ABOUT US
Recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest growing private companies for the past two years, we are a team of HR, Payroll, Compliance, and Recruiting experts with multi-industry and multi-state experience. Over the past eight years, the Company has provided hundreds of businesses across America with customizable human resources, payroll, recruiting, and human capital management technology solutions. We believe in building deep relationships with our clients, providing a customer experience that feels like we’re an embedded part of our clients’ teams, as opposed to feeling like an outsourced vendor.
Our most popular solutions include:
- The Virtual HR Department. We deliver all aspects of a full-service HR department – both strategic and tactical. Customized around your needs, and often paired with an internal resource who needs help, this solution feels similar to having your own HR, payroll, and recruiting department, but at a lower cost.
- Recruiting Services. We replace expensive headhunters and the “Post & Pray” method of finding talent, with a unique labor-based recruiting fee structure
- Payroll Management. We manage and process your payroll.
- HR Technology Platform. Our technology solution helps you hire, onboard, pay, and support your team members.
Jamie Yang
Co-founder & Managing Partner
Rob shneer
Co-founder And Managing Partner
Rob has nearly 25 years of Human Resources and Recruiting experience in mid-sized fast-growing companies, large global corporations, and small privately held businesses. Prior to co-founding HR Pals, Rob was a Senior HR Executive for a rapid-growth solar energy business where he built a recruiting function that filled over 100 positions per month. Earlier in his career, Rob spent several years as the VP of HR at MedAssets, a 3,000 employee healthcare services and technology company, where he oversaw 600% growth in the Company’s employee population and helped guide the Company through several acquisitions and its IPO process. His additional experience includes five years as an HR leader at EarthLink during the dot.com era, Fortune 500 experience at Toyota and AECOM Technology, and head of HR for a 150 employee privately-held software company. Rob holds a Bachelors in Psychology from UC Berkeley and a Masters from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. He has also been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources since 2001.
The Pals Team
ADRIANA BLAKE
Senior Human Resources Director
In her current role as Senior HR Director, Adriana is responsible for leading a team of HR professionals who manage the entire employee life-cycle for our clients, including onboarding, HR compliance, employee relations, benefits, and performance management. Prior to HR Pals, Adriana managed a highly successful 10-person recruiting team in the renewable energy industry. Adriana holds a Bachelors in Communications from CSU, Long Beach, is a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and holds the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designation.
ALBERT CASTRO
Human Resources Generalist
Albert brings a diverse professional and educational background as a bilingual Payroll Coordinator. In his role, Albert is responsible for preparing payrolls for clients across a variety of industries. Prior to joining Pals, Albert worked in the education and health care industries as a teacher, counselor, caregiver, and administrative specialist. Working in these roles helped Albert hone his exceptional communication and organizational skills. Albert received his Bachelors from California State University at Bakersfield, where he majored in Psychology.
ALISSA HICKS
Lead Recruiter
Alissa brings a strong background in talent acquisition to the team. Prior to joining Pals, she recruited for several years at a major staffing agency where she was quickly promoted to Branch Manager. Alissa possesses recruiting experience across a wide variety of job functions, including Human Resources, Finance, Manufacturing, Production, and others. In addition, Alissa has prior experience in social work, where she develop exceptional interpersonal communication and interviewing skills. Alissa holds a Bachelors in Social Work from Southern Illinois University.
ALLYSON LYNCH
Human Resources Coordinator
Allyson joined HR Pals after spending 4+ years in the technology industry as a Senior Recruiting Coordinator and Operations Specialist. She specializes in customer service, employee development, creating HR process efficiencies, program implementation and management. In her last role, she managed the global new hire onboarding program at Snap Inc. Allyson also has customer service experience in the food & beverage, hospitality and fitness industries. Allyson holds a Bachelors in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration from Sacramento State University.
AMANDA HAMPTON
Senior Recruiter
Amanda is an experienced recruiting and HR professional who manages leadership, finance, HR, skilled trades, and technology searches for the Company. Prior to Recruiting Pals, Amanda worked for several years as a Recruiter and HR Manager in the staffing industry. Most recently she worked as a full life cycle Recruiter at Strategic Solutions where she sourced, interviewed, and placed candidates with clients across a variety of industries. Amanda holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from Stevens Institute of Business & Arts.
