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 PROFESSIONALS – Our 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 PHR-CA, SHRM-CP
Jennifer has worked for SDEA since 1988 and is considered an expert in the field of Human Resources. She conducts HR audits, drafts and reviews employee handbooks, and provides advice and assistance with employer-employee/employment-related issues for the SDEA membership. Jennifer has created and conducted training in the areas of employment law, exempt and non-exempt status, leaves of absence, wage and hour, handbook dos and don’ts, and harassment prevention (AB1825) training. She has provided her expertise, via speaking engagements, to many industry, club, and membership groups. She is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) nationally, as well as in the state of California, through the Human Resources Certificate Institute. She received a Human Resources certification from the College of Extended Studies through the University of California San Diego. Jennifer is a long-standing member of both the national and local chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and is a past member and Associate Board President of the Executives Association of San Diego.
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.
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 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. Gabriela attended San Diego Mesa College.
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.
Training Team
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.
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.