Board of Directors

Executive board of directors 2017 - 2019

Derrick Washington, President

With more than 25 years of experience in the human resources and employee relations industry, Derrick is responsible for HR strategy and operations, administration and logistics management. Derrick facilitates the development of overall HR strategies in support of a company’s business objectives, and works with senior management to implement HR policies and objectives, especially in attracting, retaining, motivating and developing key talent. Derrick has worked in the architecture and engineering industry for more than 14 years, and was most recently a Senior Associate with DLR Group. Derrick was responsible for all human resource functions for the California, as well as having oversight of DLR Group’s health plan and other employee benefit programs. Derrick’s areas of responsibility included employee benefits, compensation, learning and development, employee relations and career services, recruitment and staffing, information management, and leadership development. Derrick is affiliated with the Urban Planning division of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). HACLA is a state-chartered public agency. It provides the largest stock of affordable housing in Los Angeles and is one of the nation’s leading public housing authorities. It is also one of the oldest, providing quality housing options and supportive services to the citizens of of Los Angeles since 1938. Collaborating with residents and public, non-profit and private entities, Derrick strives to create viable, healthy communities to empower residents to achieve financial independence

Susan Rodriguez, Vice President

Susan Rodriguez was previously CUIC Board Secretary from 2008 to 2017. Founder of her own law firm, Susan brings over 27 years of legal experience to guide employers through the complexities of California employment law. Ms. Rodriguez has a proven track record of providing practical legal solutions that enable companies to successfully assess and minimize liability so that they can focus on productivity and growth. She has represented employers before state and federal courts, as well as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition, Susan is former President of the Los Angeles Convention Center Authority. Susan Rodriguez graduated from Yale University and University of Michigan Law School. She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1990.

Lupe Aguirre Onechanh, SHRM-SCP, SPHR-CA, Secretary

Lupe Aguirre Onechanh has served on the Executive Board of Directors for the California Unemployment Insurance Council (CUIC) since 2004. She also previously served on the Board of Directors for the Employment Round Table of Southern California (ERTSC) which partners with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. In 2013, Ms. Aguirre Onechanh was named Latina of Influence by Hispanic Lifestyle and recognized for her accomplishments of serving the non-English speaking community. She currently directs a variety of aspects in Human Resources for an international Lifestyle Brand. With over 19 years of experience, her areas of proficiency include Risk Management (Safety/ Workers' Compensation), Employee Relations, Total Compensation/ Benefits, Diversity, Social Responsibility, Performance Management, Training & Development, Change Management, and Conflict Resolution.

Maria Giese, Treasurer

Maria Giese has been a Finance and Human Resources professional for more than 25 years. Maria has held various Finance and Human Resources positions in the manufacturing, distribution and professional services industries. As Controller, Maria is responsible for generating monthly, and annual financial statements, and budgets. Maria leads an organization focused on driving the company’s workforce strategy including talent acquisition, development, rewards and workplace experience. Mrs. Giese has been an active member of SHRM and PIHRA for over eight years. Maria earned her degrees from California State University Los Angeles.

Tobias Kennedy, Advisor

Tobias Kennedy has been in the benefits industry over a decade and currently holds the position of Executive Vice President for a leading full-service insurance brokerage firm and Third Party Administrator. He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University (LMU) where he studied Political Science at the Center for the Study of Los Angeles. He has been nominated multiple times for the SFVBJ’s “Top 40 Under 40” as one of the highest caliber working professionals under 40 years old in the Valley. He has received a Certificate of Recognition from the SFVBJA as a nominee for the 2012 and 2013 “Most Trusted Advisor Award” and indeed received the honor in 2015—being named by the publication as a winner of that year’s “Most Trusted Advisor Award.” Tobias has become exceedingly expert in health care reform and been a speaker to several well-regarded organizations including PIHRA, the HRD Network (California Credit Union Association), LA Financial Planners Association, LANSA, SMA’s Legal Update (a special interest chapter of SHRM), Montage’s own My HR Summit Series, a national speaker for a Christian CEO organization ‘Convene’ as one of their Health Care Reform experts, and various Boards of Directors ranging from the Los Angeles Police Credit Union’s board to the Executive team at Good Nite Inn. He is OSHA-10 and CalOSHA-10 certified serving clients in both Employee Benefits as well as Property & Casualty, and sat on the board of directors for the Staffing Management Association. Tobias was recently contacted by Lorman Education Services to conduct a 90-minute webinar for their educational content on the topic of “Level-Funding” as he is widely considered to be an expert in the field of employee benefits funding mechanisms. Tobias was also a guest speaker, asked to share his business principals at the Mountain West Credit Union Association’s CEO Board Chair Summit, and has been featured on Dr. Brandi Stankovic business podcast “The Strategic Hotbox.”

Mary G. Russell, Advisor

Mary G. Russell has been in Human Resources for over 30 years working for premier companies such as Church's Fried Chicken, Washington Inventory Service, Baxter Healthcare, Fox Entertainment Group and Portals Mental Health. She currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer with Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services (OYHFS) supporting over 400 employees in multiple locations. She is also the founder of The Grady Group, a Human Resources Company providing Human Resources generalist support, training, strategic guidance, and leadership. Mary has volunteered and/or served on numerous Boards and committees including the Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors for OYHFS; California Chamber of Commerce (HR member), Sub-safety Committee for the California Chamber of Commerce, Festival of Trees Committee for OYHFS, Advisory Council for IAM CARES (International Association of Machinists Center for Administering Rehabilitation and Employment Services) and Deacon Board, Altadena Baptist Church. She has volunteered as a trainer for the Center for Nonprofit Management in Los Angeles, California. