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.

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.

Wes Michaels is principal at Spackman Mossop Michaels (SMM) in New Orleans. He holds degrees from Harvard and the University of Georgia and has over 25 years of experience and focuses on building adaptive communities through green infrastructure. He's an Associate Professor at Tulane and a founding faculty member of the Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Science in River-Coastal Science. Wes has won multiple ASLA awards and authored 'Digital Representation in Landscape Architecture.

Bill Botten, an Exercise Physiology graduate from the University of Kansas, joined the U.S. Access Board in May of 2000 where he served for 22 years in several capacities including Technical Assistance and Training Coordinator as well as a Senior Accessibility Specialist. Bill specializes in accessibility issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas including boating and fishing facilities, trails, picnic and camping facilities, sports facilities, swimming pools, and play areas. His training experience includes hundreds of presentations over the last 30 years to local, state, and national audiences on injury prevention, disability awareness and sensitivity, and accessibility guidelines and standards.

He was part of a team that developed the combined minimum guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act and currently serves on several ASTM and RESNA committees for inclusive fitness equipment and play area surfaces.

Jennie worked in the field of childhood development and exceptional learning for nearly fifteen years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Learning from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a master’s certificate in Adaptive & Assistive Technology from the University of Miami, and a Master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Jennie has presented as a guest lecturer at universities and has presented at over 200 regional, state, national, and international conferences and play symposiums on a variety of topics surrounding inclusion, the developmental benefits of play, and aligning evidence-based research to creating high quality outdoor play and learning environments. 

Jennie joined PlayCore in 2008, and serves as the Community Outreach Director within PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research and Education to support research with our scholar network, create best practice programs to support play and recreation initiatives, provide continuing education through a variety of professional development events, and assist communities in advocating for environments which support the diverse needs of society. Deeply passionate about inclusive, multigenerational play, Jennie utilizes her expertise and personal experiences as a teacher to positively impact the development of innovative play and recreation destinations that focus on community health and wellness.

Julie Donofrio is an urban planner and community engagement specialist with nearly 20 years of experience in urban planning and design on a variety of scales, with a focus on creating equitable processes for community engagement. Currently she serves as the Co-Coordinator of OLIN Labs furthering research and development to support practice, and build a community of research and learning within the design community. Prior to OLIN she was the managing director of PennPraxis at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design, where she also served as a faculty member in the Department of City and Regional Planning, teaching graduate students for over 8 years. Prior to PennPraxis, she was an associate urban designer and planner at WRT in San Francisco and Philadelphia. She began her career as an urban planner with EDAW (now AECOM) in San Diego. Julie holds a Masters in City and Regional Planning and a Masters of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelors of Arts from Wake Forest University. 

Hussein Sayani is Senior Project Manager within Langan’s ESG Advisory practice and is part of Langan’s Sustainability Committee. He is a climate scientist with 10+ years of experience in climate change research, data analytics, and carbon accounting. He specializes in ESG strategy and disclosures, greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, and climate risk assessments. He has assisted clients across a variety of industries, real estate, manufacturing, oil and gas, and agriculture, with developing GHG emission inventories, product carbon footprints or life cycle assessments, ESG disclosures and has advised clients on climate change projections and associated risks.

Ronnie Siegel received a B.A from Colgate University and an M.LA. from the University of Pennsylvania.  She founded the firm Swire Siegel Landscape Architects in 1984, and has promoted sustainability with the use of native plants, conservation of water, and storm water recharge in her work in Southern California for 40 years.  Most of her projects also focused on the design of nature-based play and learning environments for children in urban areas.  She has promoted the benefits of open space design for children was a guest lecturer for the World Forum on Nature Education in Nebraska and for similar conferences around the world.  In addition, Ronnie created a Global Interactive Art Project called Carry the EARTH, which inspired action and collected environmental action stories from around the world from 2018-2023.  She has written and illustrated an award winning fictional children’s book DISPLACED: A Story About Climate Change and How Displaced Animals Ring the Alarm.   

Ronnie is currently working with the US Green Building Council California to facilitate a collaboration with the ASLA on climate action by helping to organize a full day of nature-based solutions sessions at their annual conference in May 2024.  She is on the Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee of the ASLA and  helping to prepare resources for its members to facilite action.  

Amy Syverson-Shaffer is passionate about connecting people to nature and to each other. Her past work as a landscape architect and in business development frames her collaborative approach to taking on big challenges. Today, she is lending her design acumen and contextual understanding to leading sustainability for the modern craft manufacturer, Landscape Forms. Since 2023, she’s served on the ASLA Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee, working to bridge between key efforts by Landscape Architects and their industry partner community. On any given day, you'll most likely find her working in the garden.

Jeff Holzer is a licensed Landscape Architect in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector for Kimley-Horn and Associates.
Jeff has 7 years of experience with a practice in active and passive parks, playgrounds, streetscapes, school/universities, and athletic fields. As Kimley-Horn's only CPSI, Jeff has advised on over 70 playgrounds across 19 states. Jeff volunteers on the LARE Prep committee for ASLA, and the REC TALK committee for the National Recreation and Park Association. In 2020, Jeff won the ANOVA sponsored napkin sketch design competition with a sketch and essay entitled Inclusive Playgrounds for All.