We Are Your
HR Partners

At HR Advantage, we are your HR Partner. We listen to your needs, assess and help you reimagine your workplace to help you achieve the results you really want.

As highly trained experts, we are equipped with the strategic knowledge and deep appreciation for your business goals. You’ll discover that we bring the full experience to you – providing the skills, resources and leaders you need, when you need them. We work with your current team or bring in emerging leaders to ensure everyone thrives in making your business successful. We facilitate individual, team and organizational development through number one talent management, enhanced leadership and cultural alignment to achieve your corporate goals.

HR Advantage is dedicated to providing HR solutions and strategies that continually elevate the organizations where we work.

Norma Castaneda

Founder, MBA, Bilingual Specialist

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Strategic Development
  • Advisory & Compliance
  • C-Suite Strategy & Coaching
  • Healthcare Admin/Management
  • Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives
  • Board of Director Growth & Project Acceleration
  • CEO Succession Planning & Leadership Growth
  • Executive Search
Norma Castaneda, Founder of HR Advantage

Career Experience

Fidelis Health Group
Chief Operating Officer

NCHS Holdings Inc.
Chief of Strategy, Chief of Staff, Vice President International Markets

Pfizer, Takeda, Genentech, McKesson Biologics, AmerisourceBergen, Premier
Strategic Alliances

HR Advantage and Advantage Benefits
Founder

Bighorn Golf Club
Director of Human Resources

National Associations of Specialty Pharmacy
Government Affairs Committee

Palm Springs Art Museum
Diversity and Inclusion Task Force

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals
Board Member

College of the Desert
Diversity Chair and Foundation Board Member

Education & Credentials

Health Care Compliance Association
HCCA Compliance Officer Health Care Accreditation
Team Member establishing industry policies and procedures.

National Association Specialty Pharmacy
NASP Member

Desert Hospitality Accountants Association
DHAA Member

Society For Human Resources Management
SHRM Member

Professionals In Human Resources Association
PIHRA Member

Masters Business Administration
Concentration in Management and Leadership from the University of La Verne

Bachelor of Science in Public Administration
University of La Verne

Michelle Diaz

HR Business Partner

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Healthcare Administration & Compliance
  • Regulatory Agency Compliance (TJC, CARF, CDPH)
  • Strategic Planning
  • Change Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Organizational & Employee Development
  • Employee Relations
  • Compensation Analysis
  • Harassment (Including Sexual) & Bullying in the Workplace
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Wage & Hour Compliance
  • Talent Acquisition & Retention
  • Risk Mitigation
  • Employee Health, Safety & Security
  • Total Rewards & Benefits
  • Succession Planning & Career Pathing
  • Management Training & Development
  • Staff Recognition & Reward Programs

Career Experience

HR Advantage and Advantage Benefits
HR Business Partner

Ballard Rehabilitation Hospital
Director of Human Resources

Vibra Healthcare
Director of Human Resources

Sunspire Health
Regional Human Resources Director

Michael’s House
Human Resources Manager

Betty Ford Center
Director of Quality & Safety

Education & Credentials

University of Phoenix
Business Management

Society For Human Resources Management (SHRM) California Law HR Specialty
SHRM Member

Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA)
Member

Tracy Blawski

HR Business Operations

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Business Development & Operations
  • Handbooks, Policies & Procedure Development
  • Executive Search
  • Management Training
  • 10 years in Healthcare Management Operations
  • 10 years in Non-Profit Growth

Ashley Coke-Lawrence

HR Business Partner

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Executive Search/Talent Management
  • California HR Law
  • Wage & Hour Compliance
  • 15 years Healthcare Admin/Management
  • Investigations
  • Management Training
  • Employee Relations
  • Total Rewards, Compensation Classification & Benefits Studies

Theresa Maggio

National Business Development Director

Specializes In

  • Business Development
  • Integrated Marketing & Communications Strategy
  • Business to Consumer Traffic & Revenue Generation
  • Website Design, Analytics, and Maintenance
  • Consumer Loyalty Engagement & Programming
  • Non-Profit Growth & Development
  • Event Management
Staci Weissberg Benefits Specialist

Career Experience

Shea Homes, BlueStar Resort & Golf
Marketing and Membership Director

  • Revenue generation strategist for 40 golf courses, restaurants, spas, and catering venues.
  • Developed 90-day Membership engagement and club loyalty program.
  • Coached GMs, developing KPIs in raising Member Survey results and financials.

BIGHORN Golf Club & BIGHORN Properties
Marketing and Communications Director

  • Directed comprehensive brand strategy and omnichannel marketing campaigns integrating media, social, digital and p.r.
  • Art directed 500+ property and lifestyle shoots, commercials and 20 Magazines.
  • Designed fully integrated website remodels and created digital concierge.

