Theresa has provided Human Resources support for both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She began her Human Resources career with ARAMARK in the company’s Human Resources Representative program. During her time as a Human Resources Representative, Theresa worked with Human Resources leaders in the Sports and Entertainment business providing HR support and guidance during large scale events.

Theresa later accepted the role of Human Resources Coordinator for one of the top symphony orchestras in the world, the Philadelphia Orchestra, where she assisted both administrative staff and orchestra musicians in all areas of employment.

In 2012, Theresa joined St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, a leading pediatric facility in Philadelphia, as a Human Resources Generalist for. In this role, Theresa worked as an advocate for healthcare professionals and provided support in all areas of Human Resources. Theresa was a Six Sigma Lean Leader for St. Christopher’s and worked to implement process improvement initiatives throughout the hospital.

Theresa is a graduate of Temple University’s Fox School of Business and Management where she obtained her Bachelors of Business degree in Human Resources Management and her People First certification. She has been an active member of Philly SHRM since 2009 and has worked on the Programming, Emerging Leaders, Philly SHRM Symposium committees.

Theresa lives in Northeast Philadelphia with her husband Jason, son Jacob, and Labradoodle Duncan.

Before starting this HR practice, Jackie was the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for HR&Talent for the City of Philadelphia. In this role, she focused on improving the operation of City departments and agencies through strategic human resource activities such as training and development, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, recruiting, onboarding and process improvements through internal consulting engagements. Prior to joining the City of Philadelphia, she held executive level HR positions including the Chief Human Resource executive for Synagro, the Vice President of Organization and Leadership Development at ARAMARK Corp. and the Vice President of Human Resources at Intracorp, a subsidiary of CIGNA Corp.

Jackie is a firm believer in giving back to the community and she has demonstrated this in her volunteer work. She is the past president for Philly SHRM, the Philadelphia chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management and was nominated for the 2017 HR Person of the Year. She is also a project executive working closely with MBA students at the Fox School of Business at Temple University as they complete their capstone project. Her volunteer experience also includes membership on the board of Career Wardrobe, participation as a counselor for SCORE, a small business support organization and participation as a tutor for adult learners with the Lutheran House.

She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute, a Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP), a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Illinois.

Mr. McCarthy graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University School of Law-Camden in 2014 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Loyola University Maryland in 2011. While attending law school, Mr. McCarthy was an executive editor of the Rutgers Law Journal, was a Michael Young Scholar for his participation in the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, and served as a judicial intern to a United States Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Prior to joining Jackson Lewis as an associate, Mr. McCarthy was a Summer Associate in the firm’s Morristown, New Jersey office, and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph L. Yannotti, N.J. Superior Court – Appellate Division. Mr. McCarthy is currently admitted to practice law in the state courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the District of New Jersey.

Ryan is a Philadelphia native and former all-public basketball player. Ryan carries the same ethics of hard work, integrity, and zeal learned on the basketball court to his business. Ryan has obtained several production awards including, District Leaders’ Corps. He continues to refine his processes and update his planning knowledge to achieve the highest level of service.

Ryan attended Clarion University of PA to earn his Bachelor Degree in Finance. He currently resides in Willow Grove, PA with his wife Michelle and their two children, Ryan Jr. (6) and Mirya (10).

Dr. Vazquez is the recipient of the 2015 Delaware Valley HR Person of the Year for Medium-sized companies. She holds a Doctorate in Education from Gwynedd Mercy University.  Her research and dissertation focused on the preparation and education of future HR professionals. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Saint Joseph’s University. She has been SPHR certified since 2006 and SHRM-SCP certified since 2015.

Dr. Vazquez has been a member of Philadelphia SHRM since 2006 and currently serves as Executive VP of Strategic Initiatives on the Board. Previous Board roles include VP of Day Programming 2017 – 2021 and Co-Director of Symposium Programming from 2014 – 2017.  In partnership with the Emerging Leaders Committee, she also helped launch and implement the HR Development Series from 2009 to 2012. The series provided valuable career information for current, aspiring, and in transition HR professionals who wanted to establish a definitive plan for progression within the field relative to their interests and goals.

