DRiWaterstone Human Capital Recruits CEO for the San Diego Workforce Partnership

January 27, 2025 – Arlington, VA-based DRiWaterstone Human Capital has helped to recruit Rachel Bereza as president and CEO of the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Senior consultant BJ Davis led the assignment. The appointment follows an extensive nationwide search that attracted over 130 candidates. “Rachel’s appointment signals our county-wide commitment to bold, innovative solutions for San Diego’s workforce development industry.  We look forward to working with her,” said San Diego County supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe and chair of the San Diego Workforce Consortium Policy board.

“Rachel Bereza brings exactly the kind of innovative leadership San Diego needs to prepare our workforce for good jobs today and in the future,” said Sean Elo-Rivera, president of San Diego City Council. “Her proven track record of securing major funding and implementing successful workforce programs across California will help ensure our city remains competitive and creates quality job opportunities for all San Diegans.”

“San Diego’s economic future depends on developing talent that’s ready for tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Kurling Robinson, San Diego WDB chair. “Rachel Bereza’s extensive experience across California makes her the right leader to ensure San Diegans have access to quality career pathways and well-paying jobs.”

“The San Diego Workforce Partnership is pleased to welcome Rachel Bereza as our new CEO,” said Jamie Gardner, interim vice-chair of the workforce development board. “Rachel is committed to increasing economic mobility, helping our businesses grow, and preparing all San Diegans for bright futures.”

Ms. Bereza’s selection follows a notable career spanning farmworker advocacy, vocational training, and homelessness solutions. Most recently, as deputy chief executive officer at Sacramento Steps Forward, she led internal and external operations and program innovation.

“Today, San Diego stands at a critical crossroads of economic opportunity and transformation,” said Ms. Bereza. “I’m looking forward to assuming my new role with the Workforce Partnership and drawing upon my experience in workforce development, from grassroots programs to statewide initiatives, to create innovative pathways to prosperity for all San Diegans.”

Related: DRiWaterstone Human Capital Recruits Inaugural Executive Director for the West Virginia First Foundation

The San Diego Workforce Partnership is a public benefit corporation that provides regional job training. It is overseen by a public-sector policy board comprised of elected officials who make funding decisions and a majority private-sector workforce development board, which determines the region’s training needs. Personnel decisions are made by the joint personnel committee, which comprises three of the policy board and three of the workforce development board members. The six-person joint personnel committee conducted a national call for search firms and led a thorough review of all proposals received. Of the eleven proposals, they chose two executive search firms to advance to a rigorous interview stage with the committee. DRiWaterstone Human Capital was selected based on its extensive experience placing diverse and tenured candidates in leadership roles.

Non-Profit Organization

San Diego Workforce Partnership is a quasi-public, non-profit organization that funds programs, implements initiatives, and brings together key players from county and city governments, and economic, educational, and workforce sectors across the San Diego region. They are part of a national network of nearly 500 workforce development boards, established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In California, they operate under the guidance of the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) and serve as the designated workforce board for San Diego county and city.

Created through a recent merger between DRi and Waterstone Human Capital, DRiWaterstone Human Capital is a culture-centric executive search, leadership advisory, and human capital firm focused on helping mission and purpose-driven organizations across the U.S. build high performance teams and cultures. The firm’s team of talent management professionals has placed over 1,000 exceptional executives since it opened in 2001.

The firm offers executive search services focused on helping clients achieve sustainable organizational and cultural growth by finding leaders who align to the organization’s purpose, and who can help take the organization and its culture to the next level. DRiWaterstone Human Capital also offers a full portfolio of cultural talent management and leadership advisory services (including culture assessment, culture measurement, and culture curation) – to help organizations put culture at the center of strategy and drive success.

Related: DRiWaterstone Human Capital Recruits New Leader for Michigan Radio

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

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