Board of Directors

JC CARRION
President

  • JC Carrion has over 25 years of experience in the recruitment industry and has partnered with leading organizations across a wide range of industries, including life sciences, financial technology, consumer goods, and autonomous driving. In 2021  he founded myTOD LLC.   myTOD is fulfilling a commitment made 33 years ago after his first experience with a recruiting agency where he struggled to get traditional recruiters to see his true talent. He felt the frustration of being placed in unsuitable roles and swore the same experience wouldn’t happen to others.

    The model at myTOD is built on values that come straight from the heart, forged through real-life experiences, and fueled by a passion for disrupting the world of talent acquisition. It is also built on the promise to pay back for the mentorship and support he received throughout his career as a young professional. myTOD is committed to nurturing the talent of 1,000 disadvantaged teenagers by 2025, offering support in: Skills assessments, education, training, and mentorship.

    JC graduated from the University of California, Irvine, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences.

MONICA PLEASANT
Past-President

  • Monica is the past NHRA President for the Orange County affiliate and is an active member in the business community.  Monica Pleasant has served in various leadership roles on the Board of Directors of NHRA Orange County since 2015. She was also recognized as a NHRA Rising Star Academy honoree in 2015 and paid it forward by co-chairing the program over the past few years.

    Monica has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and working in a variety of industries. She is the Director of Human Resources at Medtronic where she oversees the execution of the global talent strategy for one of the many business units. She is passionate about developing talent to reach their full potential and partnering with leaders to successfully achieve business goals.

    She enjoys leading continuous improvement initiatives that remove obstacles, increase quality, enhance the employee experience, and add value to the company.

    Monica earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from Loyola Marymount University. She obtained a certification in Human Resources Management from Loyola Marymount University. In addition, she earned a Green Belt certification and is known for her continuous improvement perspective. 

AARON ROAF
Programs Chair

  • Aaron Roaf is the Director of Marketing at Artemis, a specialized Executive Search and Recruitment firm challenging the status quo in the staffing industry. Aaron is responsible for leading all marketing operations and crafting strategic initiatives to elevate his organization's market presence.

     With a decade of experience, Aaron has not only built and led marketing departments but has also established himself as a growth hacker and consultant for startups, specializing in brand development and marketing automation. In a previous role at PrimaHealth Credit, he played a pivotal role in establishing product-market fit,

    rapidly scaling growth, and propelling the FinTech startup from pre-seed to Series B. His acute understanding of the symbiotic relationship between brand development and profitable growth positions him as an established leader in scaling successful marketing and sales programs.

     Aaron studied at Whitworth University, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing. Currently residing in Ladera Ranch, CA, with his wife Hannah, Aaron is not just a marketing buff but also a wine enthusiast at heart, an avid outdoorsman, and a dedicated volunteer for both his church and favorite charity, Miracles for Kids.

SYDNEY ROSS
Membership & Volunteer Management Co-chair

  • Sydney Ross is a Vice President, Employee Benefits with Burnham Benefits, a full-service employee benefits consulting firm. Sydney is responsible for overall leadership, growth, and strategic planning on all her client accounts. She fosters authentic relationships with her clients and views the bond as a true partnership, working closely to develop their health and welfare strategy. She has also served the HR Community through her previous role as the Programs Chair for the PIHRA South Orange County chapter.

    Sydney began her career with Burnham Benefits in 2013, where she is considered a leader for her clients by delivering health care solutions that increase employee education, engagement, and retention. She is a known advocate for her clients, by managing their health and welfare spend to ensure efficient and effective use.

    Sydney prides herself on her relationships - cultivating an environment where her team, partners, and clients can thrive, operate at an optimal level, and maintain a high-quality benefits portfolio. She is devoted to serving the Human Resources and Business Community by creating deeper connections and a sense of community while increasing professional development for all NHRA members.

    Sydney was a Division 1 athlete at the University of California, Irvine where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She currently resides in Dana Point, with her husband Matthew and their Labradoodle, Leo. Sydney enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, spending time outdoors, and anything ocean-related.

