Mission Statement

We provide businesses with expert HR Knowledge and the tools necessary to effectively grow their business and manage their workforce.

Vision Statement 

To be the leading HR solutions provider in San Diego.

Values

Excellence – Provide the best experience for our clients
Collaboration – Leverage our collective expertise
Integrity – Always
Accountability – For actions and non-actions
Quality – Do well in all we do

About SDEA

Since 1914, San Diego has relied on us to provide essential HR services and programs that create and preserve an inspired, healthy, and productive workforce. Our members see us as an extraordinary resource on a broad range of HR concerns.

VALUE We help organizations mitigate risk, make the right decisions, save time. and ensure their employees are trained.

EXPERIENCE We have a long history of excellence.  We offer personalized, friendly service and build long-term relationships with our member organizations.

CONNECTED We deliver timely communications, keeping our members and other members of the community aware of changes in HR laws and regulations.

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALSOur team is made up of passionate certified experts who deliver expert HR advice and council when you need it.

About SDEA

Since 1914, San Diego has relied on us to provide essential HR services and programs that create and preserve an inspired, healthy, and productive workforce. Our members see us as an extraordinary resource a broad range of HR concerns.

VALUE We help organizations:  Mitigate Risk / Make The Right Decisions / Save Time / Ensure their employees are trained, current and compliant.

EXPERIENCE We have a long history of excellence.  We offer personalized, friendly service and build long-term relationships with our member organizations.

CONNECTED We deliver timely communications, keeping our members and other members of the community aware of changes in HR laws and regulations.

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS Our team is made up of passionate certified experts who deliver expert HR advice and council when you need it.

Team

Leadership

Jennifer Jacobus PHRca®

Chief Executive Officer at the San Diego Employers Association. Jennifer Jacobus is a dedicated professional with a passion for all things Human Resources. With a wealth of experience and expertise, she plays a vital role at the San Diego Employers Association, contributing to the organization’s mission of providing small and medium-sized businesses with unparalleled access to strategic and reliable Human Resources support. Jennifer brings a diverse and accomplished background to her role at the San Diego Employers Association. While her professional career has consisted exclusively of SDEA, Jennifer has held many titles throughout her SDEA career currently representing the Association as the Chief Executive Officer.  Jennifer thrives on making personal connections and understands that this is a key element in supporting SDEA’s vision to be the leading HR Partner in San Diego. Jennifer is considered an expert in the field of Human Resources, receiving her national certification in Human Resources in 2002 and state certification in 2008. Jennifer has served as President to the Associate Executive Association of San Diego, currently sitting on the Board of the Executive Association of San Diego. Jennifer is a valued member of the San Diego Employers Association team, and her dedication and expertise continue to drive the organization’s success to instill confidence in their members that ensure the business side of things are covered and assisting employers in engaging and empowering their team.

Molly Wood, SPHR®, MAOL 

Molly has more than 20 years of experience in the Human Resources field in organizations that vary in size and industry. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a certificate in Human Resources Management from SDSU. She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) nationally. Her background includes, talent acquisition, development of job descriptions, creation of company handbooks and newsletters, policy development, program implementation, performance feedback, and employee relations.  Molly works closely with our members and can provide on the spot advice, HR audits, handbook review, employment practices review, onsite HR support, and professional development training.  In her free time, Molly enjoys yoga, hiking, learning about and tasting wine, traveling (of course), and the company of family, good friends, and her cat.

Evelyn Galvan

Evelyn is SDEA’s HR/Member Affairs Consultant.  Evelyn will be assisting SDEA members with membership-related inquiries, SDEA training classes, and additional SDEA services.

Evelyn comes to SDEA with an administrative background in various industries, including nonprofit, construction, and higher education. Evelyn is fluent in both Spanish and English and is working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Grand Canyon University. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her family, jogging, and hiking.

