Advancing local government
a different way—the IPA way.

Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is a premier public sector executive recruitment and strategy firm dedicated to empowering municipalities with tailored solutions that enhance leadership, optimize operations, and drive positive community impact. Founded by experienced municipal professionals Jay Shambeau, ICMA-CM, MPA, and Jess Wildes, MPA, IPA offers a wide range of services including executive recruitment, professional coaching, grant writing, governance training, communications strategy, and strategic plan development. With a focus on delivering innovative, sustainable solutions, IPA is committed to helping local governments navigate complex challenges and strengthen their capacity to serve their communities effectively.

Executive Recruitment

Village of New Glarus
Village Administrator

The Village of New Glarus (population 2,348) was established as a Swiss Colony in 1845 and incorporated as a Village in 1901. Known as America’s Little Switzerland, New Glarus embraces its rich Swiss heritage with Alpine-style architecture, cultural museums, ethnic festivals, New Glarus Woods State Park, artisan shops and restaurants—and of course, New Glarus Brewing Company!

News

  • Village of Trempealeau Awarded Innovation Planning Grant for Downtown Revitalization and Joint Tourism Commission

    The project will bring together local stakeholders and business owners to identify new opportunities for economic growth, tourism, and community engagement, and create a roadmap for a vibrant, thriving downtown. Learn more.

  • Julianna Stohs Appointed as Community and Economic Development Director of the City of Waupaca

    “Julianna brings extensive experience from her work with state and federal agencies, offering a fresh and valuable perspective to this role. Her strategic mindset and dedication to building strong partnerships with residents, businesses, and developers will positively serve the City of Waupaca.” Learn more.

  • Innovative Public Advisors to Lead City of Beaver Dam City Administrator Executive Recruitment and Interim Services

    June 2, 2025: Tonight, the City of Beaver Dam Common Council passed a resolution to contract with Innovative Public Advisors (IPA). Jay Shambeau, ICMA-CM, MPA, will serve as the Interim City Administrator and lead executive recruitment efforts to secure the next City Administrator. Learn more.

Our Services

  • Executive Recruitment

    Whether you’re looking for a new administrator, department head, or interim professional, IPA has you covered. We offer a modern, efficient approach to executive recruitment for local governments, emphasizing speed without compromising quality. Our process leverages a broad network to quickly identify and engage top candidates, streamlining every step from job description development to candidate selection.

    View current employment opportunities.

  • Economic Development & Grant Writing

    The funds are out there, but do you have the resources in place to obtain them? Let IPA do the work. Our team has secured tens of millions of dollars in local, state, and federal grants for public projects, helping local governments fund essential initiatives. From identifying the right funding opportunities to crafting compelling, competitive proposals, the IPA team handles every step of the grant-writing process.

    Learn more about Economic Development services.

  • Communications & Marketing Strategies

    IPA offers tailored communications strategies for local governments, focusing on enhancing public engagement, transparency, and effective messaging. Services include developing comprehensive communication plans, referendum and public information campaigns, tourism marketing, and more.

  • Strategic & Specialty Planning

    IPA’s strategic planning services assist local governments define long-term goals, prioritize initiatives, and align resources for maximum impact. The process includes facilitating collaborative planning sessions, conducting needs assessments, and developing clear, actionable plans that address community challenges and opportunities. IPA ensures strategies are both inclusive and feasible, empowering local governments to drive sustainable growth and improve services for residents.

  • Governance Training and Leadership Workshops

    IPA offers professional development and governance training services designed to strengthen the leadership and operational effectiveness of government bodies. Training programs focus on the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and enhancing their skills as appointed leaders. Topics covered include public policy, decision-making, ethics, conflict resolution, strategic planning, communication, and relationship building techniques with administration and staff.

  • Professional Coaching & Mentorship

    Professional coaching services enhance the leadership skills of local government officials, staff, and executives. IPA’s coaching programs focus on building effective communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and team leadership. Our team helps individuals strengthen their ability to navigate complex challenges, lead with confidence, and foster positive change within their organizations and communities.

Meet the IPA Team

Innovative Public Advisors is led by partners Jess Wildes and Jay Shambeau, two seasoned professionals with extensive experience in public sector management and strategic consulting. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise in government administration, operations, communications, and leadership development—offering innovative solutions to help local governments thrive.


  • Partner

    Jess Wildes, MPA, MS, is a seasoned strategist and co-founder of Innovative Public Advisors (IPA), specializing in local government communications, public relations, and grant acquisition. With a proven track record of securing significant local, state, and federal funding, Jess has helped municipalities access critical resources to support community development, infrastructure, and essential services. Her work also includes crafting effective communication strategies, enhancing public engagement, and building transparent, trust-based relationships between local governments and their communities. With her expertise in both strategic messaging and grant writing, Jess is committed to helping local governments secure the resources they need while fostering strong, effective communication.

  • Jay Shambeau, ICMA-CM, MPA, is a highly experienced public sector professional and a founding partner of Innovative Public Advisors. With over 30 years of expertise in city and county government management, strategic planning, and public policy, Jay has worked with municipalities of all sizes to drive organizational efficiency, enhance governance, and secure critical funding. His background includes leading complex projects, facilitating collaborative planning efforts, and providing executive coaching to local government leaders. Jay is known for his relationship skills and practical approach, blending deep knowledge of governmental processes with a commitment to delivering impactful results. His leadership and insight have helped numerous local governments achieve their goals and navigate the challenges of an ever-evolving public sector landscape.

Let’s Connect

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