RITA DETIOS
Membership & Volunteer Management Co-Chair

  • Rita Deitos is Founder and President of Deitos HR Network, a full HR referral/consulting firm. She has successfully served the HR community in Orange County for the last 30 years by connecting top companies to valuable resources to solve various HR challenges. Her services span across all HR facets including staffing, training, outplacement, coaching and benefits. She has supported clients of all industries and sizes throughout the country, by leveraging her trusted network to help facilitate solutions and connect her clients to best in class resources. She prides herself on her long-term relationships throughout the HR community, with many becoming her close friends. She has always believed in putting the needs of her clients first and foremost.

    In the latter part of her career, she was appointed as the Vice President of Sales, at PowerConnections Career Services, a well-respected outplacement/ coaching firm where she specialized in expanding the firm's clientele.

    Rita has served the HR community through her previous role as the Career Services chair for PIHRA South Orange County as well as serving the NHRA community for 8 years as a committee member for the NHRA Human Resources Executive of the Year event. In addition to serving as a committee member, she was heavily involved with the coordination of volunteers for various NHRA events. 

    Between making valuable connections, Rita loves traveling, spending time with her husband, Roger and two adult children, Stefan and Gabie - as well as her two Siamese cats - Jeter and Louie! She loves to stay active by E-biking, Pilates and playing pickleball. When she is off the pickleball court, one of her favorite pastimes is discovering fabulous new restaurants with friends. Rita is involved with the Illumination Foundation and is passionate about giving back to her community.

THOAI HA
Executive Engagement Co-Chair

  • Thoai Ha currently services as Chief Human Resources Officer for DPI Specialty Foods. She is a global oriented professional, with 20+ years building and leading business-centric Human Resources departments, both in public and private entrepreneurial companies. Her experiences are in a variety of industries including retail/consumer electronics, design/architectural professional services, engineering, software, Internet, biotech, corporate travel services, automotive, food service and wholesale distribution. This diversity of experiences leverages her ability to bring innovative ideas to resolve challenges. Both broadly and tactically focused, her attention is split equally between goal attainment and quality assurance – getting it done – and making sure it is done absolutely right.

    Ms. Ha holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Social Behavior. She has a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. 

    As part of giving back to the community, Ms. Ha is a mentor for the School of Social Ecology Mentor Program at University of California, Irvine (UCI), a member of the Board of Directors of the local Orange County Chapter of National Human Resources Association (NHRA), and on the HR Advisory Council for nonprofit Working Wardrobes.

HEATHER BISCHOFF
Executive Engagement Co-Chair

  • Heather Bischoff, Fractional CHRO at Upskill Consulting LLC has been an active member of NHRA-OC for 3 years, contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to the organization. Most recently, she serves as co-chair with the HR Executive Hackathon event and previously served on multiple committees for the 2024 Executives of the Year Gala. Additionally, Heather is dedicated to giving back, mentoring a protégé in the Mentor Program.

    Heather's career began in case management, where she discovered her passion for guiding people to achieve their goals. This passion naturally led her to her first position in human resources in 2013, where she quickly rose to a leadership role with direct reports throughout the U.S.

    Throughout her career journey, Heather has worked with nonprofit organizations, corporate entities, and private sector employers in the service industries. Her extensive experience includes serving as a solo practitioner and leading large HR teams. Heather finds the most fulfillment in teaching middle management how to utilize their skills to become exceptional leaders, ultimately driving positive outcomes for companies. She has founded several of her own businesses and is deeply passionate about empowering organizations and nurturing talent.

    In addition to her professional accomplishments, Heather has served on boards for both senior care and youth programs. In 2016, she was invited to speak at TEDx Normal in Normal, IL, where she delivered a compelling presentation titled “How Asking the Right Question Can Change Your Life.”

    Heather exemplifies leadership, dedication, and a commitment to empowering others, making her an invaluable asset to Upskill Consulting LLC and the broader professional community.

KEVIN SHEARER
Rising Star Co-Chair & Social Chair

  • Kevin Shearer is the current Rising Star Co-Chair & Social Chair for the NHRA Orange County Affiliate.  Kevin is an OC native bringing over 14 years of experience in the recruiting industry.  Before beginning his career at Kimco Staffing, you might have found him surfing the coastlines of Southern California, snowboarding the Sierra Nevadas, or playing soccer competitively up in Santa Barbara, CA where he received his BS in Business Economics from UCSB.

    As Kevin’s expertise grew, he honed his passion for connecting people and helping others, which coupled with his high level of work ethic made him a standout leader in a competitive market. During his 8.5 years at KORE1, Kevin led and grew their Orange County Branch as the Managing Partner, where he played a vital role in developing high-performing teams, building training programs and expanding their client base in Southern CA.

