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Image Source: City of Beaverton
Whether she’s discussing her commitment to her community, evangelizing the work of Brené Brown, sharing stories of parenting her five (yes, five) children, or tackling the next big economic development project, it’s clear Jenny Haruyama, the city manager of Beaverton, Oregon, leads with a heart for public service.
“Lean into the hard,” she says. “When you’re in this business, sometimes you don’t know how to articulate in a certain way. But what it’s really all about is being transformational in service of others.”
Haruyama’s journey in public administration is marked by a deep commitment to community and a drive for transformation marked by her tenure in cities like Tracy, Scotts Valley, Milpitas, and Livermore, California. Her tenure in Beaverton has seen significant achievements, driven by her focus on authenticity, collaboration, and strategic planning.
The path to her career in public service was influenced by her family’s deep roots in community-oriented roles. “My dad was a fire chief and my mom a schoolteacher,” she recalls. Growing up in an environment surrounded by public servants naturally led her to a similar path. “My sister is a professor of urban and regional planning, my husband is in the Coast Guard, and many of my relatives have held public service roles.”
A pivotal moment in Haruyama’s early life occurred when she witnessed her father respond to a medical emergency while waiting in line at a drugstore. “I was probably about 11 years old and at that moment, it was just phenomenal to watch him jump into action,” she reflects, “it makes you step back and consider what it’s like to be something bigger than yourself.”
Her early work in Milpitas’ community development and recreation departments further solidified her commitment to public service. Haruyama’s emphasis on relationship-building and community connections has been a consistent theme throughout her career.
One of Haruyama’s most notable challenges was guiding Beaverton through a transition from a strong mayor to a council-manager form of government. This change restructured the organization to enhance collaborative decision-making. “The council at the time felt they didn’t have a voice in many things because the power in a strong mayor tends to be very centralized,” Haruyama explains.
The transition was not without its difficulties. The structural shift required substantial adjustments in administrative processes and relationship dynamics. Haruyama and Mayor Lacey Beaty had to navigate new roles and establish a working relationship that balanced their strengths. “It took about a year to figure out our stride. There was a lot of frustration and confusion in the beginning,” Haruyama admits. However, this effort paid off as it facilitated more inclusive governance and improved operational efficiency. “As we were entering into the second year, we were really starting to gel and figure out how we complement one another.” Mayor Beaty served on the city council for six years before taking office, notably, as Beaverton’s first woman mayor.
Under Haruyama’s leadership, Beaverton has made strides in addressing housing affordability and homelessness. A significant initiative is the Cooper Mountain development, which plans for 5,000 housing units, including affordable housing options. This project involves comprehensive infrastructure planning, such as the construction of a 5.5-million-gallon water storage reservoir and new pump stations. “We’ve been able to secure funding for critical infrastructure, which is essential for supporting such a large-scale development,” she notes.
While some projects like Cooper Mountain take years or months to plan, others take just hours During a severe weather event, her team established an overflow shelter in less than a day. This rapid response involved coordination across multiple levels of government and demonstrated the effectiveness of collaborative efforts. “We had to stand up another shelter in less than 7 hours, and that means we did all the legal paperwork, found a shelter provider, and set up everything in record time,” Haruyama proudly recalls.
Image Source: City of Beaverton
“We infused probably at least $5 million into downtown with just grant funding alone,” Haruyama highlights. This investment included streetscape improvements and support for local businesses, significantly reducing vacancy rates and boosting economic activity. Their restaurant row strategy, part of a broader economic development plan, has attracted businesses and visitors alike. This initiative has been instrumental in revitalizing Beaverton’s downtown area and transforming it into a bustling destination.
Moreover, Haruyama’s efforts have extended to supporting local startups and small businesses. The Oregon Startup Center in Beaverton provides resources and incubation support for new companies, fostering innovation and economic growth. “Having a place to incubate businesses makes Beaverton very attractive for entrepreneurs,” she emphasizes.
A core aspect of Haruyama’s leadership is her commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. Beaverton is known for its welcoming environment, and Haruyama has worked to reinforce this reputation. The city hired its first equity officer and established an equity office to ensure that all residents feel a sense of belonging. “You can’t do some of the DEI work until you do the B, which is the belonging and building the trust,” she explains.
Haruyama’s approach to leadership is deeply rooted in authenticity and vulnerability. Inspired by Brené Brown’s work, she values genuine connections and open communication. “My engagement with people isn’t about me being this person sitting in a five-story city building. It’s about breaking down barriers and finding common ground,” she shares. It’s this philosophy that has helped her build trust and foster meaningful relationships within the community and with city staff.
Beaverton, like many cities, faces limited funding sources and budgetary challenges. Haruyama successfully closed a $10 million budget gap in her first year and an additional $8 million the following year. Her strategic financial management has been crucial in maintaining essential services while advancing key initiatives.
In addition to her own strategic budget management, Beaverton’s budget is supported through Mayor Beaty’s strategic legislative relationships. “She is a powerhouse when it comes to state, federal, and special district relationships. She is amazing. She has probably generated $20 million for the city,” said Haruyama. “One of the new shelters we have under construction – she got that all paid for with not a dime of taxpayer dollars. It’s all grant-funded from the state.”
“I always tell people change is like a metamorphosis. When the butterfly is in the cocoon, it completely deconstructs and comes back into something new.” That’s exactly what Beaverton is doing. There’s pain before beauty,” said Haruyama. “I’m so proud of what the team has accomplished, but we never forget: success is always under construction.”
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