Terry Janes Atkinson
Chief Executive Officer
Prior to HRAcademia’s birth in 2015, Terry had her own consulting firm, Coatney West, that provided HR services to all industries.
She has held positions of Director of Human Resources for The New York Times Company/Santa Barbara News-Press, for Gannett/San Bernardino Sun, and for Autologic International, as well as Vice President of Operations and Human Resources for TestEquity. She received her Bachelor’s in Health Administration from UC Santa Barbara, is a graduate of the Disney Institute Leadership Program, and is a Real Colors Certified Facilitator.
Ashley Herles
Chief Operating Officer
Ashley joined the team in 2017 and has worked with over 25 independent schools, providing them support with;
She received her Bachelor’s in Legal Studies from UC Santa Cruz and started her journey in the legal field working at both law firms and legal services vendors. Doing what is right is always at the forefront of her mind and she is driven to help employees to ensure they feel supported.
She loves to cook and spend time with her husband Todd and their son Ollie.
Jessie Roberts
People Operations Manager
Prior to joining the team in November 2021, Jessie had an extensive career in Multifamily Property Management, where she specialized in leasing up and stabilizing new communities. She has experience supporting independent schools in a variety areas of Human Resources, including benefits, leaves of absences, payroll, recruiting, and auditing. She is known for her ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employees and clients, and foster a supportive workplace culture. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz, and enjoys traveling with her husband Kyle and playing with her dog, Dexter, at their home in Oklahoma.
Jacob Gonzales
HR Client Partner
Prior to joining the team in August 2021, Jacob was an Elementary School Educator. He loves working in the education environment and focuses on creating a positive and healthy work environment in all schools.
He specializes in Early Childhood Education compliance, Recruiting, as well as HRIS implementation maintenance and troubleshooting.
He has a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Linguistics from UCLA. Jacob is a quick learner, both for new tech and HRIS systems, as well as new client's policies and procedures. He will always see a project through and ensure it is done right.
He likes to play strategy games, paint miniatures, and hang out with his wife Cass, their cats Sprite and Lentil, and their dog Peach.
Desirae Mann
Senior HR Operations Specialist
Desirae has been with us since December 2020. Her background in Human Resources was in tech and healthcare, however, she shines in the education realm and is always eager to help and come up with solutions.
Her attention to detail and strong communication skills make her a valuable team member. Her strengths are;
I-9 compliance
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from California State University Channel Islands. She loves to hike and explore the outdoors with her husband Stephen and is always looking to try the best dessert spots when traveling to new places.
Jennifer Lozano
HR Client Partner
Prior to joining the team in June 2022, Jennifer was an AVID tutor for Middle School students and spent three years in the dairy industry as an HR Coordinator. She's worked on;
She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from Fresno State University. She is detail-oriented, organized, and loves being the first person to connect with employees upon onboarding.
She is a great teacher, focusing on the big picture and ensuring employees feel valued and heard. She enjoys creating homemade decor using her Cricut machine and spending time with her husband Enrique, their daughters Briella and Eliana, and their pugs Bingo, Rosie, and Snowy.
Paige Vigneault
HR Client Partner
Prior to joining the team in April 2024, Paige was an HR Coordinator in the FinTech industry. She brings in over 5 years of experience in Human Resources and has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resource Management and a Master’s degree in Management.
Her strengths are in
Performance management
Policy writing
Payroll Processing
She enjoys being a go-to person and is always ready to provide support and guidance. Paige is very passionate about strength training and staying active. Her 7-year old Husky, Nala, is a constant furry companion on outdoor adventures. She also loves to cook and enjoys spending time with friends and family doing activities that help maintain a fulfilling lifestyle.
Ren Lammers
HR Operations Specialist
Ren joined HRA in March of 2024. She received her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from the University of California Santa Cruz. Before pivoting to human resources, most of Ren’s experience was in sustainable agriculture and conservation biology. Although still new to HR, Ren brings her meticulousness, adaptability, and creative problem solving skills that come from years of unpredictable field work on farms. She is excited to learn more while providing excellent support as an HR Assistant.
In her free time, she loves working on creative sewing projects, cultivating gourmet mushrooms, and challenging herself to stay active in fun new ways.
Jai Dodechani
HR Technology & Process Associate
Jai joined HRAcademia as an HR Technology & Process Associate, bringing a strong background in technical design and user experience. Leveraging his technical skills, he has also integrated automation into the paperwork process, streamlining operations and improving efficiency. With a passion for working on Human Resources and educators, he is committed to designing seamless, engaging, and effective digital solutions that enhance communication and accessibility. He has a masters from UC Santa Cruz. In his free time, he can be found on hike peaks, playing board games, or on the dance floor.