BIGHORN Golf Club Charities
Marketing Director

Advanced the 501(c)(3) raising $105 million for local non-profits in 10 years. Developed BIGHORN BAM and BIGHORN Cares Grant Program.

Education & Affiliations

City of Palm Desert Marketing Committee
Vice Chair, 20-Year Envision Initiative

Xavier College Preparatory High School
Former Board Member

Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing
University of San Diego

Awards

2013 Corporate Athena Award, City of Palm Desert

2018 The Communicator Award of Excellence and Award of Distinction

2018 Telly Award

2002-2018 Received 64 Desert Advertising Federation ADDY Awards

Sarah Prince
CEBS, GBA, CMS

Benefits Specialist

Sarah Prince Benefits Specialist

Sarah has specialized in helping HR Professionals and Business Owners design cutting edge Employee Benefits programs for 20 years. She has been designated a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In the course of these studies, she also earned her Group Benefits Associate (GBA) and Compensation Management Specialist (CMS) designations. Sarah is also an active member of the Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA), serving as the Executive Board Vice President of Legislative Affairs from 2014-2018, and continues to serve on the Government Affairs Board.

Our collaborative spirit will help you understand your business and company culture, and we’ll strive to add value to your long-term planning goals.

We offer a full-service Employee Benefit program specializing in:

  • HMO Plans
  • PPO Plans
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Life Insurance
  • HSA/FSA Plans
  • Aflac | Disability, Critical Illness, Accident

We can also assist you with your Business Insurance needs, focusing on Medium to Large Employers:

  • Workers Compensation
  • Business Package Policies
  • Automobile Policies
  • Professional Liability

Advantage Benefits’ top priorities are:

  • Managing Costs
  • Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
  • Enhancing Employee Engagement
  • Increasing Job Satisfaction

Maria Zielke

Consultant
Bilingual Specialist

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Advisory & Compliance
  • Employee Relations
  • Critical Problem Solving
  • Performance Management & Termination
  • Operational Efficiencies
  • Organizational Design

Career Experience

Over 20 years of progressive HR experience.

Concentrix
VP, Human Resources

SYNNEX
Director, Human Resources

Education & Affiliations

University of California, Berkeley

Lisa M. Smith, CPA

Accountant

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Small business accounting services including AP, AR, and GL
  • Payroll preparation and reporting
  • Individual and business Income tax preparation
  • Sales tax reporting
  • Financial reporting
  • Experienced in QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online, Sage, and ADP

Career Experience

CPA
Sole Proprietor
Over 20 years of experience working with a wide variety of small businesses.

Dal Media Solutions
Controller
Managed the financial operations for this $5M corporation with employees located world-wide performing on government security and technical contracts.

The McFletcher Corporation
Controller
Managed the financial operations for this global team-based consulting, research, and product company.

Henry + Horne
Staff Accountant
Performed a wide variety of tax and accounting work for clients of this public accounting firm.

Discount Tire Company
Assistant to Senior VP of Finance
Performed accounting and financial reporting for subsidiaries affiliated with Discount Tire Company.

Education & Affiliations

Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting

State of Arizona
Certified Public Accountant

Arizona Society of CPA’s
Member

Anna Dempster

HR Consultant

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Hospitality HR Management
  • Sales and Training Professional
  • Recruiting & Executive Search
  • Onboarding & Termination
  • Talent Retention & Reward Programs
  • Critical Problem Solving
  • Customer Service Engagement
  • Operational Efficiencies
  • Organizational Design
  • Management Training & Development

Career Experience

Monterey Sheraton Hotel
Director of Human Resources

Carmel Valley Ranch Resort
Director of Human Resources

The Buttes Resort
Director of Human Resources

The Club at PGA West
Membership Sales Manager

Education & Affiliations

St. Mary’s College of California

Industrial & Organizational Psychology

Arianna
Guerra
SR. HR Generalist
Bilingual HR Specialist

Arianna Guerra HR Manager

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • I9 Compliance
  • Workers Compensation
  • Leaves of Absences
  • Employee Benefits
  • Compliance Audits
  • Employee Relations
  • Full-Cycle Recruitment
  • Industry Specific Guidance
  • Unemployment & Termination
  • Payroll/Payables

Erika
Flores
Payroll Specialist

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Multi State Payrolls
  • Experience with 401k, ESPP, ACA
  • Identifying clients’ business payroll cost savings
  • Recommending improvements to payroll services or best practices
  • Experience with major systems including: ADP, SAP, Paylocity, Paychex
  • Maintain Accurate Payroll records in compliance with Federal & State Laws

