Executive Vice President
IMA recognizes that providing employee benefits represents an important component of an employer’s compensation and benefits model and that they also represent a significant financial investment on an ongoing basis. By auditing the existing benefits program and identifying areas to help manage costs, we work with employers to create intelligent solutions while enhancing employee productivity.
Specialties: IMA delivers more than insurance solutions – We maximize insurance programs. In order to provide our clients with the full range of services, we partner with leading firms whose expertise is in related areas of insurance, employee benefits and Human Resources.
Executive Vice President
With over 18 years of industry experience as a commercial insurance broker, I have always maintained that hard work, integrity, quality and professionalism should be the standard in our industry. With my commitment to excellence, I always provide my clients with superior service while respecting their time and effort.
My objective is to empower business owners to demand more from their brokers and to no longer reward complacency. I’ve yet to find an existing insurance program that I can not beat in coverage, price and service. I have been successful in my career due to my ability to be innovative, results-oriented, driven and aggressive. I strive to always provide my clients with the best products available in the marketplace.
Property & Casualty Insurance Broker
With over 11 years of experience as a Property & Casualty Broker at IMA Financial Group, I provide customized solutions for the insurance and risk management needs of diverse clients across various industries. IMA Financial Group is an integrated financial services company that offers insurance, risk management, employee benefits, and wealth management solutions to its clients around the world. I also hold multiple leadership certifications that enable me to motivate and empower my team and colleagues to deliver exceptional results. I am passionate about helping my clients protect their assets and achieve their goals.
With over four decades of experience in the industry, IMA Los Angeles, formerly Bolton & Company has become a trusted leader in commercial insurance, risk management, surety, and employee benefits brokerage and consulting. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals work tirelessly to develop customized solutions that meet the unique needs of each of our clients.
At IMA Los Angeles, formerly Bolton & Company we understand that businesses face a wide range of risks and challenges, from property damage and liability claims to employee benefits and cyber threats. That’s why we offer a comprehensive suite of services that can be tailored to each client’s specific needs, including risk assessments, insurance placement, claims management, and employee benefits consulting. Our goal is to help our clients mitigate risk and achieve long-term success.
What sets us apart is our commitment to innovation and our ability to anticipate emerging risks and trends. We are constantly exploring new ways to help our clients protect their assets and grow their businesses. We leverage the latest technology and industry insights to provide cutting-edge solutions that deliver results.
At IMA, we believe that our success is measured by the success of our clients. We strive to build strong, long-lasting relationships with each of our clients based on trust, integrity, and a deep understanding of their unique needs. We are proud to serve businesses of all sizes and industries, and we are confident that we have the expertise and resources to help your business thrive.
Our more than 2,300 associates are located across offices in Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Ray is exclusively an advocate and adviser to companies who lease or own real estate. He has worked for over 20 years to help companies integrate their business strategies into their real estate decision making process in an effort to gain efficiencies, minimize costs, and boost profits.
Ray is committed to producing results for his clients and building long term relationships with them.
Sr. VP at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
A nationally recognized expert in outplacement, consulting and business development with a diverse industry background.
I’ve helped many Fortune 500 companies seamlessly transition employees out of their organizations to new roles quickly and efficiently. I’m proud that due to my work both companies and employees are very pleased with the outcomes which include better jobs, zero litigation and positive reviews on sites like Glassdoor for the former employers.
Specialties: Outplacement, leadership development, executive coaching, assessment, retention, team alignment, and mergers and acquisitions. Helping organizations execute strategy through their people for better business results.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas is the pioneer in national outplacement and a premier partner for leadership and executive coaching. With nearly 60 years of experience working across industries, and with relationships at virtually every Fortune 500 company in the U.S., we are the leaders of corporate-sponsored employee outplacement and executive coaching, working with companies to take their talent and businesses to the next level.
Serving as a constant resource to Human Resources professionals, Challenger regularly conducts research on talent management trends, the labor market, and the economy, producing data vital to decision-makers as they manage not only their workforces, but also operations overall.