An avid runner, Joanna recently finished her 10th Broad Street Run 10-Miler for Team CCTC and second Half-Marathon.  She is currently training for her next half-marathon and Spartan Race.

Catherine is currently a Sr. People Solutions Manager with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, one of the top full-service accounting and advisory firms in North America.  Serving as part of the Talent Management Business Partner team, she is the main point of contact for the leaders of the Pennsylvania Business Unit. In her role, she helps support leadership with the execution of their people strategy and advises on various people related matters including employee relations, performance management, compensation and compliance.

Prior to joining Baker Tilly, she held increasingly responsible roles in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Touching on everything HR and Talent related from recruitment and talent acquisition, project management, employee relations, training, to immigration.

Maria Downs is a Human Resource Project Manager at the Vanguard Group. She manages various projects within the organization that include both operational and strategic initiatives for performance management, workforce planning, payroll and leadership development departments within the organization.

She began her career at Vanguard after graduating from Saint Joseph’s University in June 2000. She has had experience in various areas, first as a client service associate for a department specializing in small business retirement plans. She then transitioned to various leadership roles as well as those focused on process improvements through data and process analysis.

Maria became interested in Human Resources while obtaining her Master’s degree. Her career in HR began as a supervisor leading the Data and Reporting team. As a result of her strong project management, she led a project looking to redesign the current reporting tools and develop the strategy for human resource reporting.

Maria has received her Master’s in Business Administration from St. Joseph’s University. She also has her SPHR, SHRM-SCP and recently obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. She enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan and two daughters Allison and Liliana. In her free time, she enjoys running and exercising.

With over 20 years of experience, Dawn leverages the insights she gains through working with ownership, management, and employees to help shape the strategic direction of the organization. Her blend of experience with business management and employee relations gives her a unique perspective that she brings to our firm’s leadership team.

In this role, her exemplary strategic planning and natural interpersonal and communication skills were an asset to dozens of clients and students with professional development needs. Kena is an alumna of Penn State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Business Administration. She resides in Philadelphia with her husband and two children.

She currently works as a HR Business Partner for Merck & Co in the Merck Research Laboratories division, where she serves as a strategic people partner for her clients in the Global Regulatory and Clinical Safety space. LaRhonda focuses on partnering with senior leaders to build and sustain high quality talent through talent acquisition and retention, talent management, career development, diversity and inclusion, and organizational development strategies. Before joining Merck’s HR team, LaRhonda worked in the Higher Education, Retail, Industrial Manufacturing and Behavioral Health industries. In addition to her daytime profession LaRhonda is an Adjunct Professor at Temple and Drexel University; as well as a wife, mother and phenomenal baker, she enjoys creating treats for her family and friends during the holiday seasons and beyond.

Ragine is passionate about embedding new perspectives of Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. She is a graduate of La Salle University, with a Master’s Degree in Human Capital Development. Ragine attended Penn State University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Labor and Employment Relations. Ragine was a finalist in the Rising Star Award for the 2021 HR Person of the Year award ceremony. As a Human Resources Professional, her goal is to put the Human back into Human Resources, making sure that every employee feels valued and appreciated. Ragine is dedicated to making the workplace an equal and safe environment for all employees—expanding her reach. Ragine is continuously thinking of new and innovative ways to embed Diversity and Inclusion into everything that she does! She teaches Strategic Human Resource Management as an Adjunct Professor at Drexel University. Ragine is also a volunteer with various nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia area. She is a current and active member of Society for Human Resource Management Philadelphia Chapter. Ragine is a lifelong learner who enjoys exploring the world.

Prior to this position, Brisilda worked as the Associate Director of the Human Resource Management Department (HRM) at Fox School of Business, Temple University. In this role, Brisilda oversaw all the operational facets of the department. She worked closely with the Chair to help the department attract, retain, and develop HR student talent. She also directed the SHRM Certification Prep Program at Temple University. Brisilda is an expert in event planning management with a proven track record of planning some of the most unique events for the HRM department.

Brisilda has worked as the Coordinator of the Office of International Affairs, Temple University, planning and executing orientation for 700+ international students who joined temple University each academic year.

Before that, she worked as In Flight Service Manager for the Bahrain Royal Air Force. Brisilda trained junior cabin crew in VVIP service, as well as, emergency evacuation. She has worked in the aviation industry for twelve years before moving into higher education.

