OFI Building Blocks: How Small Businesses Can Compete Against Fortune 100 Companies

Join us to learn how your small business can use human capital to decrease costs, increase revenues, and reduce risk. We'll discuss performance management, employee development, recruiting top talent, and risk reduction.  This program is a critical component of OCTANe Foundation for Innovation's (OFI) “Building Blocks” series – a six month development program to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage, and grow a successful business.

Moderator:

Mistee Torres, SPHR, CRP 

Director, Human Capital Consulting at TriNet

Mistee leads the National Compliance Practice within TriNet and offers over 15 years of professional business experience including legal administration, operations, human resource management and sales.  Mistee specializes in human capital strategy, leadership development, employment law compliance and risk mitigation. She also brings experience in organizational development and consulting.  Mistee received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the Society for Human Resource Management.  She has completed the Executive Education Program at the Harvard School of Business.  Mistee is also a Certified Recognition Professional (CRP) through Recognition Professionals International.

Speakers:

Michael Mirel, CPA

Partner at MJ Group, LLC

An experienced CPA, Michael's career has straddled two opposite ends of the accounting and finance industry.  His time in high-tech venture-backed startups has provided him with wide-ranging knowledge of real-world accounting and finance issues.  Having been in the trenches, Michael knows what it takes for a young company to gain financial control of its destiny. On the other side of the spectrum, having spent the earlier part of his career in public accounting and more recently having managed numerous high-profile projects at Fortune 500 companies, Michael has the insight into needs of SEC clients and understands the specific needs and demands of finance departments in larger companies.  This blend of “BIG” company experience coupled with a clear understanding of the needs of early stage companies provides Michael with a solid picture of the requirements to not only identify the needs, but also provide solutions for each assignment. 

Prior to co-founding the MJ Group, Michael led the accounting and finance departments for various start ups and was a senior associate at Siegfried Resources, LLP, where he represented companies such as Warner Brothers Entertainment, Pacific Capital Bancorp, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. In addition, Michael has run early-stage accounting departments for venture-backed start ups such as CircleUp, Mota Motors, Transpera, Eternal Systems, and SourceMine.  Michael began his career at Thomashow, Brown & Paialii, LLP, where he was a Sr. Manager.

Gwen Bernal

Vice President Human Resources at CORE Real Estate Management Group

Gwen Bernal is the Vice President Human Resources for CORE Real Estate Management Group which is a commercial real estate investment, property management company in Newport Beach, CA.  Prior to joining CORE, Gwen was the HR Director for LogicalApps, an enterprise software company located in Irvine, CA.  In her role as an HR Generalist, Gwen was responsible for the implementation of the full employee life cycle, HR strategy, design and execution of services, selection, workforce planning, performance evaluation and management, and training and development.  While working at Village Nurseries in Anaheim as an Administration, Human Resources Manager she managed multiple health plans, incentive programs and retirement plans for over 500 multi-site employees.  She received her certification in human resource management from Learning Tree University in Costa Mesa, CA and attended Cal Poly Pomona.  In her spare time Gwen enjoys watching Formula 1 racing, is an aviation enthusiast and is the Activities Director of the Corona Pilots Association.

Jennifer Wiegman

Human Resources Manager, North America at Nobel Biocare USA

Jennifer Wiegman presently holds the position of Human Resources Manager, North America for Nobel Biocare USA, a leader in dental implant manufacturing.  Jennifer has over fifteen years of Human Resources experience in a variety of industries including medical device, direct marketing, telemarketing (call centers), and sales and marketing corporations.  Her strategic partnerships focus in the areas of recruitment, organizational and leadership development, staffing, performance management, and employee relations.  Jennifer holds a BA in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton, and is a Certified Facilitator.  She is also affiliated with the Society for Human Resources Management and is a former Board Member of the Professionals in Human Resources Association.

About TriNet

We help you, the small business entrepreneur, realize your ambitions by being your essential HR partner.  Our unparalleled customer service, technology, and industry expertise have already made a measurable difference to 8,000 small businesses.  As your Trusted Advisor, we help you contain your HR costs, minimize your employer-related risks, and relieve the administrative burden of HR, thus helping you focus on your number one priority – your business.  www.trinet.com

Speakers TBD.