Challenger is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, striving to reflect the differences in our world particularly at a time when real empathy and connection are needed – during job loss. An ally for racial, age, gender, LGBTQ+, religious, and neuro differences, we work to create a sense of belonging in all our team members and anyone who partners with us.
Partner. Consultant. Expert. Friend. Trusted Advisor. We help lead professionals to new opportunities and through difficult challenges throughout their careers and lives.
People are our priority and we help them achieve their goals. With compassion and innovation at the helm over the past five decades, we have helped hundreds of thousands of people find work, build careers, and take the next step towards making a difference in the world.
Employment Law Partner
As Partner at Fisher & Phillips, one of the largest US law firms representing management in labor and employment law, I have spent my career supporting business owners, companies, and employers in all aspects of employment law.
I help clients minimize regulatory and legal risk so they can focus on what really matters – their business. My experience includes working with small businesses to Fortune 500 companies with thousands of employees across a wide variety of industries from healthcare to manufacturing, construction, professional services, consumer goods, health care, food service, retail, non-profit and technology.
Employer Defense Partner
Hannah represents employers in all aspects of employment law, including advice and counsel.
Hannah’s focused areas include the defense of employers in class actions, PAGA claims and other wage and hour matters. Hannah also has experience in defending employers in employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination litigation.
With more than 500 attorneys in 36 offices across the United States, Fisher Phillips is a national labor and employment firm providing practical business solutions for employers’ workplace legal problems. Labor and employment law is all the firm does, offering deep and broad knowledge and experience in the area of law the attorneys know best. Fisher Phillips attorneys help clients avoid legal problems, are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, and are there when you need them.
Ruftca Recruiting
Specialties: Recruiting for legal, financial, and corporate positions; staffing, sales force management, marketing, talent acquisition with a special knack for working with start-up companies in California.
UCLA Extension is the continuing education division of UCLA. We offer courses and certificate programs online & campus.
UCLA Extension is the continuing education division of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). We offer over 5,000 open-enrollment courses and 180+ certificates in 80 fields of study. Courses are offered days, evenings, and weekends on the UCLA campus in Westwood and Downtown Los Angeles, and online. Courses range from business, arts, engineering, and IT to entertainment studies, public policy, public health, the humanities and more. Explore UCLA Extension at www.uclaextension.edu.
i4cp is the leading authority on next practices in human capital.
Discover next practice through a combination of global future of work research and a powerful peer community that allows you to make real-time, real-world decisions.
i4cp’s free Employer Resource Center helps thousands of CHROs and senior HR executives make better decisions on hybrid work, return to office, and more.
Principal, LTC Performance Strategies, Inc.
Larry Comp serves as the LTC Performance Practice Leader for High Performance and Total Compensation Solutions. Larry is a widely recognized authority in the field, having supported over 1,000 organizations across 50+ industry segments. These include the design, development, and implementation of:
Larry’s passion is leveraging pay-for- performance relationships, to create healthy, “high performance” cultures. Client organizations frequently report increased productivity, profitability & value, as well as improved teamwork and ownership.
Larry was selected as Valencia’s 2021 Local Businessperson of the Year.
Principal, LTC Performance Strategies, Inc.
Terry Lauter Comp is a founding principal, with experience as a Corporate HR Vice President, national/international consultant, graduate/undergraduate business instructor, author, and community leader. She serves as Practice Leader for Performance and Organizational Development.
Terry has an extensive background in planning and implementing large-scale culture change initiatives in forward-thinking organizations. Terry has been recognized as a pioneer in the area of Open Book Management and Business Literacy, an innovative and proven means of building an engaged workforce and a culture of accountability. She has assisted many of our clients in developing a “Corporate University” and has designed, developed and/or facilitated curriculums for organizations across industry. Terry supports clients in assessing development needs, and designing and facilitating customized development programs.
