Chicopee, Massachusetts, United States, April 2025 – Karla Bourassa has been named Chief Human Resources Officer at City of Chicopee, marking a pivotal advancement in her public sector career. With deep roots in the city’s administration, Karla now leads the HR function with a focus on workforce engagement, strategic leadership, union relations, and cultural transformation within the municipality.
Prior to this appointment, Karla Bourassa served as Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer at the City of Chicopee for nearly two years. In this role, she was instrumental in modernizing HR operations, driving staff retention initiatives, and managing collective bargaining efforts across municipal departments. Her strategic acumen and operational leadership made a measurable impact on employee performance and compliance.
Before that, she held the position of Senior Human Resources Generalist at the City of Chicopee, where she supported the director in handling regulatory compliance, workers’ compensation, unemployment procedures, and citywide recruitment activities. Her ability to manage complex HR issues with a strong grasp of public policy and local government practices was widely recognized.
Earlier in her career, Karla spent over four years at the Town of Ludlow as a Human Resources Specialist, where she led performance improvement programs, supported labor negotiations, and strengthened municipal HR systems. She also worked for the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, where she served as Executive Aide to the City Council and later as Program Manager, managing intervention programs for at-risk properties and overseeing code compliance and enforcement strategies.
Her private sector experience includes key roles at MetLife and SunLife as a Claims Specialist and LTD Analyst, respectively. These roles sharpened her investigative, case management, and return-to-work strategy capabilities.
About City of Chicopee
Located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts, the City of Chicopee is known for its rich cultural heritage and dynamic neighborhoods such as Aldenville, Willimansett, Chicopee Falls, and Fairview. Once comprised of distinct immigrant villages, the city has grown into a diverse and vibrant community while retaining its historic character.
A key part of the Springfield Metropolitan Area, Chicopee is committed to delivering efficient public services, maintaining its infrastructure, and fostering community engagement. With a blend of historical charm and modern expansion, the city continues to invest in inclusive governance and workforce excellence.
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