Who We Are
Meet the Team
The team behind InovarHR all have first-hand knowledge of the HR strategies, technologies, and solutions that help businesses of all sizes elevate their people and culture.
Andrea Nelson, SPHR, SHRM-People Analytics
Founder, CEO, Mentor
As a seasoned Human Resources Executive with over twenty-four years of experience, I specialize in cultivating high-performing cultures within private and venture-backed companies. I am certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and hold a Credential in People Analytics from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Priscilla Figueroa-Smith, SHRM-CP
Co-Founder, Human Resources Business Partner
I’m a Human Resources Business Partner for InovarHR LLC, living in Carpinteria, California. I studied Biopsychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where I was the President of the UCSB chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
My passion lies in connecting human behavior to business. As a result, I enjoy a fulfilling career in human resources and people management. In 2018, I earned my Certified Professional certificate from the Society for Human Resources Management.
I focus on the experience of every corporate event or HR program. I aim for impact and use data and design-thinking strategies to solve engagement and performance problems. I move quickly, show up as a leader, use data to drive decision-making, and take a human-centric approach to designing people systems. I’m passionate about empowering women and minorities in careers in STEM.
I find great fulfillment in volunteering for organizations that give back to young professionals. I co-founded the Emerging Professional of the Santa Barbara HR Association (SBHRA) and currently hold a board position in the Junior League of the Central Coast.
I enjoy off-roading in the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties’ countryside, home renovation projects, yoga, wine tasting, running, and traveling.
Sonja Smith
Strategic Human Resources Business Partner
With over 25 years of global experience in People & Culture, I bring a wealth of knowledge that has empowered me to scale HR functions for diverse tech start-ups and businesses across various industries. I earned my bachelor’s degree in HR Management in the UK before moving to California in 2013.
From 2018 to 2021, I served on the Santa Barbara HR Association Board as Co-Chair of Professional Development and continue to mentor and guide HR professionals. Passionate about building infrastructure and leveraging technology to enhance organizational development, I specialize in talent acquisition and development, compensation, and performance management.
As a skilled business partner, I collaborate with managers and executives to improve efficiency and foster cohesion, driving shared goals and business objectives. My can-do attitude fosters a positive mindset, enabling me to effectively navigate workplace challenges and contribute to a collaborative and productive work environment. I take great pride in seeing individuals thrive and succeed in their careers.
Currently, I live in Goleta with my husband and dog. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing a book I am determined to publish, and nurturing my collection of succulents.
Sandra Daniele
Strategic HR Business Partner and Executive Leadership Coach
I am a seasoned professional with a diverse skill set and a wealth of experience in the realms of business, finance, and human resources. Armed with an MBA from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in finance, I possess a solid academic foundation that underpins success in the corporate world.
With over two decades of dedicated service in the field of HR, I have honed my expertise as a strategic business partner. My astute understanding of organizational dynamics and ability to navigate complex corporate environments make me an invaluable asset to any team or executive suite. Beyond my academic and professional credentials, I am also recognized as a Certified Professional Coach. This designation speaks to my commitment to personal and professional development, as well as my innate ability to inspire and motivate others towards achieving their goals.
What truly sets me apart is my unique blend of analytical acumen and emotional intelligence. I possess a keen eye for identifying opportunities for business efficiency and optimization, while also demonstrating a deep understanding of the human element within organizations. My capacity to empathize and connect with high-level executives enables me to provide guidance and support that transcends traditional HR functions, fostering a culture of collaboration and success.
I am a dynamic professional who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every endeavor I undertake. My strategic mindset, coupled with my empathetic approach, makes me a trusted advisor and leader in the ever-evolving landscape of business and human resources.
Chelsea Krakowski
People Development and Sales Enablement
Over the last dozen years, I have had the opportunity to scale global organizations, lead through hyper growth to IPO and transform organizations from the inside out by unleashing the power of their employees. I believe the people space is thirsty for innovation and I connect the dots across many of the interwoven components of the employee lifecycle to attract, engage, develop and retain high-performing teams.