Terry has taught countless management courses as a Corporate Executive, HRD consultant and university instructor. She was recognized for her teaching excellence at the University of Redlands. Terry received her MA degree in Educational Psychology from UCLA and has been accredited as a Sr. Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She is the co-author of the newly released book, Think Inside the Box: The Secret To Partnering With Your Employees to Drive Growth and Profit”.
Managing Director, LTC Performance Strategies, Inc.
Norb Garrett serves as LTC Performance’s Managing Director. He joined LTC in September 2021, initially, as the company’s Growth Consultant focused on optimizing business’ capabilities and ensuring client satisfaction and efficiencies. As Managing Director, Norb directs LTC strategies & operations while providing their clients with real-world consulting services alongside LTC’s team of professional consultants. Among his fields of expertise:
Norb has 25+ experience as a senior executive and entrepreneur, having worked for businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large corporations. His hands-on experience building and leading private and public companies provides real-world knowledge to help today’s executives create custom-made solutions and strategies.
An avid surfer, snowboarder, runner and world traveler, Norb has lived in Southern California since 2000 after working in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Norb holds a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park. Norb also attended The Lawrenceville School. He serves on several boards and is a frequent guest speaker at conferences and events.
LTC Performance Strategies, Inc. is a 25+ year old, Los Angeles-based consulting firm whose mission has been to help client organizations meet their most pressing total compensation and performance challenges. To date we have supported over 800 of these privately-owned, publicly-traded and non-profit organizations of all sizes, across all major industry segments.
During this time, we have leveraged our team to provide our clients with customized, integrated, and easy to implement solutions to: (1) attract, engage and retain top talent; (2) incent the desired organizational, team and individual contributions; and (3) improve the performance, profitability and value of their organizations.
Co-Founder - Gig Talent
Hema Crockett, a former HR executive and entrepreneur, believes in embracing one’s passions and dreams. With nearly two decades of diverse corporate experience spanning biotech, tech, fintech, finance, and government, she sought a different path. As the co-founder of Gig Talent, a cutting-edge talent collective, Hema connects top-tier HR consultants and leadership coaches with forward-thinking companies, empowering professionals to shape their futures. Her work, featured in Forbes and Thrive Global, reflects her commitment to building exceptional organizational cultures. Hema has also co-authored two books: “Designing Exceptional Organizational Cultures” and “The Everyday Leader.”
Vice-President - Gig Talent
We get it—running a small business can be challenging, especially when you throw in the complexity of ever-changing employment laws and best practices. Between chasing down unreliable answers on Google and trying to decipher complex legalese, it’s enough to overwhelm anyone.
By combining certified HR experts with tech-enabled tools, Mineral takes the guesswork out of HR and empowers you to do right by your employees. Our innovative platform is a one-stop resource for small businesses, filled with everything you need to tackle even the trickiest workplace issues with total confidence.
Mineral brings together the best of two HR and compliance powerhouses: ThinkHR and Mammoth. While our name has changed, you can still count on us for the same great HR and compliance solutions that hundreds of thousands of businesses have come to rely on.
Fiduciary Investment Advisor for Retirement Plans, Endowments, and Foundations
Karen is a nationally recognized industry advocate who specializes in providing investment advisory, fiduciary governance, plan design, retirement, and nonqualified deferred compensation consulting services. She works diligently to understand each client’s unique needs and circumstances, provide actionable and impactful consulting on fiduciary challenges, and deliver the comprehensive services needed to effectively manage retirement benefits. Karen is passionate about building trusted relationships, financial wellness, and creating exceptional client and employee experiences.
Karen received her economics degree from UC Davis, and previously worked in leadership positions for Fidelity Investments and American Funds. She is on the Board for the Western Pension & Benefit Council San Francisco Chapter, past-President of the Los Angeles Chapter, and member of the Retirement Advisor Council, and DCIIA Retirement Research Center Advisor Institute Council. She has been recognized as a Top 50 Woman “All Star Advisor” and Top 100 Advisor Team by NAPA, and Financial Times top 401(k) Advisors. Karen volunteers as a sustainer for National Charity League and is the Chairman of the Assistance League of Ventura County’s Investment Committee.
