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.
Featured Recruitment: Village of Waunakee
Deputy Administrator/Community Development Director
This new position is an exceptional opportunity to work alongside Village Administrator Todd Schmidt, a talented staff team, and a forward-thinking Village Board—with the goal of becoming Todd's successor in 2027
Our Services
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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.
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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.
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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, managing crisis communications, tourism marketing, and more.
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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.
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Governance Training, Team Building & Retreats
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.
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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.
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PartnerJess 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.
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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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