Joellen J. Cademartori is the chief executive officer and co-owner of GovHR USA, and has nearly 30 years of cumulative experience working in the public sector as a municipal leader, and in human resources and management consulting. Joellen’s exceptional communication style has enabled her to develop and maintain strong relationships with her peers, elected and appointed officials, and related local government partners. She has built a solid reputation as a skilled negotiator, who is both fair and impartial.
The ability to problem solve and think strategically are at the core of Joellen’s strengths. She is a consensus builder and has the proven ability to work with conceptual ideas, develop and supervise scopes of work, and produce desired results for her clients. She is also skilled at working in challenged environments, with a strong record of success in helping clients to navigate tough executive recruitment and consulting projects.
The public sector human resources and management projects Joellen has worked on have earned her respect in local governments across the country. Due to her commitment and dedication to local government, she is known an industry leader in executive recruiting, interim staffing, in addition to human resources and management consulting work.
Throughout her career, Joellen has been privileged to serve on numerous local, state and national committees. A personal and professional highlight for her was being on the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Executive Board as a representative from the Northeast Region. Joellen regularly speaks in front of groups, and writes about a variety of local government topics, which include organizational analysis, generational diversity, succession planning, performance management, resume development and interviewing skills and techniques. She is dedicated to developing the next generation of managers and remains passionate about excellence in local government.
Professional Education, Training and Instruction
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Worcester State College, Worcester, MA
- Master of Public Administration, Northeastern University in Boston, MA
- Senior Executive Institute, Leading, Educating and Developing (LEAD) Program, at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Professional Development and Speaking Engagements
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Classification and Compensation Studies – Municipal Employers Association of Southeast Wisconsin – 2022
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Executive Recruiter Panel – NFBPA Houston – Emerge Conference – Resilience, Strategy, and Value – 2022
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Succession Planning for the Public Sector – College of DuPage – Public Service Institute – 2022
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Succession Planning for the Public Sector – IPMA-HR Central Region – 2022
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Succession Planning for the Public Sector – College of DuPage – Public Service Institute – 2021
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Succession Planning for the Public Sector – MMHR – 2021
- Executive Recruiter Panel – NFBPA Central Arizona Chapter – Emerge 2020 – Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders – 2020
- Re-Evaluating Your Employee Evaluation – MMA Annual Meeting – 2020
- Succession Planning for the Public Sector – Two-part Webinar – NPELRA – 2020
- What Does it Take – Landing Leadership Positions – ICMA Annual Conference – 2019
- Achieving Your Leadership Potential Thinking Strategically About the Next Steps in Your Career – NFBPA Forum – 2019
- Succession Planning tips to Achieve Unity Through Diversity – MMA Annual Meeting – 2019
- Managers in Transition – Guest Speaker – ICMA – 2018
- Putting Your Best Foot Forward – Interview Skills for Women, including Posture, Presence and Bias – WCMA Women’s Leadership Seminar – 2018
- Tips for a Successful Recruitment Process – MMA Annual Meeting – 2018
- Hire Hard, Manage Easy – Tips for Getting the Best Employees – IPELRA Annual Conference – 2018
- Achieving Your Leadership Potential: Thinking Strategically About the Next Steps in Your Career – LGHN Biennial Conference – 2018
- Women Leading Government, What’s Next? – MMA Monthly Meeting – 2017
- Succession Planning for the Public Sector – IPELRA Training Session – 2017
- Putting Your Best Food Forward: Interview/Presentation Skills for Women – Women Leading Government Conference, Massachusetts – 2017
- Workforce for Tomorrow – IPELRA Annual Conference – 2016
- Hire Hard, Manage Easy – Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference – 2015
- Not Your Parents’ Local Government: Diversity, Recruitment, and Retention in the 21st Century – NCCCMA Winter Conference – 2014
- Next-Gen Elected Officials: How Do They Change the Council Dynamics? – ICMA Annual Meeting – 2014
- Traveling to the Beat of a Different Drum: Workplace Strategies for a Multi-Generational Workforce, IPELRA Annual Conference – 2013
- New Approaches to Succession Planning – IGFOA Annual Conference – 2012
- New Service Delivery Models: 2012 and Beyond – IPELRA Annual Conference – 2011
- Preparing for Your Career in Local Government – Northern Illinois University – 2011
Memberships and Affiliations
- International City and County Management Association (ICMA), Current Member
- ICMA – Task Force on Deputy/Assistant Managers 2017-2018, Member
- ICMA – Task Force on Women in the Profession 2012 – 2014, Member
- ICMA – Conference Planning Committee 2010 – 2011, Chair
- ICMA – Conference Evaluation Committee 2005 – 2006, Member
- ICMA – Conference Planning Committee 2005 – 2006, Member
- ICMA – Governmental Affairs & Policy Committee 2003 – 2006, Member
- ICMA Northeast Regional Vice President – ICMA Executive Board 2001 – 2003, Board Member
- ICMA Conference Planning Committee 2000 – 2001, Member
- ICMA Assistants Steering Committee 1994 – 1997
- Illinois City and County Management Association (ILCMA), Current Member
- North Carolina City and County Management Association 2004 –2007, Member
- Massachusetts Municipal Management Association (MMMA) 2000–2001, Member
- Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association – 1990 – 2003, Member and Board Vice Chair
Local Government Professional Background
24 Years of Local Government Leadership and Management
- Director of Administrative Services, Evanston, IL 2009-2011
- Director of Human Resources, Evanston, IL 2007-2009
- Assistant County Manager, Catawba County, NC 2004-2007
- Assistant Town Manager, Barnstable, MA 2000-2003
- Assistant Town Administrator, Yarmouth, MA 1993-2000
- Assistant Town Administrator, Northborough MA 1992-1993
- Acting Town Administrator, Northborough MA 1991
- Administrative Asst. to the Town Administrator, Northborough, MA 1988-1990
- Intern, Town of Holden 1987