Vice President | Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST
James has over 20 years of financial industry experience working with companies to positively influence retirement outcomes for their employees. I enjoy the challenge of helping my clients remove barriers to efficiency and position their plan(s) to meet employees where they are in their journey to a better financial future. Who we are and how we operate set us apart in our mission to enrich the lives of our clients through sound financial advice, integrity, and commitment to service beyond expectation.
CAPTRUST is one of the nation’s largest fiduciary advisors helping employers manage their 401(k), 403(b), pension, cash balance, and nonqualified executive plans. With a holistic service model — including comprehensive financial advice and wellness program — we help employers implement and maintain a well-documented governance process to drive the success of their retirement benefits, address industry changes, foster employee engagement to make savings as productive as possible, meet the broad requirements of plan fiduciaries, and mitigate risks.
At CAPTRUST, enriching lives is our purpose! We are a specialty, mission-driven investment advisor with 100% of our energies and focus dedicated to servicing our clients, thinking strategically, and executing with integrity. As a recognized thought leader, we offer meaningful scale, access, depth of resources, and leverage. Our clients appreciate that we are laser-focused, independent, unbiased, work collaboratively across the nation, and employ over a thousand professionals who are deeply passionate about improving client experiences and employee retirement outcomes. This creates tremendous consistency in our processes, dedication to quality, and continual innovation; and ultimately leads to more emphasis on improving the participant and plan sponsor experiences and outcomes.
We understand retirement plans represent a substantial financial investment and remain critical for a competitive benefit offering across a multigenerational workforce. We embrace your unique circumstances and employee demographics in considering and implementing desired changes, resulting in integrated and customized solutions for a high-service, cost-effective, optimized retirement benefit program to help you attract and retain the best talent, while giving valued employees the opportunity to enjoy a secure retirement.
We are your dedicated Human Resources and benefit professional advocates, readily available to solve critical challenges, while respecting your time, budget, and operational constraints. Our centralized structure draws observations from all our clients’ experiences and our in-house experts, to identify leading-edge trends across our national footprint, providing rich, nuanced understanding and continuous oversight of the retirement industry. It is our job to peak around the corner to proactively bring you this value-added insight and clarity, as well as targeted, actionable advice tailored to your dynamics so you can manage the day-to-day responsibilities yet maintain strategic preparedness for what is to come.
Looking for a fresh perspective, benchmarking your match, help with your challenges, or considering changes such as a total plan reset, Mega Back Door and Super-Roth, in-plan guarantee, auto-features, managed accounts, collective trusts? Please reach out to Karen or James – we’d love to help!
New Business Development
Founded Xentina Digital Group in 2004, a digital marketing agency based in Mission Viejo, California with production offices in Argentina, South Africa, India and Malaga, Spain where he currently resides with his wife and twin daughters. Over the last twenty years, Dante has used his artistry and technological wizardry to assist companies from around the world to broadcast their messages to a wider audience through high-powered web and graphic design services such us:
Founder
20+ Years of HR Experience Meets AI Expertise
Kari Naimon, the founder of AixHR, boasts an impressive track record with over two decades of expertise in the full scope of HR, including pivotal roles at companies like Amazon, Toyota, Qualcomm, and General Dynamics. Her career has spanned across the globe, with significant contributions both in the EU and New Zealand.
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) marked a turning point in her career, sparking a profound transformation in her professional outlook. Initially, Kari’s interest in AI was driven by a personal fascination with its capabilities. However, this quickly evolved into a broader vision. Dedicated to helping others recognize and harness the power of AI, Kari leveraged her extensive experience and global perspective to make a meaningful impact in the field.