Throughout my career I have built scalable, future-proofed solutions to grow revenue, engage remote teams, and work alongside leadership to innovate the people space. Having traveled to 35 countries I have a deep perspective on culture and communication that show up in my work across people development and employee engagement. I bring creativity and ingenuity to culture formation and preservation, find creative ways to do more with less, and keep people at the center of growth.
I help companies tap into their existing human capital, unleashing potential, unifying teams, and creating a competitive advantage. My broad scope across enablement, L&D, people development, and employee engagement gives me a holistic view of proven strategies for rapidly growing companies.
Mary Knezevic
Strategic Human Resources Business Partner
Bio coming soon!
Meet some of our Partners
Kim Andrade, MS, SPHR
Spotlight Business Partners
Kim has built expertise in culture and people over a 20-year career in human resources, earning her credibility as a trusted and strategic leader. Kim has crafted and delivered solutions in organizational design, alignment of HR strategy, and initiatives to the business, all while maintaining focus on culture, values, and communication. The majority of her career has been in an international and culturally diverse environment, allowing Kim to coach, advise, design and execute in a variety of topics and contexts. Kim is a leader recognized for her passion and relentless commitment to developing talent, from senior leadership to early career professionals. Kim’s niche is influencing cultural alignment through leadership and behavior. As a facilitator, Kim focuses on retained learning and sustained behavioral change by connecting with the audience and utilizing a hands-on “learn by doing” environment. As a coach, Kim rigorously supports clients in harvesting their learning, owning their power, reaching their potential, and aligning their values, life balance, and career.
Mariaelena Welch, MA, PCC, EQC, BSME
VITA LEADERSHIP
Mariaelena began her career as an engineer and was a leader and executive for over 25 years before founding VITA Leadership. Her talent for managing people and complex issues led to leadership roles where she gained extensive experience in sales and consulting management, business process optimization, product and software development, and operations. She specializes in Emotional Intelligence and uses this to support her clients’ ability to be more successful leaders, decision-makers, and change agents by utilizing the information behind their emotions as a strategic resource, in conjunction with cognitive reasoning and planning. She is a Preferred Partner and certified Emotional Intelligence Coach and Facilitator with the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network. She is a faculty member of their ICF-accredited EQ Coach and Coaching Equity Essentials Programs. She holds a MA in Organizational Leadership and Development and teaches leadership development courses at UC of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College.
Eric Zackrison, Ph.D.
IDI.US Inc.
After a 30-year career as a manager and restaurateur, Eric returned to school to earn his MA in communication, his MBA at Missouri State University, and his Ph.D. in Organizational Communication at the University of California Santa Barbara. His research interests focus on coordination in complex organizations, team dynamics, leadership, and relationships in the workplace. He has been teaching in the Technology Management Program since 2017, working with both undergrad and grad students on management, leadership, strategy, communication, and persuasion. Eric is also the president and CEO of IDI.US Inc., which controls the rights to the Interpersonal Dynamics Inventory (IDI)—a powerful multi-rater personality and behavioral styles measurement tool. He also spends his time consulting with Effectiveness Consultants—working with a wide range of organizations in leadership development, team building, strategy, and relational management. Whether it is leading his own businesses, working in the classroom, or working with clients, Eric is guided by the understanding that managing relationships is at the core of better leadership and management, stronger teams, and more successful organizations.
Carolina Salazar
TALNTD
Carolina Salazar founded TALNTD, a one-step connection to an international network. Originally from Chile, she worked and lived in The Netherlands for almost a decade before moving to Barcelona. Carolina has been a top international headhunter and talent agent for over ten years at leading global search and recruitment firms. In an age when everything is increasingly impersonal and digital, she believes there is still a place for a more human-based search and recruitment process. She also believes a real-life network, deeply developed instincts, and a personal touch still mattered, especially for the very best and ambitious. From these convictions, TALNTD was born.
Corporate Gratitude
We would like to thank The Waterman Hotel and Shannon Jayne Photography in Santa Barbara, for their generosity. Pictures were taken by Shannon Jayne Photography at The Waterman Hotel in Santa Barbara.