Brisilda was born and raised in Albania. She moved to the U.S. in 2008. She obtained her bachelor’s in Tourism and Hospitality Management and Master’s in Higher Education Leadership both from Temple University.

Client industries have included Healthcare System, Municipal Economic Development, Military Contracting, Pharmaceutical Packaging, Manufacturing and various other diverse product and service organizations.

Dennis’ experience includes instructing, speaking, consulting, and coaching on new venture, product strategy and execution planning to a variety of domestic and international businesses, including non-profit organizations. In his early career for the Dutch conglomerate Philips, Dennis had responsibility for developing international strategies that were integral to a disruptive technology shift of the global computing marketplace.

Subsequently, he led and contributed to numerous international strategic marketing initiatives for a multibillion-dollar Japanese technology company in the planning and start-up of a new technology division, the turnaround of a maturing product division and a South American business unit, including the start-up of Mexico and Brazil subsidiaries.

Dennis has served in advisory capacities to the Pharmaceutical-Drug Exchange (PDE), the Manufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia and Peirce College in Philadelphia. He is a Board Director with the Economic Development Corp. of Gloucester Township, NJ, and with Philly-SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) as Vice President of Thought Leadership.

Dennis earned his MBA from the LeBow School of Business at Drexel University, and a BBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He received training at the Center for Creative Leadership in Boulder CO and INSEAD Business School in France for organization-management.

Dennis served in the United States Air Force Reserves for 11 years, and with a love for choral arts, has performed internationally with the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Men’s Choral, as well as the Greater South Jersey Chorus and Chamber Singers.

Her experience led her to be appointed to communications coordinator for the Philly Vets Home coalition, a community-wide, collaborative, and inclusive effort to end homelessness among Veterans in Philadelphia by Veterans Day 2015 and driven by an unprecedented collaboration between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, two City offices, the Housing Authority, and four non-profit organizations committed to ensuring the success of the campaign.

Debby is also a Leadership Philadelphia 2015 Fellow. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Psychology from New York University.

If given the opportunity to boast, she will definitely mention her most beloved pit bull, Kennedy.

Pamela has more than 15 years of experience assisting CFOs, CEOs and HR professionals in streamlining their employee benefits processes. As Client Development Specialist with Corporate Synergies, one of the Philadelphia-area’s largest employee benefits consultants, Pamela onboards new clients, anticipates HR needs and facilitates client communications. An excellent relationship builder, Pamela supports the account management team and ensures client satisfaction at every level.

Gretchen Wallace is the Director of Business Development at studio BE, a mindfulness company that provides employee well-being solutions. In Gretchen’s role, she works closely with clients to develop resources and strategies to meet the needs of present day work challenges. She brings over 15 years of experience in sales, business development and customer service. Gretchen lived in Philadelphia and the surrounding area for 15 years before relocating to Northeastern PA to be closer to family.

Prior to PHLY, Kim spent time as the Sr. Mgr. of HR/Talent Management at CTDI, a full-service, global engineering, repair and logistics company providing best-cost solutions to the communications industry.  Kim led the development and implementation of strategic talent acquisition campaigns and owned the evaluation of CTDI’s recruiting function, strategies, and procedures while building strong relationships in a rapidly and constantly evolving environment.

Prior to CTDI and for the majority of her career, Kim was an HR Manager in a Global Shared Services organization at The Vanguard Group, managing a multi-site team responsible for all domestic recruiting operations and HR sponsored events. Kim was with Vanguard for 20 years, spending time managing teams in Leadership Development and HR Data & Reporting and also managed the strategic development and implementation of Vanguard’s Performance Management program.

Kim has extensive people leadership, HR, and business knowledge coupled with creative ideas for designing and implementing new processes and training with a solid history of success. She has strong operational leadership and planning skills, combined with the ability to coordinate the efforts of many to meet organizational goals.

Kim has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Performance Management from Immaculata University and has served on the PSHRM Symposium planning committee since 2012.

Kim enjoys spending time with her husband Patrick, their two children Toni and Michael, and is a devoted “Drama & Swim Mom” spending her free time attending her daughter’s musical performances and her son’s swim meets.