    Kevin prides himself on being an active community member, dedicated to giving back to those less fortunate. This passion quickly became Kevin’s mission and led him to his current position as President at myTOD, where he can combine his expertise and life’s greater purpose to disrupt the staffing and recruiting industries while supporting underprivileged teenagers and young adults in his own backyard.

    Today, Kevin is married to a loving wife who share a beautiful daughter together in Costa Mesa where they reside. When he’s not doing great work as a leader or as a father, you can find Kevin playing a plethora of sports (golf or pickleball anyone?), growing his knowledge of nutrition and performance, travelling the world, or setting up a tent for a weekend camping adventure.

    Drop Kevin a note for coffee or a foodie adventure, and let’s get to know each other!

KRYSTA VILLAGRAN
Rising Star Co-Chair

  • Krysta Villagran is a Senior Leader in HR and most recently SVP, Head of HR at Nano Banc.  Prior to joining Nano Banc she was with Banc of California in a variety of roles with her most recent being the  SVP, HR Business Partner. Krysta has worked in all facets of HR and truly has a passion for the strategic relationships she builds across all functions. Krysta has been at Banc of California for the past 7 years and has overseen Talent Acquisition and Talent Programs as well as Benefits and Operations.

    She started her career in a Management Development program with MBNA, Bank of America. This allowed her to gain a strong understanding of the financial services and overall business groups. As a participant in this program, she began to carve out her career in Human Resources as a Recruiting Manager with a focus on campus relations.

    Prior to joining the bank, Krysta worked at Argent Mortgage, Thales Avionics and spent 7 years at Experian in Talent Acquisition where she worked with Executives to develop and manage the MBA Leadership Rotation Program and the Finance Rotation Program. One of Krysta’s key strengths is her ability to build strong relationships and trust amongst those she supports. Early in her career she learned that if she took time to understand the businesses she supported she would be a more strategic partner.  This has served her well as it has allowed her to become a trusted advisor. 

    Krysta was part of the Rising Star Academy in 2020 for NHRA OC. The program was a growth experience for her in her career and she is looking forward to giving back to the HR Community by participating as a board member. 

    Krysta holds a BA degree in Communication and Journalism from Cleveland State University.

DANIEL LEO
Mentorship Chair

  • In addition to serving as the current Mentorship Chair on the Board of the National Human Resources Association, Orange County, Daniel is the practice leader at Continuum Consulting Group for Retirement Plan Services.

    Daniel, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL Above all, Daniel enjoys cultivating lifelong relationships with his clients and plan participants. He strives to always act with expertise, ethical integrity, professionalism, and truly enjoys helping organizations and their employees define and meet their personal and financial goals. 

    In his spare time, Daniel spends his time playing piano, traveling, and camping.PLANNER™, provides retirement plan consulting for small and mid-sized companies.  He specializes in fiduciary risk management for plan sponsors, consulting on strategic plan design, and developing education campaigns to increase the retirement readiness of employees.  Daniel enjoys helping plan sponsors navigate the complex rules and regulations of the 401k industry so that they can focus on their core business.

TORRIE PLATA
2025 HR Executives of the Year Chair

  • Torrie Plata is the Head of Human Resources Business Partners for Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, which develops therapies for patients with endocrine diseases. She has a passion for serving as a trusted advisor to her business client groups through delivering people and organizational solutions that are aligned to optimizing business priorities by providing proactive and robust change management practices and strategic guidance for the company’s growth including building out late-stage development and commercialization capabilities. Torrie enjoys leading people and culture initiatives and connecting talent to their reach their fullest potential in achieving successful business outcomes; she has held senior HR leadership roles with some of the county’s most prominent employers across multiple industries.

    Sharing her HR experience spanning a career of over 25 years, she has been an active member volunteer with the NHRA Orange County since 2002, supporting the Executive of the Year event for numerous years. Torrie holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside and a Master of Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She also earned her certification as a Strategic HR Business Partner (sHRBP) from the Human Capital Institute.

    Torrie resides in south Orange County with her husband Ed and are “empty-nesting-in-training” with their 3 college-aged sons. She enjoys spending time with their dogs, family and friends, traveling, trying new gastronomical delights, and basking in the OC sunshine swimming, hiking, paddle boarding, and playing pickle ball.

