Amy Blake: “Bad Luck” Kickstarts a Career in Public Service

What seemed like a bit of bad luck at the time turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to Amy Blake’s career.

“After college, I began my career in social services, managing all aspects of group homes,” says Blake, who earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical and medical social work from the College of St. Benedict in 1993.

“I really enjoyed the HR duties: recruiting, training and employee development, for example. And, after a few years, I rerouted my path into a high-end recruitment firm.”

That path ultimately led Blake—current president of PSHRA’s Executive Council—to her present role as HR and risk management director with the City of Liberty, Mo., a position she’s held for the past 20 years.

While Blake was working at the aforementioned recruitment firm, she became aware of an opening for an HR manager with a printing company in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Blake got the job, but, “unfortunately, the company closed its doors after two years,” she says now.

“Unemployed and worrying about student loan bills, I applied for an HR position with a city in the Twin Cities metro area. And thank my lucky stars that I did.”

Blake “fell in love with public sector human resources” in her role as an HR coordinator with the City of St. Louis Park. Roughly two years later, she found an opportunity with Clay County, Mo. that enabled her to continue nurturing that love.

“I moved to the Kansas City area, and worked as the director of HR and risk management [with Clay County] for a few years, and then found my way back to my true professional love—local government at the city level.”

Blake took the HR and risk management director position with the City of Liberty in May 2006, and has built a life in the Kansas City suburb and Clay County seat.

“I live in Liberty, my kids grew up in Liberty, and I have made an impact in this town, by professionally taking care of those who take care of it,” says Blake. “I enjoy going into work, laughing with coworkers about what happened in last night’s City Council meeting, collaborating with my team and watching our employees flourish.”

Blake has also become an active PSHRA member during her time in Liberty, becoming a member in June 2007. She recalls her first experience with the Association, in 2006.

“It was at the Greater Kansas City Chapter spring conference,” she says. “It was a full day of being new to the metro area, attending a conference hosted by an association I knew nothing about, and being kind of terrified, nervous and lonely.”

Those feelings didn’t last long.

Toward the end of her first day at the event, “someone asked all the first-time attendees to stand,” says Blake.

“I think I grunted quietly myself as I rose to my feet. Then, thunderous applause from the entire auditorium filled the space, as the few of us standing received claps and shouts of Welcome!’ and ‘We’re glad you’re here!’ After that, I knew that I found my tribe. I joined PSHRA the following year.”

Blake has since served as the Kansas City Chapter’s Program Chair and President, with the chapter receiving a PSHRA Chapter Award of Excellence in 2009. She also served the Central Region and Executive Board as the Central Region Chair before becoming the organization’s president in 2026.

“And I loved every minute of it,” says Blake, who describes her future goals as being simple and straightforward.

“I will continue to be a strong and supportive steward to the internal community of my organization. I will maintain the integrity of our programs, and ensure a safe yet rewarding place to work, learn and grow for my employees,” she says.

“When I retire in five years, I want to know that I left my organization in the best place possible to serve those who serve my community.”