Rocio
Rochin-Reyes
Jr. HR Business Partner,
Bilingual Specialist

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • I9 Compliance
    Full-Cycle Recruitment
  • Unemployment & Termination
  • Industry Specific Guidance
  • Employee Benefits
  • Employee Relations
  • Workers Compensation
  • Leaves of Absences
  • Payroll/Payables
  • Harassment Training

Arianna Navarro
HR Generalist, Bilingual Specialist

Brisa Casteñeda

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • I9 Compliance
  • Workers Compensation
  • Leaves of Absences
  • Employee Benefits
  • Compliance Audits
  • Employee Relations
  • Full-Cycle Recruitment
  • Industry Specific Guidance
  • Unemployment & Termination

Tiffany Eldredge
HR Generalist

Brisa Casteñeda

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • I9 Compliance
  • Workers Compensation
  • Leaves of Absences
  • Employee Benefits
  • Compliance Audits
  • Employee Relations
  • Full-Cycle Recruitment
  • Industry Specific Guidance
  • Unemployment & Termination

Zaira
Bautista-Renteria
Jr. HR Generalist

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • I9 Compliance
  • Workers Compensation
  • Leaves of Absences
  • Employee Benefits
  • Compliance Audits
  • Employee Relations
  • Full-Cycle Recruitment
  • Industry Specific Guidance
  • Unemployment & Termination
  • Payroll/Payables

Alex
Braunschweiger
Executive Assistant to Norma Castaneda

Brisa Casteñeda

SPECIALIZES IN:

  • Operations Coordination
  • Marketing Coordination

“During these unprecedented times, where services have been impacted everywhere and as a customer you constantly get recorded messages, long waits and office closures, HR Advantage does an exceptional job. They are easy to get a hold of whenever needed, responsive, providing expert information. Anyone of my staff can call them and HR Advantage picks up the phone and provides expert personal service whenever we ask for help. They are always there when you need them!”

Ken K., President, Synergy Home Health Care

“HR Advantage are true professionals to work with. They’re well connected within their professional and personal community. If you need something taken care of or a connection to find out an answer, they can do it. Trustworthy, proficient, professional and team players.”

Zigi G., Eisenhower Medical Center

“HR Advantage is very knowledgeable and their attention to detail always exceeds everyone’s expectations. I have known and worked with them for over twenty-five years, they’re true professionals.”

Ric D., Agua Caliente Casino

“HR Advantage is the perfect company to work with. They care about their employees and colleagues; And go the extra mile and know their stuff. Always look forward to working with them.”

Jose F., Permanente Medical Group

“HR Advantage is dedicated, knowledgeable and highly professional. They engage every individual they meets with a great smile and energetic personality. They’re a great asset to any organization.”

Candice M., The Vintage Club

“There’s no question what HR advantage has added to our organization – with personal attention to every detail, quick response to all of our needs and the feel of having an in-house HR department, they are simply the best solution for a critical component of our operation.”

Paul C., General Manager, The Leaf El Paseo

“HR Advantage has done exceptional work for us. They have guided us patiently through every step of upgrading our HR operations from those of a small organization to that of a large one! Thank you, HR Advantage, for your professionalism and kindness.”

Sofia C., Director of Operations, United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire

“HR Advantage has been fantastic and they are an absolute pleasure to work with! They are very responsive to all my requests in a timely manner and their advice on all matters of Employee relations is solid and very helpful! They are Human Resource Professionals and have excellent knowledge about all legal requirements in California pertaining to Human Resources. I trust HR Advantage and feel very supported by them!”

Cornelia B., Hampton Inn and Suites

“HR Advantage makes it a priority to visit our hotel properties regularly, providing great support to team members on-site and keeping us informed of new legal and HR requirements to keep our compliance up to date. HR Advantage is always available to help managers get through difficult scenarios and provide valuable counsel.”

Pinank B., Franchisee, Hampton Hotels

“HR Advantage is extremely proactive and readily available. Safety is a priority In the manufacturing industry, and HR Advantage has facilitated informative trainings and hand-held all injury reports which helped us exponentially lower our Workers’ Compensation costs.”

Jorge G., CEO, FF Gomez

“HR Advantage is extremely reliable and they are willing to strategize issues and assist us with possible resolutions to give us successful results. Our business is thriving and we look forward to future growth working with HR Advantage as partners.”

Jared F., CEO, Desert Jet

Contact Us Today!

HR Advantage
73161 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 100
Palm Desert, CA 92260