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.

KRYSTA VILLAGRAN
President-Elect & Membership Co-Chair

  • Krysta Villagran is a forward-thinking Human Resources executive with a proven track record of driving organizational success through strategic people leadership. As Head of Human Resources at Financial Partners Credit Union, she leads with a business-first mindset, aligning talent strategies with enterprise goals to accelerate performance, culture, and growth.

     

    With over a decade of HR leadership in the financial services sector, Krysta has overseen enterprise-wide functions including Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Total Rewards, and HR Operations. Her ability to translate business objectives into actionable HR strategies has made her a trusted advisor to executive teams and a catalyst for transformation.

     

    Krysta began her career in a high-impact management development program, where she gained deep insight into financial services and operational excellence. She quickly advanced into HR, where she led early-career and executive talent initiatives, including leadership rotation programs designed to build future-ready leaders.

     

    A passionate advocate for the HR profession, Krysta has served as Co-Chair of the Rising Star Program on the NHRA OC Board of Directors for the past four years, following her own participation in the program in 2020. Her commitment to mentoring and developing emerging HR talent reflects her belief in the power of people to drive business success.

    Krysta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism and is widely recognized for her ability to build trust, influence at the highest levels, and deliver results through people.

MONICA PLEASANT
Past-President

  • Monica Pleasant is the Vice President of People & Culture at Illumination Health + Home, where she leads the organization’s people strategy in support of its mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness through integrated housing and healthcare. In this role, she partners with executive leadership to build a high-performing, mission-driven culture, strengthen organizational capability, and enhance the employee experience to drive meaningful community impact.

    Monica brings over 20 years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience across multiple industries, including healthcare and medical technology. Prior to joining Illumination Health + Home, she served as Director of Human Resources at Medtronic, where she led the execution of global talent strategies for a major business unit, aligning people initiatives with business priorities to drive performance and growth.

    Monica is the Past President of the Orange County affiliate of the National Human Resources Association (NHRA) and has served on its Board of Directors since 2015. She was recognized as an NHRA Rising Star Academy honoree in 2015 and has since given back to the profession by co-chairing the program and mentoring emerging HR leaders.

    Monica is passionate about developing talent, fostering inclusive and high-performing cultures, and leading continuous improvement initiatives that remove barriers, enhance quality, and elevate the employee experience. She is known for her ability to partner with leaders to achieve business outcomes while investing deeply in people.

    She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from Loyola Marymount University along with a certification in Human Resources Management. She is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, bringing a data-driven and continuous improvement mindset to her work.

SYDNEY ROSS
Membership 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.

AARON ROAF
Programs Co-Chair

  • Aaron Roaf is the Head of Growth at Artemis, a specialized Executive Search and Recruitment firm challenging the status quo in the staffing industry. Aaron is responsible for leading all marketing and growth operations as well as 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.

EMILY ANDREWS
Programs Co-Chair

  • Emily Andrews is a highly experienced professional with over 12 years of sales expertise in various roles. She currently works at Paycor, a leading HCM technology platform that empowers leaders to build winning teams by connecting them with people, data, and expertise.

    At Paycor, Emily supports enterprise clients, providing them with powerful HCM technology to streamline operations, increase automation, and achieve a strong ROI. She is a strong advocate for her clients, adept at negotiating contract terms, developing customized solutions, and co-authoring strategies. Emily is deeply passionate about helping clients empower their people and connecting individuals, taking great pride in her ability to connect with clients and prospective clients.

    Beyond her professional life, she loves power walking with her dog Sloan,  exploring new culinary experiences by trying new restaurants, and traveling. Emily is also passionate about charity and supports multiple causes.

     As NHRA Programs Co-Chair she is passionate about providing thought leadership to impact our local HR Community and drive personal & professional growth.

HEATHER BISCHOFF
2026 HR Executives of the Year 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.

TORRIE PLATA
2026 HR Executives of the Year Co-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.

KEVIN SHEARER
Social Chair

  • Kevin Shearer is the current Social Events Chair for the NHRA Orange County Affiliate.  Kevin is an OC native bringing over 15 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!

DANIEL LEO
Mentorship Chair

  • Daniel is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Partner at Continuum Consulting Group in Irvine, CA. He works with both individuals and corporate clients, providing strategic financial planning and investment guidance to help them define and achieve their long-term financial goals.

    He leads Continuum's Retirement Plan Services division, where he helps plan sponsors run their retirement plans more effectively and confidently. His work focuses on fiduciary risk management, optimizing plan design, and implementing employee education strategies that boost retirement readiness. Daniel takes pride in simplifying the complexities of the 401(k) landscape so employers can make informed decisions and stay focused on growing their business.

    Daniel's passion and commitment to building meaningful, long-term relationships fuels his work. He welcomes every opportunity to connect and collaborate with any NHRA OC member.

MALEA ESTRADA
Rising Stars Academy Co-Chair

  • Malea Estrada is a mission-driven Human Resources Executive and currently serves as the Vice President of People and Culture at Silverado, a nationally recognized healthcare organization specializing in memory care and hospice services. With over a decade of progressive HR leadership experience, Malea brings a track record of driving organizational transformation, enhancing employee engagement, and leading high-performing teams across complex, multi-state operations.

