CHRO Learning Path

As the Associate Vice President of Human Resource Business Partners | People Operations at Clarvida, Vivian Hernandez serves in collaboration with Michelle Engel, Chief Human Resource Officer, in creating and implementing ‘People Practices’ that elevate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility that promote pathways for success.

As a ‘People-Centric’ leader Vivian serves as the advocate, supporting staff, organizational leaders’ personal and professional growth and development, translating policies into effective people strategies that ensure the rights and responsibilities for both our employees and the organization.

Founder of Op2Work, a Human Resource Consultancy fostered the ability to cultivate a varied and multi-disciplinary approach to HR and People Operations. With over 15 years of hands-on HR leadership experience in Health and Human Services, Multi-State and Global Enterprises, Vivian’s approach to HR and People is about bringing the ‘Human’ back to Human Resources.

As a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources, Vivian leads transformational change with a data-focused and people-centric approach. Earning a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Ana G Mendez in Puerto Rico, a B.A. in Leadership and Organizational Development from the University of Colorado Denver, and a M.S. in Human Resource Management, Vivian remains connected with the needs of our ever-evolving workforce and creates people practices that foster growth and success.

Did You Know?

I dream of a world where employees feel valued and supported. Where employees can thrive. For me, transforming organizational cultures, policies and practices is about removing barriers and creating pathways for success.

Jim Costello joined Pathways in July 2023 and since then has been leading the talent acquisition function. His projects have focused on the design and implementation of the new ATS and Careers page, standardizing and improving processes in relation to the TA function, working with business leaders to help with new and innovative methods to recruit candidates into the business as well as retaining current employees.

Prior to Pathways Jim was the Global Talent Acquisition Director at Ultra which supported the Defense industry. At Ultra Jim worked with the marketing team to contribute to the company rebrand, was a leader for the DEI Improvement project and helped the organization grow during the pandemic by implementing new policies that were attractive to the evolving candidate market. In addition to his time at Ultra, Jim has led staffing agencies with focuses in the medical, engineering, manufacturing, and finance fields.

Jim graduated from Roberts Wesleyan University where he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business.

Did you know?

The reason I wanted to join Pathways was to be a part of the creative process of building something. I found the challenge of coming in and helping the company move forward and advance my team was an opportunity that was exciting for me and I am thankful to not just be a number in an organization.

Mike Ernst, SHRM-SCP, is Devereux’s senior vice president of People Operations. In this role, Ernst develops roadmaps for, and executes, all employee-related initiatives. Specifically, he is responsible for innovation in the following areas: talent acquisition, engagement and retention, employee development, and total rewards, along with further strengthening Devereux’s culture and employment environment.

Prior to joining Devereux, Ernst was the vice president of Human Resources at NHS Human Services (now Merakey). While at NHS, Ernst managed the organization’s people strategies and Human Resources activities, including: professional development and education, Human Resources business management and services, and talent acquisition and labor relations activities for more than 10,000 employees. Before that, he served in the following roles: worldwide director of Human Resources at Drug Information Association in Horsham, Pennsylvania; senior consultant/strategist at CBI Group in Newark, Delaware; director of Human Resources at the Office of the Governor Mitt Romney in Boston, and vice president of Human Resources/operations for CGN Marketing and Creative Services in Boston. Ernst started his career as a residential counselor and acting program manager with Devereux Pennsylvania.

Ernst holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mount Saint Mary’s University and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from West Chester University. He earned a Senior Human Resources Certificate from Villanova University.

Iris Sandoval currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Emergence Health Network. She has over 12 years of progressive experience in Human Resources with various Fortune 500 companies and non-profit and health care administrators. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, although her educational goals led her to spend over ten years in Albuquerque, NM.

In a previous role, Iris started a Human Resources Department from its inception, bringing policy and regulation to a growing Healthcare Administrator in New Mexico. Since then, she has grown her career serving in all major functions of the Human Resources field. Her passion for people and the community of El Paso led her back home. In January of 2023, Iris was awarded the Human Resources Professional of the Year by the Society for Human Resources Management, El Paso chapter. She was selected for mentoring employees, openly sharing her knowledge, and advancing the Human Resources profession in the El Paso Community.

