Hayward is the Bay Area’s sixth largest municipality, and ranks among the most diverse in the entire country. Located in Alameda County, the city is home to a California State University, a community college, and technical, trade and business colleges. The City worked with a 22-member, Council-appointed task force to develop the Commitment for an Inclusive, Equitable, and
Compassionate Community that includes guiding principles for visioning inclusion and equity in Hayward, as well as a work plan for staff to address top-level community concerns around community values, accessibility, illegal discrimination, community-police relations, and being a sanctuary city.
Laurel James is a Management Analyst in the Office of the City Manager. In her role, she is responsible for the City’s data governance initiative, resilience projects and implementing the Commitment for an Inclusive, Equitable, and Compassionate Community. Laurel holds a master’s degree in public policy from Mills College, and has worked for the City of Hayward since
2015.