Staff Profiles

Rebecca Burnside has been the HR Director at Redwood City since August 2011, managing all aspects of the City’s Human Resources functions.  Before Redwood City, she was the HR Director in Foster City.  She has also worked for the City of San Mateo as the Assistant Director of Human Resources.  Before going into Human Resources, she practiced law, specializing in Labor and Employment Law, at Littler Mendelson, where she predominately did work for private large companies and some public employer work.  She did some commercial litigation and tort work immediately out of law school.  She attended law school at Tulane School of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and Order of the Coif.  She received her undergraduate business degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business with an emphasis in Industrial Relations. 

Laurel Blaemire has been with the City of Redwood City Human Resources Department since 1985.  During her 20+ year career in Human Resources, Laurel has held many positions working in the areas of budget, labor relations, recruitment, employee relations, workers’ compensation and training.  Since 1999, Laurel has been one of two Human Resources Representatives representing the department in the areas of recruitment and retention, employee relations and handling special projects.  The departments Laurel works with the most are City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager, Fire, Human Resources, Library, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services.

Leah Lockhart began her career with the City in 2004 as a Human Resources Representative working on special projects including succession planning, management training, certification programs, and other employee development and organizational change initiatives.  Currently, she works with the Human Resources Department with an emphasis on recruitment, employee relations, and administrative services for the Community Development Services, Public Works Services, Finance and Police Departments.  Leah also manages the City’s bilingual certification program.  Prior to coming to Redwood City, Leah was a consultant to public sector organizations in the areas of leadership development, management training, team building and change management.  Leah holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. 

Carolyn McLaurin began her career with the City in 1984 working in the General Services Department as an Administrative Clerk.  Since then she has held various positions in both the City Managers office and the Department of Human Resources.  While working in the City Manager’s office, Carolyn started as a Confidential/Administrative Secretary and was soon promoted to the City’s first EEO/Affirmative Action Coordinator.  Later Carolyn became part of the Human Resources team and held positions such as Quality of Working Life Coordinator, Post Injury Program Manager, and Human Resources Representative.  Carolyn currently manages the City’s Workers’ Compensation Safety and Benefits Division.  Carolyn completed the Human Resources Certificate program from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

Jane Yang joined Redwood City Human Resources Department in March 2008 as a Human Resources Technician. Jane’s main focus is on employee benefits, administers all different benefit plans and retirement system, and she is assisting on Workers’ Compensation and Safety areas as well. Before joining the City of Redwood City, she was employed at San Mateo County Office of Education for about 2 years, where she held position as Benefits Specialist. Jane holds a Bachelor’s degree from California State University East Bay, major in Business Administration/Computer Information Systems. She had been a Software Development Testing Engineer for 3 years before she switched her career path to Human Resources/Benefits area.