BRANDON RAPOSA
Senior Implementation Specialist
Brandon brings over 8 years of experience in HR systems implementation and integration to the HR Pals team. In his most recent role as an Integration Solutions Manager, Brandon led a team of specialists implementing HR software for clients across a variety of industries. His prior experience has enabled him to develop effective communication and strong attention to detail which are both critical to a successful implementation process. Brandon received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento.
BRIANNA GUTIERREZ
Human Resources Generalist
Brianna is a bilingual HR Generalist who joined HR Pals in 2021. Prior to joining the team, Brianna worked in customer service and as an Administrative Specialist in the financial services industry. In addition, Brianna has volunteered in her community, translating documentation for non-English speakers. In her role, she utilizes her sharp organizational skills in the delivery of new hire onboarding, benefits administration, and HR administration. Brianna holds her Bachelors in Public Policy from the University of California, Riverside.
CAMRYN WILSON
Human Resources Coordinator
Camryn joined the HR Pals team in 2023 as an HR Coordinator. Prior to joining Pals, Camryn worked in the Valve Industry as an HR Assistant, where she provided HR support for over 400 employees across 10 company locations. Her prior experience has helped her develop excellent customer service skills with exceptional attention to detail. Her goal is to provide fresh HR knowledge to her clients and team. Camryn earned a Bachelors in Human Resource Management from Western Illinois University.
CARMEN YANG
Human Resources Manager
Carmen first joined HR Pals in 2016 while working on her Bachelor’s degree. After spending three years working in payroll, customer service, and HR Generalist roles in the construction and fitness industries, Carmen returned to the Company in 2020. In her role as HR Manager, Carmen supports her clients across the areas of payroll, new hire onboarding, benefits, and HR administration. Carmen holds a Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in HR from the University of La Verne.
CELESTE ALVAREZ
Human Resources Coordinator
Celeste is a bilingual HR professional that brings 5+ years of experience in administration, employee onboarding, and process improvement to the HR Pals team. Prior to joining Pals, Celeste was an HR Technician II for a local county, where she collaborated closely with HR teams, stakeholders, and clients to align onboarding processes with policies and procedures, as well as create a positive and inclusive work environment. Celeste holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Financial Management from the University of La Verne.
CIARA VALENCIA
Human Resources Coordinator
Ciara joined HR Pals in 2022. She brings 4+ years of experience working in Human Resources and Customer Success. In her most recent role as an HR Coordinator at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc., Ciara was handling all recruitment and new hire onboarding, employee relations, and HR administration for over 500 employees. Her attention to detail, enthusiasm to learn, and ability to multitask make her a great addition to the team. Ciara holds a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Psychology from the University of Arizona.
Courtney Polkowski
Director of Recruiting
Eddie Miller
Human Resources Manager
ELIZABETH GUROSH
Human Resources Coordinator
Lizzy brings several years of teaching, building & event management, and graphic design experience to the HR Pals team. Prior to joining Pals, Elizabeth worked as a Graphic Designer where she maintained close relationships with clients. Elizabeth’s prior experience of managing accounts, social media, and brand development has helped her become an effective communicator, organizer, and pushed her desire to help others achieve their goals. Elizabeth holds a Bachelors in Graphic Design from DePaul University.
ERIKA OVERHOFF
Recruiter
Erika brings a unique background in the areas of corporate recruiting, external staffing, resume writing, and career coaching to the Pals team. She has 7+ years of recruiting experience in HR, administration, customer service, sales, marketing, and finance across a variety of career levels. Her entrepreneurial spirit and resume-writing business have helped her expand her candidate network, allowing her to quickly fill open roles with quality candidates. Erika holds a Bachelors in Counseling Psychology from Maryville University of St. Louis.