At the heart of AixHR lies a mission to kindle a passionate and fearless approach among HR professionals towards Ai. Kari and her team are committed to creating transformative experiences. They aim to generate those pivotal Ai-Aha moments that empower individuals to unleash the full potential of Ai in their work. Kari’s journey from personal curiosity to pioneering change in the HR field exemplifies her dedication to innovation and empowerment in the realm of human resources.
Abode Communities
Jerry A. Gonzales II serves as Abode Communities’ vice president, talent and culture and is responsible for the oversight and implementation of Abode Communities’ people strategy including staff recruitment, professional development, and racial justice and equity initiatives.
Previously he worked with the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art where he served as Director, Human Resources for three years. As a founding team member, he shaped core human resource systems including the development of core human capital systems including pay management, equitable compensation and classification guidelines, recruitment protocols and staffing plans emphasizing diversity and accessibility, development of comprehensive health and welfare packages for staff, and performance management protocols.
Gonzales is a Senior Professional in Human Resources with the Human Resources Certification Institute; a SHRM Senior Certified Professional from the Society of Human Resources; and a Certified Trainer in Managing Workplace Conflict from Eckerd College’s Mediation Training Institute. He is also a member of the National Human Resources Association, Los Angeles Chapter’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Council.
His depth of experiences includes work for the Leadership for Educational Equity in Washington, DC where he was Head of Talent, Learning and Culture; The Broad Center as its Deputy Director, Operations; and for 13 years, University of California, Los Angeles serving in executive roles at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Community Programs Office (CPO), and the Samahang Pilipino Advancing Community Empowerment (SPACE) Project.
Gonzales earned a Bachelor of Arts from University of California, Los Angeles.
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for IMA Financial Group
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For more than a century, Inspirus has been a leader in rewards, recognition and employee engagement — helping companies transform their culture in meaningful, sustainable ways. Through our technology enabled solutions and services, we empower organizations with the tools and expertise they need to transform the employee experience.
ring joy to work, one experience at a time—it’s our passion and the BIG idea that motivates us each day. Most importantly, it’s the way we help companies ensure their people feel valued, connected and a deep sense of belonging. Emotional ties that foster greater loyalty, performance, productivity and success in the workplace.
While most companies believe recognizing individuals for their achievements, contributions and years of service is important, not everyone walks the walk. Every day, countless organizations miss the opportunity to harness the full potential of their greatest resource—their people.
As a vital part of Sodexo Benefits & Rewards Services (BRS), a division of the multinational Sodexo Group, the people of Inspirus leverage this remarkable opportunity to benefit our clients. Our efforts are strengthened by Sodexo’s global reach, and something more: a guiding principle for positive change—improving quality of life for everyone.
Gig Talent is a modern talent collective focused on helping consultants and coaches do the work they love and organizations connect with first-class HR and coaching talent to help achieve business results.
We provide HR and coaching solutions for organizations who want to tap into the on-demand talent economy by growing or augmenting their internal teams with expert talent. Gain flexibility while reducing complexity.
Join the Gig Talent community designed to enable talented professionals to work the way they want. Providing support in the areas that can be barriers for people to join the independent workforce, we’re committed to working to ensure you have the tools to thrive as an independent consultant or coach. Our goal is to support people living their best life while using their passions to help organizations succeed.
Health is at the core of everything we do. We are proud to lead healthcare innovations and community wellness.
At Humana, we work to improve healthcare and make it more accessible. We have high expectations for ourselves and our suppliers in order to deliver our best to the communities we serve.
Our Bold Goal is a population health strategy to help the communities we serve be 20% healthier by 2020 by making it easier for people to achieve their best health.
Senior Director Business Development Inspirus | Sodexo Benefits and Rewards Services, USA
Employees play a large part in defining a company’s culture – their everyday experiences create the foundational structure that drives an organization to be strong, high-performing, and ultimately successful. Through our technology and integrated solutions, we elevate the employee experience and optimize organizational culture by providing a holistic approach throughout the entire employee journey. Inspirus aims to bring joy to work, one experience at a time.
