Engaging, elevating, and serving the California human resource community

The most powerful way to develop as a leader is to volunteer. PIHRA provides members with opportunities to hone their leadership skills through volunteerism in various functional areas at our 17 chapters and at the board of directors level. Our leaders gain visibility in the community and the skills necessary to advance their career.

PIHRA Board of Directors

Leading PIHRA into the future ​​

	President	Susan Bowman, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-SCP HR Operations Consultant T4 HR | Consulting
	Vice President	Lauren Sweeney, SHRM-CP Master Leadership Trainer & Coach Rise Up for You
	Immediate Past President	Tara Fournier, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, MSHR Chief Executive Consultant T4 HR | Consulting
	Treasurer	Daniel Erickson Chief Financial Officer Diamond W
	Secretary	Aileen Dewar-Costello, aPHR Vice President of Sales, California Engage PPO
	Regional Representative Central Region Gateway Cities, Inland Valley, Los Angeles	Clark Souers CEO & Founder, HR Consultant EXPERT EFFECT
	Regional Representative Eastern Region Coachella Valley, Riverside, Temecula Valley	Frank Miller, EdD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Senior Employee Relations Advisor Adventist Health
	Regional Representative Northern Region Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, Ventura County	Clarissa Paz Chief People & Culture Officer Girl Scouts of California Central Coast
	Regional Representative Southern Region North OC, North County San Diego, South OC	Tremaine Friend, PHR, SHRM-CP VP of Human Resources & Talent Operations Talent Xpanse
	Regional Representative Valley Region Burbank/Glendale, Pasadena, Woodland Hills	Ignacio Plascencia Vice President, Human Resources Homeboy Industries
	Regional Representative Western Region Long Beach, South Bay, West LA	Sheryl Bender, SPHR Superintendent of Personnel and Training City of Long Beach, Parks, Recreation, and Marine

2026 Committee Chairs

Fostering PIHRA’s growth & development​​

	Membership	Sonja Montiel Co-Founder EQ Performance Consulting LLC
	Programs	Earl Clarkston, SHRM-SCP Human Resource & Benefits Director Vintage Grocers
	Government Advocacy Team	Dana Mayhew, MPA, PHRca, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Owner, Founder, HR Consultant TDC Consults
	Emerging Leaders	Jennifer Blair, SPHR Strategic Advisor SAP
	College Relations Chair	Eric De Wames Managing Partner Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP
	College Relations Co-Chair	Stephany Morris-Nelson, PHR, SHRM-CP Director of HR Consult with Steffy, LLC

2026 Community Chairs

Building robust local HR communities

Our Chairs will lead local communities across Southern California, creating opportunities for HR professionals to learn and connect.

	Antelope Valley	Vacant
	Burbank/Glendale	Armine Muradyan, PHRca Vice President of Human Resources SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union
	Cerritos	Rob Boldt Executive Vice President, Employee Benefits IMA Financial Group
	Coachella Valley	Monica Celis-Vallejos, PHR HR Business Partner FitzGerald & Mule
	Inland Valley	Cindy Kao Executive Client Advisor LHH Recruitment Solutions
	Long Beach	Mark Halushka Human Resources Business Partner MISTRAS Group
	Los Angeles	Christy Hodson, PHR Senior HR Business Partner Goodwin Procter
	North County	Vacant
	North OC	Natalie Will Director of Human Resources Frazer
	Pasadena	Michelle Landrum Vice President, Employee Benefits Gallagher
	Riverside	Merrell Botello Partner Nava Benefits
	Santa Clarita	Sonny Huynh Area Assistant VP Gallagher
	South Bay	Edgar Garcia-Mora Executive Vice President, Employee Benefits IMA Financial Group
	South OC	Nicolas Lodge
	Temecula Valley	Rick Magtira, PHR, SCHRM-CP Human Resources Manager Animal Friends of the Valleys
	Ventura County	Eva Loeffler Executive Director of Operations and Human Resources Sage Network & Communications
	West Los Angeles	Patrick Guthrie Senior Vice President, Employee Benefits IMA Financial Group
	Woodland Hills	Danone Simpson Chief Executive Officer Montage Insurance Solutions

PIHRA Foundation

Serving Southern California Workforce Readiness

The PIHRA Foundation provides scholarship and educational opportunities for emerging HR professionals and HR professionals in transition. Learn more about the PIHRA Foundation at pihra.org/foundation.

President

Valentina Fiorentino Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Farmers & Merchant Bank

Running for a Board Position

As a current, voting member of PIHRA, you have the benefit of running for a leadership position on the PIHRA Board of Directors or on a PIHRA Chapter Board. The elected positions range from one – two year commitments. There are also standing committee chair positions on the PIHRA Board of Directors. These are appointed positions and lead the following areas for the association: Professional Development, Membership Development, Organizational Continuity, Legislative Affairs, College Relations and Emerging Leaders.

To find out more about the annual election process, including contact information for the nominations committee, please visit the PIHRA Volunteer page.

We look forward to your contribution in helping take PIHRA to its next stage of development.

PIHRA Past Presidents

Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!