Mrs. Sandoval holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Spanish and a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and Finance. She is currently attending the Wharton School and anticipates completing the CHRO program in June of 2025. She is a certified SHRM and PHR professional.

Elle Macias, PHR, has served as the Director of HR Operations for Gaudenzia since 2020. She has over 13 years of leadership experience that has been dedicated to human resources and strategic business operations. Her innovative strategies have led to notable accomplishments throughout her professional career, and she is known for her unique ability to balance the best interests of both her employer and her employees simultaneously. She leads with a servant’s heart and is passionate about sharing her expert knowledge and professional experiences with others so they are empowered to become the influential leaders they seek to be.

Patrisha Williams is the Director of Talent Management for Gaudenzia, Inc. with over twenty years of Human Resources experience. Patrisha earned 4 college degrees, most notable is her master’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in Human Resources Management.

Patrisha previously served on the Board of the American Heritage Credit Union and was the recipient of Gaudenzia’s most prestigious recognition, the “Employee of the Year Award (2015),” awarded to individuals for their outstanding efforts, extreme endurance in professional growth, and excellent job performance. Patrisha was featured in two of Gaudenzia’s blogs, Women Leaders at Gaudenzia (2021) and My Frontline Story (2023), where she was recognized by Gaudenzia’s Chief People Officer who described Patrisha as “a driver of performance and a driver for producing quality results. Her skills have helped Gaudenzia’s Human Resources department to achieve its goals toward transformation” (Doug Hilton, Former Chief People Officer, 2023).

 With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Patrisha has led numerous successful initiatives that have significantly improved processes at Gaudenzia. Patrisha specializes in talent management and is responsible for overseeing Gaudenzia’s full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes. Patrisha is passionate about her work as a key contributor and is inspired daily by Gaudenzia’s mission, values, and operating principles, which allows her to positively impact the organization. “The destination is important, but for Patrisha, what’s most important is ensuring we hire talent that is the right fit for our organization to ensure they have an excellent employee experience” (Patrisha Williams).

Janet Butler has developed and led residential and individualized support programs for over 35 years, primarily with Community Systems, where she is the CEO and President.  Her innovative thinking and dedication to the discovery of each person’s definition of their own happiness have led to scores of remarkable success stories, most notably with persons considered too challenging to ever enjoy community success or live independently.

Ms. Butler received her degree in nursing and later a BS in Nonprofit Management from Skidmore College.  She was the Executive Director of Community Systems, Inc. in Massachusetts for more than 20 years, starting the operations and growing the organization to support 250 individuals with more than 350 staff. 

Janet assumed the role of CEO upon the retirement of the founders at CSI, who had filled their roles for more than 30 years. Prior to this role, she worked as a nurse in acute care and helped develop one of the first hospice services in southeastern Massachusetts when it was strictly charity responsibility. 

Community Systems, Inc. is a group of nonprofit organizations providing support to persons with disabilities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia, and Delaware.  The organization operates primarily in the ID/DD  but also provides brain injury services, including to disabled veterans.   For the last 15 years, the primary focus of her role has been to help build leaders.

As CEO Luke Crabtree, JD-MBA, maintains continuous oversight of Project Transition with the primary objective of ensuring competent and devoted staff are in place to serve the well-being of our members. Luke’s leadership promotes and sustains an environment that encourages a positive and forward-thinking culture. His leadership reflects the company’s commitment to its core values and mission as a recovery-driven residential treatment program.

Dr. Dixon is a licensed psychologist with over 37 years of experience in both clinical and leadership positions in the fields of behavioral health and ID/D. The primary focus of her work has been assisting people and their systems of support in transitioning out of high levels of care or incarceration into lives of their choosing in the community. Currently, she leads Project Transition and PCS Mental Health as we bolster and grow our array of community-based services and supports for people with behavioral health, substance use, and ID/D.

Rebekah serves as the Chief of Staff, overseeing the development of organizational culture, ministry, and strategy. She also leads board development and recruitment efforts alongside the CEO. Since joining the organization in 2016, Rebekah has become certified in human capital coaching and group facilitation. She uses these skills to navigate change management and strategic planning. Rebekah and her husband have one son and enjoy spending time with their family.