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
B.A. in Legal Studies - University of California, Santa Cruz
SHRM California Employment Law Credential
As Chief Operating Officer, Ashley brings clarity, strategy, and care to both HRAcademia’s internal operations and client partnerships. She oversees day-to-day company functions while serving as a trusted advisor to school leadership, helping them navigate complex HR and organizational challenges with confidence and perspective.
A cornerstone of HRA’s growth, Ashley helped scale the firm from a small team of three to the thriving organization it is today. She continues to strengthen systems, relationships, and processes that enhance the employee experience and ensure clients receive exceptional, compliant, and people-centered support.
Known for her approachable and empathetic leadership style, Ashley builds trust across all levels of an organization. She believes effective HR begins with authentic relationships, creating space for employees and leaders to feel heard, supported, and understood.
Before moving into senior leadership, Ashley worked in HR advisory and Managing Director roles, developing expertise in leaves of absence, employee relations, and benefits administration.
Outside of work, Ashley is a big foodie who loves cooking, traveling, and discovering new restaurants. She also treasures spending time with her husband and son, whether relaxing at home or exploring new places together. A lifelong animal lover, she dreams of one day opening a sanctuary for senior dogs.
Jessie Roberts
People Operations Manager
B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude - University of California, Santa Cruz
As People Operations Manager, Jessie supports her team and client schools with care, clarity, and collaboration. She ensures that each client partnership runs smoothly, balancing structure with empathy to help schools and HR teams navigate day-to-day challenges with confidence.
Jessie is passionate about creating tools and processes that make HR more approachable and effective. She developed HRAcadmia’s People & Culture Audit and Compensation Analysis frameworks from the ground up, initiatives that now serve as key resources for schools and the internal team alike. Her leadership combines strategic insight with compassion, helping schools navigate complex HR matters while maintaining trust and understanding.
Before joining HRA, Jessie built her career in residential property management, supporting leasing and operations for new and established apartment communities. Her experience working with high-end properties and frequently stepping into leadership roles strengthened her communication, organization, and client service skills, qualities she now brings to her HR leadership with empathy, clarity, and connection.
Outside of work, Jessie loves traveling, exploring new places, and taking in the beauty of nature wherever she goes. A passionate foodie and live music fan, she’s always seeking new experiences, whether discovering a new restaurant, attending a concert (or three!), or simply enjoying some downtime with her husband and their dog.
Jacob Gonzales
HR Client Partner
B.A. in Applied Linguistics - University of California, Los Angeles
As an HR Client Partner, Jacob specializes in creating smooth, compliant, and data-driven HR and payroll systems that help schools operate with confidence. He partners closely with school leaders and staff to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and connection across all HR processes, from payroll implementation and reporting to leaves of absence and policy development.
With deep expertise in payroll, HRIS management, and leave administration, Jacob is known for stepping into complex situations and restoring clarity and order. He has successfully led multiple payroll transitions and process improvements, ensuring uninterrupted operations and stronger systems for long-term sustainability. Before joining HRAcademia, he worked as an educator in Japan’s public education system, where he implemented a new English language program for Kobe city and developed a structured, systems-based approach to learning - an experience that now shapes his methodical and collaborative HR style.
A thoughtful communicator and analytical problem-solver, Jacob takes the time to understand each client’s unique needs and translate them into practical, achievable solutions. His structured yet flexible approach helps schools stay compliant, confident, and focused on their people.
Outside of work, Jacob enjoys strategy games, painting miniatures, and spending time with his pets. Able to speak English, German, and Japanese, he brings a strategist’s mindset and a global perspective to everything he does.
Desirae Mann
Senior HR Operations Specialist
B.S. in Business - California State University, Channel Islands
As a Senior HR Operations Specialist, Desirae brings organization, clarity, and care to every stage of the employee experience. She supports schools by leading efficient, compliant, and people-focused HR operations, helping ensure that recruiting, onboarding, and documentation run smoothly.
With expertise in onboarding, recruiting, and I-9 compliance, Desirae plays a key role in shaping systems that make HR processes streamlined and user-friendly. She collaborates with school administrators to anticipate needs, resolve challenges, and create procedures that enhance both accuracy and employee satisfaction. Before joining HRAcademia, Desirae worked in the tech and health industries, where she honed her skills in systems improvement, organization, and employee support, experience that now informs her thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to HR operations.
Known for her calm professionalism and proactive mindset, Desirae helps schools stay aligned, compliant, and well-supported. She’s passionate about improving systems and creating experiences that make employees feel welcomed, prepared, and confident from day one.
Outside of work, Desirae enjoys hiking and exploring with her husband, discovering new trails, coffee shops, and dessert spots along the way. She brings the same curiosity, care, and appreciation for connection to her adventures that she does to her work.
