources Executive with over a decade of public administration leadership experience, currently serving as the Director of Human Resources for the City of Eureka, CA. He brings a human-centered approach to organizational development and operational effectiveness, viewing these roles as an act of community building. Will excels at marshalling the strengths of diverse individuals in service to the organizations overarching goals through cultivating shared values and fostering a culture where employees feel a true sense of belonging and connection to their work and each other. The result? A dynamic organization that is innovative in its decisions, fluid in addressing challenges, agile in enacting change, resilient in facing hardship, rapid in delivering service, and joyful in carrying out its objectives. Specializing in labor and employee relations, recruitment, professional development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and employee engagement and wellness programs, Will ensures that decision-making reflects the humanity and potential of the workforce. He is a proven leader in overseeing the full scope of complex HR functions—including policy development and regulatory compliance, HRIS administration, classification/compensation, personnel investigations, benefits administration, safety programs and training, ADA/FFD/RTW processes, workers' compensation, payroll operations, and risk management—while building bridges between employees, leadership, and public stakeholders. As the City’s Chief Labor Relations Officer, Will emphasizes collaboration, communication and a focus on interest-based problem solving with collective bargaining units, while ensuring compliance with NLRA and MMBA standards to cultivate productive and healthy employee/employer relationships. Beyond his role in Eureka, he has served on various personnel-related commissions, committees and interest groups and, when available, provides strategic HR consultation services to public agencies and non-profits, advising executive leadership on labor relations and organizational management strategies that align with their mission. With a dedication to community, shared purpose, and innovative workforce solutions, Will champions a workplace where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute, and strongly believes that work and fun really do mix.