I am so fortunate to work with leaders in a variety of industries to create valuable employee experiences through recognition, communication and leadership. I’m a “people connector” and actively look for new opportunities to expand business in a mutually beneficial way. I enjoy being part of a team and executing effective strategies to improve how employees are valued within the workplace to help companies attract, retain and engage their talent. I’m a life-long learner with a deep appreciation for personal and professional relationships. My volunteer efforts includes working with non-profit boards and committees, including National Human Resources Association, Los Angeles, and Recognition Professionals International.
National Wellness Executive | Passion for Productivity and Wellness | Partnering with Agents, Clients, and Brokers
Throughout my years in the wellness industry, I have observed the American mindset shift in regards to wellness as people strive to integrate wellness into their daily lifestyle. As an intricate part of strategic wellness partnerships with large clients, I have tackled the hurdles that members may encounter, such as the fear of “big brother” or simply not knowing where to start. These key experiences that members face lay the groundwork for the real and personal connections that I strive to make with each and every client, agent, broker I come in contact with. My personal goal is to promote wellness and live it out for each group I serve. My personal story allows me to connect to leaders and decision makers as I navigate my own wellness journey of: weight loss, hypertension and exercise training. These crucial conversations allow for the breakdown of barriers mounted on the fear of the unknown and allows for a solid relationship mounted on personal relationship and trust.
I am also able to apply my formal learning through my education of M.S. in Kinesiology and Health Promotion from the University of Kentucky to improve the wellness culture of my clients. With these experiences, both in the classroom and out with clients, I have learned that wellness takes a holistic and out- of- the- box approach to engage members of all spectrums.
IMA
Employees want benefits, and businesses need to save while delivering value to hard-working teams. What if you had experts in health insurance, wellness programs and other benefits at your fingertips?
IMA offers a comprehensive suite of value-added services. We work closely with Human Resources Professionals to analyze current plans and identify coverage needs, then leverage relationships with underwriters to design terms and coverage for disability, vision, dental and health insurance.
IMA’s clientele represents annual premiums of more than $500 million, and we serve many sectors, with education, nonprofits and social services being best represented.
In every relationship, we rely on these fundamentals:
✔ People-first: Our style is consultative, and clients think of us as an extension of their team
✔ Beyond Insurance: We offer expertise in loss-control, ergonomics and more
✔ National and Global Resources: IMA is licensed in all 50 states
✔ A Culture of Engagement: A happy staff translates to happy clients
Our internal approach to your business is collaborative and allows us to be proactive, to stay on track and anticipate the needs of your growing business. IMA is unique in its approach to fielding client inquiries before and after plan implementation.
We’re honored that the Insurance and Brokers of the West (IABA) named IMA a top five broker and Agency of the Year.
If I can help you review coverage and create a custom employee benefits plan, reach out to me.
Nicole Ramirez
Associate Broker, Employee Benefits
(626) 507-1029 direct
(626) 922-7465 mobile
Specialties:
✔Employee benefits and HR support
✔Compliance services
✔Property and casualty insurance
✔Personal risk management
✔Alternative funding solutions
✔Talent acquisition services
✔Wellness programs
✔Industry specialists
✔Risk management and loss control
Nissin Foods
Creative, results-oriented Human Resources Leader with highly developed analytical and problem solving skills, proven strategic development abilities combined with the ability to collaborate with top organizational management to align organizations, culture and people to meet the needs of rapidly changing businesses, improve efficiency, productivity to achieve business objectives. Bilingual Spanish.
Specialties: Change agent, strategic partner, relationship builder, business alignment, shareholder focused, mentor, coach, leader, manager, and functional team-builder.
HRL Laboratories, LLC
Paula is an energetic Human Resources Leader with in-depth, broad-based Human Resources and organization development experience in start-up companies, turnarounds and market leaders in telecommunications, financial services, technology and energy research industries. A member of the various Human Resources teams. Proven analytical, and negotiation skills and reputation of leadership, professional coaching, management acumen and operational execution.
