Erik Jensen is the Principal and Founder of Jensen Strategies, LLC. He established the firm in 2012 after serving over 20 years as a public administrator, project manager, and public affairs consultant in Oregon and Washington.  Erik’s extensive experience and knowledge assists clients in navigating decision-making on key issues and future planning.

Erik has assisted numerous local governments and other organizations in developing strategic and tangible courses of action.  As a seasoned facilitator, strategic planner, and organizational and public policy development expert, he has led significant decision-making initiatives for numerous entities including cities, counties, and professional organizations.  These projects have included city council retreats, strategic planning processes, community vision action planning, organizational assessments, committee facilitation, and public policy studies.

He also manages recruitment processes for local government administrator positions including city/county managers, department directors, and supervisors.

An experienced facilitator and trained mediator, Erik has helped clients build partnerships and reach consensus among diverse interests. He believes the best policy and organizational development initiatives are objective, inclusive, well informed, and lead to tangible outcomes.  Erik emphasizes the importance of balancing community and organizational interests, involving key stakeholders, and ensuring the process is well informed to build sustainable results.

Before forming Jensen Strategies, Erik was the Administration Department Director for the City of Hillsboro overseeing several organization-wide functions including city-wide projects (e.g., visioning, strategic planning, sustainability), legislative relations, community and media relations, and franchise management. Earlier, as a project manager for the City, he led policy initiatives such as the development and implementation of the international award-winning Hillsboro 2020 Vision. He also led the City’s first organization-wide operational strategic planning process. 

Earlier, as a public affairs consultant, Erik facilitated public engagement processes for large, high-profile projects such as the Portland Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Program, and Oregon Arena Project.  He has also held staff positions at the Oregon Legislature and on national/state/local political campaigns.

Erik is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA), and the Society for Human Resource Management.  He also serves on the Lewis & Clark College Board of Alumni.

Erik has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lewis & Clark College. 

Erik spent the majority of his childhood living overseas in Denmark and Iran where he developed a first-hand appreciation for different cultures and international cuisine.  Outside of the office, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.