Diana Loza

Diana serves as Member Service Coordinator, assisting members with their needs related to membership, classes, training and all SDEA services.  Diana has more than 10 years of experience as a legal secretary working at major international law firms. She is bilingual in Spanish and English. Diana obtained her Associates degree in Legal Studies from Utah Valley University.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, good wine and occasionally binge watch a good Netflix show.

Gabriela Howe

Gabriela Howe serves as SDEA’s Marketing Director. Gabriela has ten years of experience as an entrepreneur in the manufacturing of photography products industry. She worked for two years as SDEA’s Member Services Coordinator and slowly transitioned in to the marketing role. She enjoys keeping people updated about our events and promoting SDEA’s training programs.  She also loves working on marketing campaigns, maintaining our website, taking photos, creating content and making videos for SDEA. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, taking photos, working on her portfolio, and going to the beach.

Training Team

Kimberly Parker

Kimberly Parker  –

Lois Hall

Lois brings over twenty years of independent and corporate business experience in training, development, coaching, and management to SDEA’s course offerings. She has designed training and coaching programs and facilitated workshops for all levels of employees with an emphasis on skill and career development. Her expertise is in leadership and management development, performance management, career management, succession planning, strategic planning and talent management, and sales.

Olga Sanchez de la Vega

Olga has 20 years of experience in corporate training across the US from Hawaii to Puerto Rico. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and conducts training in either language. Olga’s approach is one in which all people feel seen and heard, elevating the quality and impact of her classes. Her trainings are known for their lasting impact and their ability to inspire, motivate, and educate participants. Today, Olga lives in Encinitas, CA with her two children and dog Coco. Her love of the Baja region’s food, agriculture, wine, and restaurant communities has led to her own entrepreneurial venture – The O Xperience. O Xperience helps Baja businesses achieve goals by improving customer experience and branding while also brining individuals, groups, and the media to visit Baja businesses to foster success.

Name

Tracy Garmer

Tracy L. Garmer, MBA, SPHR – Tracy serves a dual role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Health Center Partners of Southern California. Tracy held human resource leadership positions in the fields of Avionics, Building Services and Telecommunications. Tracy also provides human resources consulting services to businesses throughout Southern California and is adjunct faculty at University of Redlands, San Diego. She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources, is a member of the San Diego Society for Human Resources Management and on the board of SDEA. Tracy earned a bachelor’s in business from California State Polytechnic University Pomona and a master’s in business administration from the University of Redlands.

Jan Zaragoza

Jan is the author of the book Meetings Over Easy: How to Have Better, Shorter, More Productive Meetings. She is President of High-Performance Training Solutions, a performance-improvement firm specializing in business communications and supervisory and management development. She designs and conducts training programs on time management, strategic presentation skills, business writing, coaching skills, effective meeting skills, and performance management.

Raul Juvera

Raul Juvera SHRM CP, HRPA, is a HR Consultant and brings over 18 years of HR and Safety experience from small to large size businesses. Raul supports businesses in the development of leaders, HR practices, Safety Culture development, workers compensation, risk management and employee engagement. He actively influences organizational change, developing and implementing innovative strategies in support of workforce engagement. He transcends conventional management practice to generate immediate and long-term results which impact the true culture of a business. His bi-lingual impact is across both Spanish and English audiences. He holds a B.S. in Business Management, and he is a Human Resources Manager certified professional and Toastmaster. Much of Raul’s work has been in HR & safety compliance, training, and Risk Management. He also holds certifications from SHRM as a Certified Professional in Human Resources and Professional in Human Resources Agriculture Personal. Raul has designed and delivered many presentations to a variety of professional groups of between 10 – 500 individuals. Topics have included Communication, Motivation, Leadership, Diversity, Team Development and Performance Management. When Raul isn’t keeping up to date on all things HR, you will find him learning everything he can about auto mechanics.

Board of Directors

Scott Maichel

Raul Juvera

Mitch Mammini, CFA ®

Stephanie San Antonio

Adrienne Bixby

Kelly Etter

Our Partners

Contact us: 858.505.0024