Prior to joining Cozen O’Connor, Shakema gained a unique blend of experience in various areas such as legal, diversity and inclusion, risk management, HRIS, finance, procurement, training and development. Shakema holds a master of arts in industrial and organizational psychology and is working toward a doctorate in human and organizational behavior concentrating on organizational leadership. Shakema is a mission-driven individual who is passionate about organizational effectiveness, development, change management, collaboration and organizational behavior.

Charity is the Chief Talent Officer for Mastery Charter Schools, a nonprofit network of 24 public schools serving 14,500 students in Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ. She is also a certified coach (ACC), DEI practitioner, and HR consultant, who works with organizations and leaders in their quest to improve their leadership capability. Dr. Hughes has partnered with organizations to design and implement diversity strategies for large-scale sustainable transformation. As a woman of color (WOC), Dr. Hughes is acutely aware of the need for diverse leadership and inclusion across industries. On her journey to drive social justice and increase diversity, equity and inclusion, she is the co-lead for the Harvard Institute of Coaching (IOC) Race, Equity and Inclusion Council. She has received numerous awards and accolades including being recognized as one of the 2015 Most Powerful & Influential Woman by the Pennsylvania Diversity Council and being nominated for the Delaware Valley HR Person of the Year in 2012 and 2020. She is a force that continues to advance the HR profession and shed light on the impact of professional development.

Juliette started with F.A. Davis in 2012 as an HR Associate. She quickly grew her role within the company and was promoted to an HR Generalist in 2013 and in 2016 became a Human Resources Manager. In her current role Juliette has been a key contributor to growing the department and adding new systems to F.A. Davis. She successfully implemented the company’s first HRIS, was a strategic leader in the move to a self-insured medical plan, created and now leads the wellness program, and developed and provides upkeep on the company’s first compensation plan.

Juliette currently serves on the board of the Philadelphia Society of Human Resources Management (Philly SHRM), which is a Super-Mega chapter of SHRM National. Prior to being on the board Juliette volunteered for the Symposium Day Programming Committee and Pre-Conference Symposium Committee for three years as both a member and lead. In 2018 Juliette won the Delaware Valley HR Rising Star of the Year Award.

Before her shift into Human Resources, Juliette was a teacher for elementary age students.

Juliette lives in Philadelphia, enjoys cooking in the kitchen, being with her friends and family, and getting down to the shore as much as possible.

Prior to working for DOL, Ed spent 12 years with the PA Human Relations Commission (PHRC). Before leaving the PHRC, Ed was the Director of Compliance responsible for all dimensions of training and development of the staff and reporting monthly to the commissioners.

Dominic is actively involved in numerous charitable organizations, including Melmark. As a board member for the Schoemaker Classic, he leads fundraising efforts for Melmark, an organization with a focus on individuals with special needs. He also sits on committees for PSPS Bux-Mont and the Eastern Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter of CUPA, HR.  Dominic resides in Yardley, PA with his wife, Rachel, son, Jace, and daughter, Susannah.

Prior to AP, Kaela drove the DE&I strategy at large organizations like Wawa and Aramark as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategist and as the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, respectively. Kaela also has a background in various HR functions, including talent management, organizational development, HR systems and analytics, communications, and employee engagement.

Kaela holds her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership with a focus in Human Resources from Northeastern University and is an alum from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She’s holds her Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). Kaela serves on the Board of the Philadelphia chapter of SHRM and the IDEAL Board Sub-Committee for the Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences.

She was nominated as an HR Rising Star in 2020 by the Delaware Valley HR Person of the Year Awards and named Philadelphia’s Top 40 Connectors and Keepers by Leadership Philadelphia in their class 2021. True to her passion, Kaela loves to travel to new cities and explore new foodie dishes to learn more about the cultures of others. She also geeks out on sci-fi and space travel and can easily get lost in a good book, movie, or tv show. Feel free to get connected with her on LinkedIn.

Ryan received his Bachelors of Business Administration from Temple University’s Fox School of Business in May 2016, majoring in Human Resources and minoring in Legal Studies. Ryan also received his Associates Degree from Bucks County Community College, majoring in Business Administration. Ryan is currently pursuing his MBA from La Salle University and also holds the SHRM-CP designation.