The Avondale City Council meeting on April 21, 2025, commenced with a presentation by Ted Flores, the Human Resources Assistant Director, who introduced a new member of the HR team, Leilani Anderson. Leilani joined the City of Avondale on March 24 as a benefits analyst, where she will support the citywide benefits and wellness program.

In his introduction, Flores highlighted Leilani's extensive background in human resources, noting that she spent the last decade at Sun Health, culminating in her role as Director of Total Rewards. Leilani holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Baylor University and is a certified HR professional through the HR Certification Institute.

Flores also shared a personal anecdote about Leilani's previous experience as a store manager for Starbucks, where she worked for ten years in both Arizona and Texas. He humorously suggested that she might have tips for council members regarding their favorite Starbucks drinks.

During the presentation, Leilani addressed the common misconceptions surrounding the HR field, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the human element in human resources. She expressed her commitment to supporting employees through various aspects of HR, including benefits, compensation, and workplace investigations.

The meeting underscored the city's ongoing efforts to enhance its HR capabilities and foster a supportive work environment for all employees.