The Saratoga City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Leslie Arroyo as the City’s new City Manager, the City’s first female manager.
A seasoned municipal executive with nearly 30 years of leadership experience, Arroyo brings an extensive background in local government, strategic communications, emergency management, labor relations, and executive administration. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for collaborative leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to exceptional public service.
Arroyo has served as Saratoga’s Acting City Manager since January 2026 after joining the City in 2023 as Assistant City Manager. During her tenure, she has overseen the City’s day-to-day operations while working closely with the City Council, executive leadership team, regional partners, and the community to advance strategic priorities and enhance organizational performance.
She has played a pivotal role in strengthening intergovernmental partnerships, leading complex labor and service contract negotiations, improving organizational effectiveness, and guiding the City through significant policy, budget, emergency management, and community initiatives.
Before joining Saratoga, Arroyo served as Deputy City Manager and Director of Communications for the City of South San Francisco. As a member of the City’s executive leadership team, she helped oversee a full-service municipal organization of approximately 900 employees across Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library, and Economic and Community Development.
During her time in South San Francisco, she developed the City’s Strategic Communications and Brand Management Plan and Crisis Communications Plan while serving as the City’s primary media spokesperson and Public Information Officer. She also led equity initiatives, emergency communications, community engagement programs, and advised the City Manager, Mayor, and City Council on strategic communications, public policy, and community relations.
Prior to her public service career, Arroyo spent more than 15 years in executive leadership roles within the communications industry. As Vice President and Management Supervisor at Ketchum Public Relations, she led integrated communications campaigns for nationally recognized consumer brands, overseeing client strategy, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams. Previously, she served as Vice President at Carmichael Lynch Spong Public Relations, where she managed the firm’s San Francisco office.
Earlier in her career, Arroyo worked as a business consultant with Accenture, where she specialized in business process improvement, customer relationship management, and organizational change for Fortune 500 clients. She then transitioned to a career as a television news reporter and anchor in Minneapolis, Reno, and Chico.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Saratoga community as City Manager,” said Arroyo. “This organization is made up of incredibly dedicated employees who care deeply about serving our residents. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the City Council, staff, community members, and regional partners to build upon Saratoga’s strong foundation and ensure the City remains an exceptional place to live, work, and visit.”
Arroyo has received numerous national and industry awards recognizing excellence in public service, communications, marketing, and community engagement, including the National League of Cities Cultural Diversity Award, the National Association of Government Communicators Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award, multiple PRWeek, PRSA Silver and Bronze Anvil, Gold SABRE, and Big Apple Awards. She is also a National Press Foundation Fellow.
She holds a Master of Business Administration from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Communications from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. She has also completed executive certifications in labor relations, emergency management, and public sector leadership, including FEMA Advanced Public Information Officer certification, AlertSCC certification, and the Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Labor Relations Certification.
A proud working mother, Arroyo and her husband, Dan, are raising their two children, Quinn (6) and Ava (4). Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, playing tennis, and spending time exploring new adventures with her family.