Chris Bryant
President
Chris joined the team at SDEA in 2010. Prior to coming to SDEA she was a financial services professional specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Performance Management, Finance and Training at a local, statewide and national levels.
Chris has great passion for her volunteer activities. She currently serves as the Treasurer and Secretary for the National Board of the American Lung Association, Treasurer for the Children’s Health Fund, is a Board Member of Combined Health Agencies and Finance Committee Member for the Council of Community Clinics.
Chris’s other joys include her husband Bill and son Spenser.
Jennifer Jacobus, PHR-CA
Director of HR Services
Jennifer has worked for the SDEA since 1988 and is considered an expert in the field of Human Resources. Jennifer conducts Human Resources audits, drafts and reviews employee handbooks, and provides advice and assistance with employer-employee/employment related issues for the SDEA membership.
Jennifer has created and conducted training in the areas of employment law, exempt and non-exempt status, independent contractors, and handbook dos and don’ts.
Jennifer is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) nationally as well as with the state of California, through the Human Resources Certificate Institute. She also received a Human Resources certification through the College of Extended Studies through the University of California San Diego.
Jennifer is a long-standing member of both the National and local chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management, and a member of the Executive Association of San Diego.
Jenny Kazan-Mills
Human Resources Consultant
Jenny joined San Diego Employers Association in February of 2013. Prior to coming to SDEA, she worked as a Human Resources professional for various small businesses and large corporations in both the private and public sectors.
She has a wide range of human resources management experience including experience in the manufacturing, financial services, biotechnology, non-profit and government sectors. She has performed a full-range of human resources professional functions from talent management, benefits administration, employee relations, training and development and implementing business strategic initiatives. Jenny is affiliated with the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the San Diego Forum. She is a graduate of San Diego State University.
Jenny enjoys volunteer work, exercise, travel and spending time with her friends and family. She’s a big fan of San Diego sports teams including the Padres, Chargers and Aztecs. She is also a professional tennis fan.
Eileen Conlon
Marketing Coordinator
Eileen joined the SDEA team in April 2012 after a spontaneous move to San Diego from Philadelphia, PA. Eileen’s combined professional and customer-focused experience, paired with event planning and marketing background have allowed her to thrive within the SDEA organization. Prior to her relocation to San Diego Eileen worked as Executive Assistant and then later Sales and Marketing Associate for a prestigious Philadelphia law firm.
Eileen received her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Richard Stockton College of NJ in 2002 after spending time working with the Kenyan Wildlife Service. Although no longer practicing in this field Eileen enjoys spending her free time volunteering with the San Diego Humane Society Pet-Assisted Therapy Program.
Whether it be sky diving or trying out for The Amazing Race, Eileen is always anxious to try new things and travel to far off places. Eileen is a proud member of the Junior League of San Diego and looks forward to her continued contribution to the San Diego community.
Linda Kurtz, SPHR-CA
Member Relations Manager
Linda joined the SDEA team in December 2012 as Member Relations Manager. Give her a call to learn more about our member services. She is a native Californian and graduate of San Diego State University’s School of Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources. Linda has a broad background in HR Management, policies and practice. She holds professional designations in strategic Human Resources, California Employment Law, Corporate Wellness and Advanced Career Strategies.
Linda has offered her management and HR expertise as a volunteer in support of various non-profits is San Diego to include a juvenile justice mediation center (SDRJMP) and fund raising for educational institutions. Currently Linda volunteers with the La Jolla Boardroom and Experienceship: A Training Program for the 21st Century, offering career advice for professionals in transition. Other interests include wellness and integrated healing, hiking with her black lab Magnolia, spending time with her family, swimming and cooking. Linda’s favorite local escape destination is Lake Arrowhead.
Judy Gallegos
Bookkeeper
Judy Gallegos joined the San Diego Employers Association team in the Spring of 2010 providing contract bookkeeping services to the firm. Judy Gallegos holds a degree in Business Administration and Finance from San Diego State University. Judy is an enrolled agent to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and is a principal in the bookkeeping services firm of Gallegos, Inc.
Judy is an active member of the San Diego community, Past President of the Poway Rotary Club, and Past Treasurer of the San Diego Genealogical Society. Judy is a third generation native Californian whose family settled in California in 1898.
Outside of her busy work schedule Judy enjoys genealogy and travel. She has had the opportunity to travel to 23 countries on six continents; many of those trips were made to participate in humanitarian events and projects.
Lauren Cajka
Administrative Assistant
Lauren joined the SDEA team in August 2012 as Administrative Assistant and continues to grow her responsibilities within the organization by assisting the sales and marketing departments. A San Diego native, Lauren returned home after receiving her B.A. in Political Science, from California State University, Northridge and is very happy to be back.
In additional to her position with SDEA Lauren offers service mediation and hopes to work towards her Mediation certification and begin mediating in other fields. In what spare time Lauren has, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. She also loves watching classic movies, cooking and traveling.
