As a SHRM-certified professional, I possess a solid foundation of knowledge in HR (Human Resources) practices and principles. I have over 17 years of experience in Human Capital Management from account management to sales. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to train and develop individuals on my team. This ignited my passion for people development, and I have loved every minute of it!

During the earliest years of my career, I worked for the largest privately held talent management firm, The Allegis Group, to identify top-level talent. For me, this taught me the foundations of professionalism, a strong work ethic, striving for excellence, and crushing goals!

Following my time with The Allegis Group, I spent 10 years working for Paychex, one of America’s Most Admired Companies. While at Paychex, I managed overly complex client accounts within the Professional Employment (PEO) division. Looking for a new challenge within Paychex, I shifted my focus toward becoming a sales representative and succeeded admirably. Consistently ranking among the top 15% of sales reps nationwide, I gained invaluable insight into what clients prioritize and how to respond to their needs.

My background in both operations and sales has provided me with valuable insight into what clients prioritize and how to meet their needs. This has broadened my understanding of the motivations and mindsets of sales and service professionals.

In 2020, I was approached by PuzzleHR to help assist in establishing a successful client onboarding experience for our new clients. The goal was to ensure a stellar first experience with our service divisions. Shortly thereafter, I joined the Learning & Development Team. My primary goal is to build and facilitate training programs; programs that foster the development of important skills such as emotional intelligence, a growth mindset, effective leadership in times of change, the ability to set clear expectations, and professional mentoring. I take tremendous pride in providing people with the skills and knowledge they need to reach their full potential!

My career has been marked by excellence and drive within each role I have held.

Derek is a dedicated advocate for personal and professional development, bringing with him years of leadership development experience. After spending over 25 years in the corporate world, he found his calling in helping others reach their full potential and launched his own company. Derek's role extends beyond a career—it's a passion and vocation, inspired by the belief that one should love what they do. As a certified coach, trainer, and speaker, he empowers individuals to broaden their horizons and achieve their goals. Leveraging his extensive experience, Derek provides valuable insights, strategies, and tools for effective leadership. He believes the answers lie within us, aiding clients in navigating their inner selves to uncover these solutions. Encouraging a commitment to exploration and embracing change, Derek views the transformative journey as an ever-evolving process.

Rebecca is a co-founder of Puzzle and serves as Vice President of Customer Success with over 30 years of broad experience helping businesses achieve their goals through strategic management of their human capital. She most recently served for 14 years with Paychex, Inc. in senior leadership roles within their ASO/PEO, Retirement Planning and Payroll divisions. She has a track record of demonstrated leadership through developing national award-winning teams and consultants. Rebecca brings a wealth of client-centric human capital experience across recruiting and HR Consulting, which positions Puzzle to respond to our clients’ need for strategic HR solutions.

Marieke’s leadership in multidisciplinary practice and landscape architecture has yielded significant, sustained impacts at local and national scales. Her commitment to promoting sustainability and ecological principles in dense environments has helped to create inherently social spaces that spark belonging and identity. She believes in the power of collaboration, emphasizing co-creation and design equity to ensure that built work reflects the unique character, values, and needs of a community. Marieke is an enthusiastic supporter of Climate Action and carbon drawdown in her work. She has served for three years on the ASLA Climate Action Committee, as well as for ten years at the chapter level. Additionally, she volunteers her time to support homeless and affordable housing, arts, and environmental non-profits.

Mariana Ricker is passionate about California landscapes and emphasizes the importance of site-specific, sustainable landscape design. She enjoys working in urban settings that engage diverse user groups and activate spaces essential to civic life.

In her work as a landscape architect, Mariana seeks to create memorable experiences, connect people to the environment, and provide elegant solutions to accomplish the project vision. At SWA, she works on a wide range of projects, from community parks to large-scale urban development and planning around the Bay Area and beyond. Mariana is committed to climate action within her project work and professionally. She is a member of the national ULI Sustainable Development Product Council, and currently sits on both national and local ASLA Biodiversity & Climate Action Committees. 

Andrew Wickham is a Project Leader at LPA, a national integrated design firm.  Andrew leads designs at the intersection of built, cultural, and natural systems and is a champion of metric-driven design.  His interest lies in how the blending of built and natural environments can enhance a user’s experience and reinforce values of equity, ecology, and curiosity.  Andrew is a proven thinker and strategist, speaking at numerous conferences about the value of performative landscapes and human experience. He is currently Trustee for California Sierra Chapter of ASLA and co-chair of the Leadership and Communication sub-committee of the national Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee.

Bill represents architecture, landscape architecture,engineering, environmental design and other professional services firms. Billis considered a go-to source for strategic counsel regarding ownershiptransition planning, including internal transactions, mergers and acquisitions,and Employee Stock Ownership Plans. For more than 30 years, he has helpeddevelop ownership transition programs for leading professional service firmsnationwide and speaks extensively on the topic. Bill co-authored the definitivework on ownership transition, “Architects Essentials of Ownership Transition,”with contribution by Laura Howard and published by John Wiley and Sons and theAmerican Institute of Architects. Bill is also a licensed CPA.

Laura serves as a trusted business adviser to hercorporate clients, including architects and engineers, with whom she worksclosely to identify, assess and resolve legal issues involving employment,contract and ownership transition issues. Laura assists clients through thecorporate life cycle, addressing formation issues in the start-up phase onthrough to developing and implementing an exit strategy. She has experience ingeneral corporate counseling, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and ownershiptransition and provides practical solutions to her clients’ legal challenges.Laura has handled transactions ranging in size from $1 million to more than$300 million in enterprise valuee.