2023 - 2024 Board of Directors |
| Sheila Esparza | President Sheila Esparza is a Human Resources Officer with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) where she serves the Agency in Training and Development, Performance Management, and Employee Engagement focused on providing an engaging employee experience for the Agency team. Before joining IEUA, she served as a Human Resources Analyst with the Port of Long Beach where she provided service in Talent Acquisition, Training and Development, Performance Management, and Succession Planning. She holds a Master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She previously served as a Director at Large and Student Affiliate for SCPMA where she brought back the Developing Competency for HR Success Training to the Chapter and the Train-the-Trainer Workshop. |
| Cynthia Stafford | President-Elect Cynthia Stafford has worked in the field of human resources for over 30 years. She was most recently the Director of Human Resources & Risk Management for the City of Lynwood, where she oversaw a staff involved in recruitment and selection, benefit administration, classification and compensation, EEO, training, labor and employee relations and risk management, including workers’ compensation, general liability, and contract risk transfer. After leaving Lynwood, Cyndi formed Stafford HR Consulting and works with public sector agencies on a variety of HR projects. Before joining the Lynwood team, Cyndi worked for the City of Long Beach as the Deputy Director of Human Resources overseeing the benefits, training, EEO, classification and compensation, and employee relations functions. Before joining Long Beach, Cynthia worked for the City of Los Angeles in various human resources positions for LAPD, General Services, City Clerk and Sanitation departments. Cyndi holds dual Bachelor Degrees from the University of Southern California in Political Science and International Relations and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. As a life-long HR professional, Cyndi was one of the first in the country to achieve her Certification of IPMA-CE (Certified Executive) through the International Public Management Association for Human Resources. With Cyndi’s extensive human resources experiences, she is frequently asked to speak and presents at conferences on a regular basis. Cyndi truly enjoys mentoring new female professionals in the workplace. Married for over 25 years, Cyndi has two teenagers who keep her personal time very busy. |
| Sareen Baghikian | VP Programs Sareen Baghikian is currently an HR Analyst in the Employment Services Section at LA County Sanitation Districts. She has experience with classification, compensation, recruitment and selection, benefits administration, workers' compensation, training, and employee relations. She received her bachelor’s in Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish from UCLA and her Masters in Business Administration from USC’s Marshall School of Business and began to work in Talent Acquisition, recruiting and managing talent for her organization. She holds a professional Human Resources Certification (SHRM-CP) from SHRM. |
| Noel Barajas | VP Membership Noel is currently the Human Resources Manager for the City of Cudahy. Prior to working for the City of Cudahy, he was the Senior Human Resources Analyst for the City of Bell for several years. Noel has almost a decade of Human Resources experience, and overall has almost 20 years of government experience both on the State Government level (with the California State Senate) and Local government level (with the cities of Los Angeles, Bell and Cudahy). Noel holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, San Diego and is certified as IPMA-SCP. |
Karen Monzon | Secretary Presently, Karen Monzon is the Personnel Analyst for Santa Monica College’s Personnel Commission. She has expert knowledge in principles and practices of human resources administration including job analysis, position classification, compensation, recruitment, selection, employment discrimination, equal opportunity and pertinent federal and state law. For the last two years, she has actively served on the Board for SCPMA-HR as the Secretary. In this role, Karen serves the Board by coordinating the board meetings, setting up the agenda, and taking minutes. She supported the Western Region Conference last year and is an active member of the planning committee for this year’s conference. Karen also serves as Secretary for the Hollywood Recreation Center with LA Parks & Recreation as well as Secretary for the Parent Board for her daughter’s school. Karen has a strong desire to continue to develop and expand her professional networks and to be of public service. She is professional, engaging and excited to continue in this important role for SCPMA-HR and make an impact on the future of the Board and HR community. |
| Russ Quan | Treasurer Russ has been in the field of Human Resources and recruitment for over 16 years. He is currently a Senior Human Resources Analyst at the City of Glendale. Russ has also worked at the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. Russ earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He holds a professional Human Resources Certification (IPMA-SCP) from IPMA-HR. |