Jennifer Lozano
HR Client Partner
B.A. in Business Administration, Emphasis in Human Resource Management - California State University, Fresno
As an HR Client Partner, Jenny combines care, clarity, and compliance to support both school leaders and employees with confidence and consistency. She serves as a trusted advisor throughout the employee experience, guiding clients through onboarding, benefits, leaves of absence, and other key HR processes with precision and empathy.
With expertise in leave management, onboarding, and HR systems, Jenny helps schools strengthen their HR operations while ensuring every employee feels valued, informed, and supported. Before joining HRAcademia, she worked as an HR Coordinator in the corporate sector, supporting executive employees with accuracy and confidentiality, experience that shaped her detail-oriented and service-driven approach to HR.
Known for her attention to detail and calm, dependable approach, Jenny brings a steady hand to complex or sensitive situations. She values proactive communication and clear guidance, helping clients feel confident in their decisions and employees feel cared for every step of the way.
Outside of work, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family, riding bikes, cooking new recipes, and taking on creative home projects. A former cheerleader with an endless sense of curiosity, she brings positivity, precision, and heart to everything she does.
Paige Vigneault
HR Client Partner
M.S. in Human Resource Management - University of Maryland, Global Campus
B.S. in Business Management - San Diego State University
As an HR Client Partner, Paige blends strategic insight and hands-on expertise to help schools build efficient, compliant, and people-centered HR practices. She serves as a trusted partner to school leaders and employees, offering guidance on employee relations, compliance, benefits, payroll, and day-to-day HR operations with clarity and care.
With strong experience in payroll, employee relations, and onboarding, Paige helps her clients navigate both routine processes and complex personnel matters confidently. She has led several key initiatives to improve efficiency and compliance across schools, including developing adaptable policy templates, streamlining benefit and training systems, and implementing new HRIS platforms that strengthen accuracy and access. Before joining HRAcademia, she gained five years of HR experience in both executive and Fintech environments, where she built a foundation in process improvement, employee communication, and organizational support.
Known for her calm problem-solving style and proactive communication, Paige makes even challenging situations feel manageable. She approaches each client relationship with empathy, professionalism, and a focus on continuous improvement, helping schools feel supported, informed, and equipped to thrive.
Outside of work, Paige enjoys spending time outdoors with her Husky, Nala, cooking new dishes, strength training, and relaxing with loved ones. She finds joy in sunrises, sunsets, and simple moments of connection, reminders of the balance she brings to her work and life.
Ren Lammers
HR Operations Specialist
B.A. in Environmental Studies, Focus in Sustainable Agriculture and Conservation Biology, Summa Cum Laude - University of California, Santa Cruz
As an HR Operations Specialist, Ren supports schools with organized, efficient, and people-centered HR operations. She manages onboarding, recruiting, documentation, and compliance tracking, ensuring every process runs smoothly from start to finish.
With a strong focus on onboarding, recruiting, and process improvement, Ren brings a keen eye for detail and a solutions-oriented mindset to her work. She has led initiatives to streamline hiring and onboarding workflows, strengthen communication between school departments, and update HRIS documentation for greater accuracy and compliance. Known for her clear communication and proactive planning, she partners closely with school leaders to keep timelines on track and ensure employees feel supported and informed.
Before joining HRAcademia, Ren worked in sustainable agriculture and conservation biology, managing operations, planning systems, and communication processes across diverse teams. That experience shaped her systematic yet creative approach to problem-solving and instilled a deep appreciation for building organized, efficient systems that help people thrive.
Outside of work, Ren enjoys hiking, birding, sewing, and creating sustainable fashion pieces from reclaimed textiles. A creative problem-solver at heart, she brings curiosity, care, and craft to everything she takes on.
Jai Dodechani
HR Technology & Process Associate
M.S. in Games & Playable Media - University of California, Santa Cruz
B.A. in Game Design - Birmingham City University
As an HR Technology & Process Associate, Jai blends creativity and technical skill to help schools optimize their HR systems and workflows. He focuses on improving efficiency through better technology, data management, and process design, supporting colleagues and school teams in keeping operations seamless and accurate.
With experience in HRIS systems, onboarding, offboarding, and automation, Jai plays a key role in enhancing how schools manage information and streamline documentation. He has contributed to major process improvements, from developing internal automation tools and payroll schedules to supporting the design and maintenance of HRAcademia’s company website. Known for his curiosity and solution-oriented mindset, Jai brings structure and innovation to every project he works on.
Before joining the HRA team, Jai worked in game design and production, where he honed his skills in systems thinking, scripting, and workflow optimization, expertise he now applies to HR technology and process improvement.
Outside of work, Jai enjoys board games, dancing, and exploring new cities. He’s passionate about sports (with badminton as his latest favorite) and is always up for discovering new music or learning the rules to the next great game.