Tempe's new city manager, Rosa Inchausti, has dedicated 30 years of work to the city and is prepared to take on this new chapter and role.
City Manager
Tempe city manager champions transparency, community tackling her new role
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Community Involvement
I don’t need to be everywhere. I choose to be everywhere, because I get excited to see the people, and every event or cultural engagement is the fabric of Tempe and I’m honored to be part of that.”
Over a month into her new role within the city of Tempe, City Manager Rosa Inchausti is eager to engage with the community on meaningful projects in this position, despite naysayers who have criticized her leadership choices.
City managers serve an essential role in a municipality, facilitating communication between departments and also managing the day-to-day operations of the city so that it is fiscally responsible and actively serves the interests of the people in it.
Before her appointment to the role on June 27, Inchausti first briefly served as the interim city manager, which stirred some controversy because of reports of negative workplace behaviors, her lack of city manager experience and concern with her starting salary.
Former City Manager Andrew Ching left for the Town of Paradise Valley on June 16, leaving the position open. Compared to Ching, Inchausti’s salary of $315,000 is the highest of all current city employees and over $30,000 more than her predecessor.
Per her new contract as city manager, Inchausti’s duties officially began June 26, and she is eligible for an annual merit step increase in salary of up to 5% based on satisfactory performance of her duties as determined by city council.
Having a 30-year tenure working for the city, the new city manager has served in many roles, from Tempe’s first diversity director to supervisor in diversion services.
Rosa Inchausti speaks at the June 27 meeting where she was appointed as city manager.
Courtesy Tempe 11
(Courtesy Tempe 11)
Florida-born and California-raised, Inchausti credits her parents, who were Cuban immigrants, for instilling a fierce commitment to education and pursuing greater opportunities than they were afforded, given they fled their home country for the United States.
“They always said at the kitchen table, ‘Education is something no one takes away from you,’” Inchausti said. “And I always thought that was a funny statement for parents to make, but when you think about it from their lens, when you lose everything, even your family, I can understand why they wanted to invest in a human and what they can do for themselves.”
She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Loyola Marymount University and a master’s from Northern Arizona University, and Inchausti was on-track to practice as a psychologist before her supervisor at Banner Health recommended her to a position in Tempe.
Having only spoken Spanish in her household growing up, she says her fluency in the language is actually what ended up taking her to Tempe as its first bilingual marriage and family therapist, where she ended up staying for three decades.
On her first day in the Community Services office, Inchausti recalls asking if people really stay working at the city for 10 to 20 years, which she thought she couldn’t see herself doing as she had plans to eventually get her doctorate after gaining some experience working for Tempe.
“But once you fall in love, you know, you make different decisions,” she said.
Tempe has given her “the perfect balance” in what she wants out of a job, where she’s able to pursue varied opportunities for professional growth, make a visible impact and find a community that feels like family.
Acting city manager
Although she’s only served as city manager for a short period of time, Inchausti and the city manager’s office have been busy preparing for what’s to come as the city prepares to approve its next general plan in March 2024 and also the daily task of overseeing Tempe’s $1.4 billion budget.
“I am lucky that I was given, foundationally, opportunities along the way as stair steps to prepare me for this role, and also second, I am surrounded by an incredible team,” she said.
Inchausti’s appointment brought to light alleged reports by the Arizona Republic of poor workplace behavior, which she said was disappointing as people often don’t take the time to understand all the facts of a situation.
As a crucial city leader, her job doesn’t just entail the operations or the budget, the challenges she finds get the trickiest involve the differing opinions between city staff and butting heads with impassioned residents.
From having to rebuild public trust working as the diversity director amidst a class-action lawsuit to challenging every city department in strategic planning, Inchausti has had her fair share of tough assignments.
“They jump to conclusions and I think that’s challenging. It’s challenging as a woman in this role. It’s challenging because you want to spend your time and energy focused on the great opportunities ahead,” she said.
Now city manager, Inchausti marks another first for the city as the first woman to hold this position.
Despite the allegations of troublesome leadership choices, many community members came out in support of her during her June appointment.
President of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona Don Jongewaard spoke of their first meeting in the mid-1990s, when Tempe was much smaller and less diverse. He said that her efforts have helped to lead the city’s growth and what it is known as today.
“What struck me and what remains one of her strongest attributes is Rosa’s heart,” Jongewaard said. “When city government works best, it cares most about those we serve. Rosa cares.”
He added that she strikes a perfect balance as a leader with her compassion for the community, while also holding those around her accountable — a difficult task, but something Jongewaard believes Tempe is in need of.
Aside from the support of other past and present Tempe leaders, even some residents expressed how they appreciate Inchausti’s work.
South Tempe resident Muhammed Zubair spoke about his 20 year involvement with the city as a volunteer, having been part of the interview process for city leadership positions many times, like chief of police.
“Over the years… I had known her leadership skill, and as previous people mentioned here, her work ethics. She’s a seven by 24 type person,” Zubair said.
One experience that stood out to him over the years was when Inchausti had gone out of her way to give him a phone call from out of state to inform him of an update with a situation he was having as part of the Islamic community in Tempe.
He complimented the new city manager’s commitment to her job no matter the circumstance.
Of her appointment meeting, Inchausti said she was greatly humbled by the diverse crowd of people who spoke kindly of her work in Tempe. One of her daughters, who was in the audience, had compared it to listening to your own funeral.
“I said ‘That’s a morbid thing to say.’ She said, ‘How fortunate for me as your daughter to sit through that,’ and I was thinking it was humbling,” Inchausti said.
Outside the office
When she has a moment to herself, the city manager finds joy spending time with her children, sisters and friends whether that be at home or on a weekend trip.
“Honestly, for me, it’s the simple things,” Inchausti said.
Like others, she finds time to relax by going for a run, traveling when she can or jamming to a wide range of music, including artists like Marc Anthony, beloved Cuban singer Celia Cruz and even Morgan Wallen.
Inspired by her family and the impact of her work over the years, Inchausti is eager to see what she can provide the community going forward, considering the urbanization of downtown and the expected growth in population.
Tempe celebrates its residents, from its June Pride festivities to cultural events, Inchausti sees value in making appearances at the variety of gatherings the city has to offer.
Independent Newsmedia/Caroline Yu
(Independent Newsmedia/Caroline Yu)
Regarded as a dedicated city employee, Inchausti is seen at almost all city events granted her schedule allows it. Community is paramount to the city leader, and she has tried to stay involved in a number of local initiatives since moving to the city in the 1990s.
Taking care of litter cleanup after Tempe Pride to the different cultural events in the city, Inchausti often hears that she’s “everywhere” from attendees.
“I don’t need to be everywhere. I choose to be everywhere, because I get excited to see the people, and every event or cultural engagement is the fabric of Tempe and I’m honored to be part of that,” she said.
Involving herself in the community in any way possible is what she believes as the foundation for good government.
Even if she’s on an errand, Inchausti invites residents to speak to her about their concerns, setting the tone and expectation that public servants like herself are passionate about the community and their issues under her leadership.
Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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President of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona Don Jongewaard spoke of their first meeting in the mid-1990s, when Tempe was much smaller and less diverse. He said that her efforts have helped to lead the city’s growth and what it is known as today.
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