Shiann Todd | Communications Director Shiann has served in a number of positions with the City of Los Angeles since 2015, starting as a part-time exempt employee. She began her HR career in 2019 as a Personnel Analyst in Selection where she was primarily responsible for the research and development of civil service examinations and the establishment of eligible lists. There, Shiann became interested in the inner workings of the systems used City-wide to meet civilian hiring needs. Since 2021, Shiann has provided HR liaison services to the LA Sanitation and Environment Department. Her work includes a wide range of HR functions such as: staffing and selection processes which includes coordinating interviews, reviewing selection packages and position control. She is also the Discipline Coordinator responsible for preparing pre-disciplinary reports and memos. In addition to her work experience, Shiann holds a Master's degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University, and a BA from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Shiann Todd is a dedicated Human Resources professional that strives to understand and innovate. She is passionate about people and believes that communication is the key to success and welcomes the opportunity to impart that passion to connecting the members of PSHRA – Southern California. |
| Harvie Kaur | Director –At –Large Harvie Kaur currently sits on the SCPMA-HR Board as the VP of Programs and is seeking a new role. Harvie will make an excellent Director of Large in that she has a passion for giving back to the profession of human resources and has shown her commitment to SCPMA-HR in the past year as VP of Programs. Harvie looks to continue to grow in her profession and grow her network through SCPMA-HR. Harvie is currently a Human Resources Specialist with the City of Los Angeles and previously she worked with the Port of Long Beach as an HR Business Partner. Harvie has over 12 years of human resources experience from the private and public sectors that started with a training position, and lead to several different areas of recruitment & selection, onboarding/off boarding, compensation and benefits, employee relations including a background in operations. |
Janeshia Robinson | Director –At –Large Currently assigned to Employee Relations at Los Angeles World Airports, Janeshia has worked a variety of assignments during her 23 years as a Human Resources professional in the public sector. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Law and Organization from Georgetown University and is a Senior Certified member of IPMA-HR. Janeshia takes pride in having had the opportunity to help create solutions that improved and/or transformed processes and procedures for the better. Throughout her career, Janeshia has always been a driver for increasing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in homogenous spaces, especially those that impact the most basic needs and well-being of human beings. Janeshia truly believes that Human Resources Services are the bloodstream of an organization… We attract, orient, acclimate, guide and support people through decisions that impact their daily lives. One of her favorite sayings being, “No problems, only solutions,” Janeshia takes pride in being a reliable resource, innovator and solution finder. Before coming to the Los Angeles World Airports, she provided analytical and administrative support and direction for the Los Angeles City Police and Fire Departments, Animal Services, and Public Works. She remains active in several employee organizations aimed at development and strategic planning and actively pursues opportunities to learn, grow and help others |
Sheryl Montgomery | Director –At –Large Sheryl Montgomery has leveraged over 30 years of local government experience in the areas of Public Works, Finance, Community Development, Police and Fire into a reputation for expertise, professionalism and collaborative management. Currently the Administrative Services Manager for Anaheim Fire & Rescue, Sheryl partners with Human Resources in the areas of Recruitment, Organizational Development, and Labor Relations. She holds the IPMA-SCP certification and, as a Board member since 2014, has provided the SCPMA Board with the unique perspective of an operating department Business Partner with credentials as a Human Resources professional. |
| Cindy Rosales | Director –At –Large Cindy is currently the Senior Human Resources Analyst for the City of Santa Fe Springs. Cindy comes with over 20 years of local government experience with extensive experience in the areas of recruitment and selection, benefit administration, workers' compensation, risk management, training and development, and employer relations. Before joining the City of Santa Fe Springs, Cindy worked for the City of Downey and City of Vernon. Cindy earned a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration: Administrative Management from California State University Dominguez Hills. |
| Sandy Witz | Immediate Past-President Sandy Witz is the Director of Human Resources for the Port of Long Beach. Her prior experience includes serving as Assistant Director of Human Resources for the Port of Long Beach and the Strategic Business Manager and Organizational Development and Training Manager for the City of Anaheim. Sandy earned her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and her Master's Degree is in Public Administration. Sandy has also worked as a Budget Analyst and as a Classification and Compensation Analyst in the City of Anaheim. She has many years of experience in the Organizational Development and Training field and is certified in a variety of Training Courses, Personality Assessments, and Coaching certificates. Sandy is a certified facilitator and has provided employees and departments consultation on employee development and performance issues, strategic planning and team buildings. |