    Known for her strategic approach and passion for leadership development, Malea has led impactful initiatives in talent acquisition, performance management, benefits optimization, and DEI&B. Her leadership has contributed to significant improvements in retention, compliance, and overall employee experience. In 2023, she was nominated as HR Professional of the Year by the Orange County Business Journal.

    As Co-Chair of NHRA OC's Rising Star Academy, Malea is committed to mentoring the next generation of HR leaders and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community of practice.

NATHAN LEVOIT
Rising Stars Academy Co-Chair

  • Nathan develops and leads the human resources and talent team, focused on customer service and high engagement for potential, current, and former employees.  He currently serves as the Global Vice President of Human Resources for HireRight, a leader in background checks, drug testing, and employment verification services, where he leads Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Total Reward, HR Systems, and Services.

     

    Prior, Nathan was the Sr. Vice President and Head of HR at Silverado, where NHRA-OC awarded his team the first Team of Excellence Award. He has also held HR leadership positions with a Fin-Tech startup in Orange County and for several international law firms.

     

    He and his wife Trish are both from Orange County and have two children, Liam and Zara.  Nathan also serves as the PTA president for his children’s school and as Treasurer for Newport Harbor PTA (over Costa Mesa and Newport Beach Unified School District). Nathan earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Pepperdine University and a Master of Science in Human Capital Management from Columbia University.

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 Altior Healthcare as CHRO 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. 

MARYAM REZAI
Sponsorship Co-Chair

LAUREN DE JOHN
Sponsorship Co-Chair

  • Lauren De John is a Regional Director at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, where she works at the intersection of people and change. She partners with HR and business leaders to support their workforce through transition while guiding individuals through some of the most pivotal moments in their careers. Through her work in workforce consulting, Lauren helps organizations navigate change and periods of uncertainty with a people-first, business-minded approach. She brings strong insight into job market trends across industries and a deep understanding of the strategic and emotional challenges HR leaders face, allowing her to support organizations with both practical guidance and empathy.

     

    Lauren serves on the NHRA Orange County Board of Directors as Sponsorship Co-Chair, driven by a passion to support and lift up the local HR community. Through her close partnerships with HR leaders, she has seen firsthand the impact they make during some of the toughest moments for organizations and employees, inspiring her pay-it-forward mindset and commitment to getting involved. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys staying active through running and strength training, spending summer days at the beach, and snowboarding during the winter months. As an Orange County native, she is dedicated to building strong connections and helping the local HR community thrive.

THOAI HA
Executive Engagement Chair

  • Thoai Ha is a global-oriented Human Capital leader with over 25 years of experience building and leading business-centric Human Resources departments in fast-paced private, dynamic public, Pre-IPO, private equity backed firms, and startup companies.

    Currently, she serves as the Chief People Officer at Bradshaw Home, where she is passionate about the employee value proposition, building a highly engaged culture and thoughtful change management while delivering on value creation.

    Prior to joining Bradshaw Home, Thoai served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for DPI Specialty Foods, a premier specialty food distributor in the Western US with over 40,000 SKUs and 1 Billion in revenue. Her diverse industry experience includes retail/consumer electronics, design/architectural professional services, engineering, software, Internet, biotech, healthcare services, corporate travel services, automotive, food service, and wholesale distribution. This breadth of experience enables Thoai to bring innovative ideas to resolve challenges.

    She holds a master’s in business administration (MBA), a Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Social Behavior and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, demonstrating her expertise and commitment to the HR profession.

    As part of giving back to the community, Thoai serves as cochair of the Human Resources Specialty Interest Group in the Southern California Chapter of the Private Director’s Association. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of National Human Resources Association (NHRA), OC Chapter, she serves on the HR Advisory Council for the nonprofit organization Working Wardrobes.

    Deanna is known for being the connective tissue between the C suite, the board, and the rest of the organization. She partners closely with senior leaders to translate real world complexity into clear, fair, and scalable performance and behavioral systems that managers can actually use. Her focus on leadership, behaviors, and culture helps global teams stay connected and achieve great success. 

    Deanna has been involved with NHRA Orange County for several years having volunteered on the sponsorship committee for the 2025 Executive of the Year event and is excited to serve as Secretary in 2026.

    Outside of work, Deanna enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and exploring the world through photography. She shares life with her husband, three daughters, and one high spirited German Shepherd. A proud Wisconsin native and lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, she is also part of a family that follows Formula 1 with enthusiasm.

DEANNA DRUM
SECRETARY

  • Deanna Drum is a savvy HR executive who loves building the people foundation that helps global, product led tech companies scale. With more than 20 years of HR experience, she is currently on her second private equity backed company and has also supported a venture backed organization, with leadership experience across fintech, proptech, and manufacturing tech.

    Deanna is known for being the connective tissue between the C suite, the board, and the rest of the organization. She partners closely with senior leaders to translate real world complexity into clear, fair, and scalable performance and behavioral systems that managers can actually use. Her focus on leadership, behaviors, and culture helps global teams stay connected and achieve great success. 

    Deanna has been involved with NHRA Orange County for several years having volunteered on the sponsorship committee for the 2025 Executive of the Year event and is excited to serve as Secretary in 2026.

    Outside of work, Deanna enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and exploring the world through photography. She shares life with her husband, three daughters, and one high spirited German Shepherd. A proud Wisconsin native and lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, she is also part of a family that follows Formula 1 with enthusiasm.