MATT WATSON
Social Chair

  • Matt Watson serves as a Lead Consultant at Arthur J. Gallagher, a global leader in insurance consulting founded in 1927. In his role, Matt supports clients with various aspects of their benefits programs, working to provide practical and effective solutions tailored to their needs.

    Matt’s focus is on delivering thoughtful and client-centered advice, drawing on his rather unique experience and Gallagher’s extensive resources to help clients navigate the complexities of benefits management. His approach is grounded in collaboration and understanding, ensuring that clients receive the support they need to make informed decisions.

    Outside of work, Matt values his time with his family. He and his wife, Ryan, are raising four active boys, which can, at times, make any benefits renewal negotiation feel like a walk in the park.

SARAH CHINTAWAT
Finance & Data Analytics Chair

  • Sarah is an accomplished futurist and HR executive. With over 20 years of diverse experience drawn from her unique background and reflected in her global perspective and out-of-the-box approach to people-centric programs, Sarah has worked with her colleagues to develop business process optimization initiatives and strategic people-focused programs.

    Sarah currently works at Agile as Chief People Officer and previously served as the Vice President of Human Resources for Profit Recovery Partners, a management consulting firm focused on cost reduction solutions for Fortune 1000 firms. Prior to PRP, she led both the Human Resource Strategic Initiatives and Advertising Revenue Generation Groups for Panasonic Avionics Corporation, where she leveraged data to create human capital programs and drive revenue growth.

     Sarah’s expertise lies in diagnosing human capital dysfunction and translating business needs into dynamic talent imperatives. She has implemented programmatic talent solutions across numerous industries, including engineering, financial services, management consulting, and technology. Known for her probing questions and innovative mindset, she consistently seeks better, faster, and simpler ways to solve problems – an approach that has served her well in both large multinational organizations and small startups. 

     Sarah holds an MBA from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Chico. Sarah, her husband, and two children spend their weekends watching soccer and planning their next adventure. 

LESLIE LEGUERN
University Relations Chair

  • Leslie LeGuern, Organizational Development & Career Strategist at MemorialCare, has over 12 years of Human Resources experience and currently responsible for designing and developing the career development strategy for the MemorialCare Health System which is comprised of over 11,000 employees. 

     Leslie has a strong passion for Organizational Development and enabling leaders to impact their teams and organizations in a thoughtful way. During Leslie’s time with MemorialCare she has worked her way up in Human Resources and assisted the organization with high-level initiatives.

    In 2021 Leslie was named a NHRA Rising Star and a Sunflower Leader at MemorialCare. Leslie received a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis on Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from California State University Long Beach. Leslie loves spending time with her friends and family, other hobbies include reading, golfing, and working out at her and her husband’s gym.

LAVASHA CAIN-LOBBINS
Business Excellence Chair

  • LaVasha Cain-Lobbins, MEd., PMP, sHRBP, CPC, has been building strong teams, championing programs and consulting for more than 18 years in higher education, healthcare, medical device, and nonprofit organizations.  As Founder/ Leadership Passionato of Own You Leadership, LLC., she is recognized for her skills in transparent communication that help emerging executives gain a 360 view of their self-awareness insights that brings transformational change, as well as to partner with organizations to build a strong pipeline of diverse, “succession-plan ready” leaders. A dynamic and driven leader, LaVasha has demonstrated expertise in developing executive leadership, leading growth strategies to improve people and processes, and igniting measurable business outcomes.

    LaVasha is particularly skilled in working with emerging executives to help them achieve that critical next step in their careers. Her extensive executive and leadership development repertoire includes programs to prepare and coach under-represented leaders and emerging executives of color for roles of increasing addition to developing leaders, LaVasha has been an adjunct instructor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), since 2014.

    There she provides instruction in program management to global professionals and led the development of content for the university’s first online course for risk management in event planning. She also was featured in the UCI’s Division of Continuing Education Magazine.

    LaVasha has a master’s degree in education and human resources development from the University of Minnesota, and a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from the University of Central Florida. Her extensive coaching and leadership development experience is supplemented by numerous talent assessments and professional certifications, including project management, Strategic Human Resource Business Partner, and Certified Professional Coach to translate the knowledge into tangible action plans and outcomes.