ERIKA ROMERO
Senior Human Resources Director
Erika is a bilingual Senior HR Director with 7+ years of well-rounded HR experience. In her current capacity, she is responsible for leading a team of professionals who manage all aspects of HR including employee relations, employment policies and practices, compliance, benefits administration, and workers’ comp. Prior to HR Pals, Erika worked in the residential solar industry and was promoted numerous times during her tenure. Erika holds a Bachelors in Political Science from UC Irvine, is a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and holds the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designation.
ERIN O'CONNOR-STAUDT
Human Resources Generalist
Prior to joining HR Pals, Erin worked as an educator for 7+ years. In her most recent position as Department Chairperson, she led recruiting, onboarding, and performance management for her organization. In her current role as HR Generalist, Erin supports clients with new hire onboarding, benefits administration, employee relations, HRIS administration and day-to-day HR operations. Erin is fluent in Spanish, and holds a Bachelors in Communication & Hispanic Studies from the University of Illinois, Chicago and a Masters in Teaching from North Park University.
GABRIELA ROMERO
Senior Human Resources Generalist
Gabriela joined HR Pals in 2020 and has been promoted multiple times. Prior to joining the Company, Gabriela spent two years working in customer service, recruiting, and education. Most recently she worked with the Raíces Center, a non-profit dedicated to increasing the enrollment of Latinx students into institutions of higher education. In her current role, Gabriela is responsible for employee relations, compliance, employee benefits, and payroll. Gabriela holds a Bachelors in Media Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.
HANNAH SANTY
Senior Business Operations Manager
Hannah brings 8+ years of experience to the HR Pals team. Hannah started her career in hospitality management, where she played a pivotal role in day-to-day operations, developing and improving SOPs, revenue management, payroll, and HR. More recently, she led business operations functions in the real estate and finance industries. Hannah utilizes her passion and experience to improve processes, cultivate a positive workplace culture, and ensure company goals are met. Hannah earned a Bachelors in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach.
IVY LO
Human Resources Generalist
Ivy joined Pals in 2021 and serves as a Human Resources Generalist for multiple clients across multiple states. In her position, Ivy handles benefits administration, new hire onboarding, payroll preparation, HR compliance, employee relations, and Human Resources administration. Prior to joining Pals, Ivy worked in customer service at a major e-Commerce Company, along with positions in event planning and retail. Ivy holds her Bachelors in Sociology from the University of California at Riverside.
JINNIE NICHOLS
Senior Payroll Specialist
Jinnie brings 7+ years of payroll experience to the Pals Team. Most recently she worked as the Lead Payroll Specialist at a mid-sized public accounting firm serving clients across a variety of industries. She brings with her a wealth of experience to our clients in: full-service payroll, quarterly/year-end reporting, certified payroll, workers’ compensation reporting and auditing, new hire reporting, garnishments, and other areas of payroll expertise. Jinnie earned her Certified Payroll Specialist certification in 2018.
JOHANA MORA
Senior Benefits Specialist
Johana brings over 13 years of Employee Benefits experience to the team. Prior to joining Pals, Johana worked as an Account Representative and Benefits Analyst for HUB International, a large global insurance broker. Johana has deep expertise in benefits account management, employee benefits plan design, financial analysis, benefits benchmarking, employee communications and compliance. Johana received a Bachelors degree in Communications from Cal State Los Angeles and holds a California Life and Health Insurance License.
KATHERINE O’BRIEN
Human Resources Coordinator
Katie brings several years of experience in HR, Sales, and Operations to the HR Pals team. In her most recent role as an HR Coordinator for a fast-growing insurance startup, she worked directly with leadership to develop policies, train team members on benefits, onboard new hires, and answer day-to-day HR related questions for her team. Katie leverages her interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and creative problem solving to ensure client satisfaction. Katie earned a Bachelors in Education from Michigan State University.
KELLY SCANLON
Human Resources Coordinator
Kelly brings several years of experience to the HR Pals team. Prior to joining Pals, she was an HR Assistant Manager for a door manufacturing company, where she gained valuable experience in payroll processing, handling employee files, and employee onboarding. Kelly’s diverse background also includes elementary and middle school teaching. Kelly holds a Bachelors in Health Science from Northern Illinois University and a Masters in Elementary Education from Western Governors University.
