[music] >> Edina is welcoming back Jessica Nikkanen as the new Human Resources Director for the city. Jessica previously worked in the HR department before expanding her abilities elsewhere. Edina TV takes a look at why her addition to the team is so special. The role of Human Resources Director is perhaps underrated when it comes to impact on the city's well-being. We need to make sure that they're properly trained, that they're following safety protocols, that they're compensated appropriately, and that we're able to make sure that we have engaged employees because they ultimately end up doing better and working harder for our staff and our community. Jessica Nikkanen is an HR superstar with over 34 years of experience, including here in Edina. I spent 14 years working through um starting in administration roles in smaller cities, then I spent 11 years in HR, which included the HR generalist role previously here at the City of Edina, and then the HR manager role in Minnetonka. I transitioned to the private sector, and there I spent 10 years uh consulting with Minnesota cities and counties helping them to design their employee benefits packages. It's the kind of background that helps to be a better HR Director for Edina. Moving into the private sector gives me a completely different perspective of how private sector organizations, particularly very large ones, operate. The Edina HR department maintains a workplace that brings out excellence in all employees. Here in Edina, we have some of the best employees in the entire state. And we want to make sure that we're able to give them the resources they need to do their jobs the best that they can. It's just really exciting to be a part of building all that's required to attract, retain, and engage those employees. For Edina TV, I'm Kenneth Kelleher. The city employs approximately 330 full-time employees along with several hundred part-time and seasonal employees across 11 city departments.