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• Join Our Career Transition Group (free service for everyone)

  • When
    Thursday, July 31, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom Webinar

  Register

  Join Our Monthly Career Transition Group (free service for everyone)

  As an HR community, we’re committed to supporting one another—especially during times of transition. Whether you're facing unemployment or underemployment, SDHR Forum is here to help. Our Career Transition Group is a monthly virtual series designed to bring together job seekers and community leaders for guidance, encouragement, and most importantly—connection.

  Each session focuses on a key area of the job search, such as resumes, interviews, networking, and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your progress, discuss challenges, and explore ways the group can support you along the way.

  By participating, you'll gain valuable resources, renewed motivation, and a sense of community as you navigate your next career step. 

  Upcoming Session

  Date: July 31 at 11:00 AM
  Speaker: Mel Fairleigh
  Topic: Rethinking Your Job Search

  Session Summary:
  Take control of your career by rethinking your approach to the job hunt. Mel will share tips on building meaningful connections in industries you’re passionate about—and how even roles that aren’t the perfect fit can be powerful stepping stones. From 15 years at Trader Joe’s to her journey at Skechers, she’ll show how the right mindset and network can help set you up for the role you want next.

  Structure & Schedule

  • Monthly sessions — next session is July 31!
  • Each session runs 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on discussion
  • All meetings are held virtually via Zoom

  Flexible Attendance
  

  While we encourage regular participation, we understand schedules can vary—so you're welcome to join whenever you're able. Everyone is welcome!

  Zoom Access

  A session-specific Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants. Please ensure Zoom is set up on your device before the session. 

  Want to stay connected between sessions? Email info@sdhrforum.com to be added to our Career Transition LinkedIn Group.

  We look forward to having you join us!

  4.2.5

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• The Power of the Pause

  • When
    Wednesday, August 13, 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
  • Location
    Joya Kitchen - 10275 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92121
  • Spaces left
    189

  Register

  The Power of the Pause

  Summer for some is a time to slow down and enjoy a more leisurely pace of life. For others, mid-year is when the action ramps up and there is more to juggle between work, family, friends, and life. Whether you are in summertime ‘chill’ mode or racing as fast as you can, consciously determining what gets your time and attention will impact how effective you are in achieving your goals. And a purposeful pause, even in the midst of busyness can help you re-energize your HR leadership, rediscover joy in your work, and reap the rewards.

  This session, led by an executive coach and author with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience, is an opportunity to reflect on priorities, consider where relationships at work (and elsewhere in life) might be strengthened, and uncover information that will help you succeed. You may know that pauses can be powerful, yet how are you applying what you know to your daily work? Expect to leave with actionable ideas to:

  • understand where you can slow down to achieve more,
  • how fresh perspectives will open up new ways of thinking, and
  • the value of prioritizing to accomplish more for your organization, your team, and yourself.

  **Important Update:
  This month’s event will be held on Wednesday, August 13 at Joya Kitchen. Parking is available in designated areas as well as in the underground parking structure.

    
  

  We look forward to seeing you there!

  Meet Our Guest Speaker:

  Phyllis Sarkaria, The Sarkaria Group
  

  Phyllis Sarkaria is a certified executive coach, facilitator, and trusted adviser.  She has held corporate executive roles in human resources and government affairs and has had responsibility for functions as diverse as strategic planning, merger integration, and team effectiveness.  Before founding The Sarkaria Group, Phyllis served as an internal adviser and coach to C-level executives and other key employees at Quidel Corporation (now QuidelOrtho), a leading medical diagnostics manufacturer. As head of HR, she was responsible for the company’s global HR strategy and people programs for more than a dozen years. In addition, she has held financial analysis, strategic planning, government affairs, and HR roles with large, matrixed corporations in the energy industry, and has served on the teaching faculty of several universities. This diversity of experience provides a unique perspective for solving business problems and improving leadership effectiveness.

  Author of Courageous Clarity: Navigating the way forward on your leadership journey, the essential guide for leaders who want to inspire, influence, and engage their teams for greater results, Phyllis is also a published scholar on authentic leadership. She currently works with clients in a wide range of industries, serving as a catalyst to help leaders and teams gain fresh perspective and elevate their performance by building capacity within themselves to increase overall effectiveness.

  SHRM BoCK: Leadership & Navigation, Relationship Management, and Communication

  
  

  
  

       A Huge Thank You to our Annual Sponsors! 

       

             

                                 

                         
  

  
  

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  4.2.5

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• 2025 HR Executive of the Year Gala - Sponsorship Opportunities

  • When
    Friday, September 26, 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Fairmont Grand Del Mar - 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego, CA
  • Spaces left
    395

  Register

  HR Executive of the Year Gala – 10th Annual Celebration

  San Diego HR Forum’s HR Executive of the Year Gala is the largest annual gathering of HR professionals in San Diego. 2025 marks our 10th anniversary of recognizing outstanding HR executives, teams, and rising stars who are making a significant impact in their organizations and communities.

  This year, we’re excited to offer expanded sponsorship opportunities that provide increased visibility and brand exposure across the San Diego HR community — not just at the Gala, but year-round.

  We anticipate a record number of nominations across all categories, representing over 350 companies and welcoming more than 500 attendees.

  Join us as we celebrate the very best in HR leadership and innovation.

  Thank you for your support,
  SDHR Forum Board of Directors

  Learn More About Each Sponsorship Level HERE. To purchase a Sponsorship, please click on the "Register" button.

  **New This Year: We are excited to offer an automated process for securing your Executive of the Year Sponsorship and sponsorship opportunities are available on a first-come-first-serevd basis.
  
  If you require a detailed summary sheet prior to payment, would like to reserve a sponsorship opportunity but need additional time to complete payment, or would like to request an alternative payment method, please submit your request to info@sdhrforum.com. 
  
  Please note that we are only able to hold a sponsorship opportunity for 7 business days from the time of the request. If payment is not received within 7 business days, the reservation will be cancelled and the sponsorship level will be released and open for purchase once again.

  
  

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