KELSEY O'CONNOR
Human Resources Director
Kelsey brings 10+ years of in-house Human Resources experience from several different industries including retail, insurance, finance, and fitness. Prior to joining Pals, she was the HR Manager at Orangetheory Fitness. She has deep experience in many areas within HR, including: employee relations, employee onboarding and offboarding, payroll administration, employee benefits, compensation, and workers’ comp. Kelsey holds a Bachelors in Exercise Science from Eastern Illinois University and a SHRM-CP Certification.
LEA DOMINGUEZ
Human Resources Generalist
Lea brings 8+ years of HR, marketing, and customer service experience to the team. Prior to joining Pals, Lea worked as HR Manager for a retail operation, where she developed and implemented the Company’s HR infrastructure, employee handbook, onboarding procedures, employee development, and incident reporting policies. Additionally, Lea served as a HR Specialist for a major big box retailer, and also has experience in media and education. Lea holds a Bachelors in Business Administration and MBA from Mount Saint Mary’s University.
LETICIA PEREZ
Payroll Specialist
Lety brings over 7 years of payroll processing experience to the HR Pals team. In her most recent role, Lety processed payroll for over 500 employees while providing her clients with courteous and prompt payroll support. She has experience in a variety of industries, including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and the food industry. She enjoys being challenged and has an eye for analysis. Lety earned a Bachelors in Health Care Administration with a Minor in Human Resources Management from California State University, Long Beach.
LUCY SANCHEZ
Human Resources Generalist
As a bilingual HR Generalist, Lucy brings 10+ years of experience to the Pals team, including benefits and payroll administration, leaves of absences, new hire onboarding, and training. Prior to joining Pals, Lucy worked in HR for a major promotional items company. Her earlier career experience includes HR and Payroll experience in the healthcare, financial services, and food industries where she developed elite organizational skills and a strong customer focus. Lucy holds her Bachelors in HR Management from Cal State University, Los Angeles.
MARIANA LIEURANCE
Human Resources Generalist
Mariana joined HR Pals as a creative, meticulous, and energetic bilingual HR Generalist. Prior to joining the team, Mariana worked in the construction industry as an Human Resources Administrator where she provided ongoing HR support to over 1,000 employees. Mariana’s experience includes new hire onboarding, employee benefits, safety training, payroll and HR administration, and 401K enrollment assistance. Mariana holds a Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University.
MATT CALLIS
Human Resources Director
Matt is an experienced HR Leader with a decade of experience in a variety of industries including outsourcing, hospitality, tourism, and non-profit. With a passion for people, Matt has spent much of his career focused in employee relations and engagement, as well as leadership development. In addition, Matt has a strong background in compensation, benefits, leaves of absence, and compliance. Matt holds a Bachelors in Business Management focused in HR from Virginia Tech and has been a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) since 2016.
MICHELLE KENNEDY
Recruiter
Michelle has 7+ years of recruiting experience in various fields, including IT, Finance, Sales and Customer Service for major clients such as Wells Fargo, Purina, and World Wide Technology. She has led many large hiring projects, including building out entire teams, while maintaining healthy client and candidate relationships. In addition to her recruiting experience, she has assisted with resume writing and career coaching throughout her career. Michelle holds a Bachelors in Communications and Public Relations from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
MORGAN VIS
Human Resources Coordinator
Morgan brings 5+ years of customer service, sales, and leadership experience to the Pals team. Most recently, she worked in the event industry as an Event Specialist where she developed her passion for helping others. Her previous work experience has led her to the HR industry and has helped enhance her attention to detail, ability to multitask, and enthusiasm to learn. Morgan earned her Bachelors in Business Administration from Colorado Christian University.
NAN SEIULI
Recruiter
Nan brings both staffing and in-house recruiting experience to the HR Pals Team. She has experience sourcing for a wide variety of positions including HR, sales, marketing, finance, safety, data analytics, and more. She prides herself in building relationships with clients to cultivate trust, understand needs, and deliver results while making meaningful connections with candidates along the way. She has a Bachelors in Psychology from Brigham Young University and is certified in Organizational Development.
PATRICIA SHIH
Senior Human Resources Generalist & Recruiter
Patricia joined the Company in 2018 and serves as a Senior HR Generalist. Patricia brings a diverse background to Pals, including several years as a news editor for network TV, a language instructor, and a sales consultant. These experiences have helped her develop strong client management, communication, and analytical skills which serve her well in both HR and recruiting. Patricia holds a BA in Communications from UMass Amherst, and a Masters in Media Studies from the University of Sussex in the UK.
RAVEENA BHAKTA
Human Resources Manager
Raveena is a trilingual HR Manager with a strong professional and educational background. Prior to joining Pals, Raveena wore multiple hats, including HR Manager, in the Hospitality industry and has payroll experience working for a large human capital management firm. Her current functions include employee relations, compliance, benefits, and employee engagement. Raveena holds a Bachelors in Business Administration-Finance and a Masters in Business Administration from Cal State University at Bakersfield.
REILLY HITE
Human Resources Generalist
Reilly brings several years of experience in customer service, sales, and leadership positions to the Pals team. Most recently, she worked in the insurance industry in sales and account management, where she interacted with over 100 customers a day. Prior to that, Reilly served in a supervisory position at a sports and recreation business, where she developed subject matter expertise in customer service, employee training, performance management, and team development. Reilly holds a Bachelors of Science in Political Science from Northern Arizona University.
SARAH KNIGHT
Human Resources Manager
Sarah brings several years of Human Resource and customer service experience to the Pals team. Prior to joining the team, Sarah was the HR Manager for a manufacturing company where she led the HR function including the development of policies and procedures, improvement of employee retention practices, management of payroll, and oversight of HR Operations. Sarah also has expertise in leadership development and employee relations. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s in HR Management from Colorado State University Global.
SARIAH BIGELOW
Payroll Specialist
Sariah brings 4+ years of hands-on payroll experience to the Pals team. Most recently she worked as the Senior Payroll Specialist for a private equity firm with clients across various sectors of the restaurant industry, providing services that included: full service cross functional payroll, year end reporting, auditing, garnishments, benefit enrollment, and mastery of her clients’ HRIS stack. Her prior work experience has enabled Sariah to develop excellent attention to detail, a proactive communication philosophy, and outstanding problem solving skills.
STEFANIE JARAMILLO
Human Resources Manager
Stefanie is a resourceful HR professional with 7+ years of work experience in Human Resources and Management. She has expertise across the HR spectrum including recruiting & selection, employee relations, workers’ comp, leave of absences, and training across multiple industries. Most recently, Stefanie worked as a Senior HR Business Partner in the financial services industry. She earned her Bachelors in Management and HR as well as her MBA from Cal Poly University, Pomona. Additionally, she holds both her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and PHR – California (PHR-Ca) certifications.
SUZANNE PARTEE
Recruiter
Suzanne brings over 10 years of recruiting experience to the HR Pals team. Before joining Pals, she performed high volume recruiting and sourcing for retail and merchandising, as well as full cycle recruiting for technology and manufacturing. Prior to her recruiting career, Suzanne worked in banking, social work, and retail where she developed flexibility, patience, and adaptability. Suzanne holds a Bachelors in Psychology and Dance from the University of Akron.
TANNOR JOHNSTON
Human Resources Generalist
Prior to joining HR Pals, Tannor spent 2+ years in recruitment, sales, administration, and customer service. Most recently, Tannor worked for a retail organization, where she enhanced and executed onboarding, employee development, policy implementation, and documentation processes. Her previous work experience has helped to amplify her strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and creative problem solving. Tannor holds a Bachelors in Business Administration, concentrating in HR Management, from California State University, Fullerton.
VANESSA MOYA
Human Resources Generalist
Vanessa Moya joined the HR Pals family in 2021 and serves as an Human Resources Generalist. Before joining the team, Vanessa worked in the Construction industry as a HR and Payroll Administrator, where she her passion for human resources sparked. In her position as HR Coordinator, she leverages her strong detail orientation and communication skills in the delivery of new hire onboarding, benefits, and HR administration for her clients. Vanessa earned her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of California Riverside.
Industries Served
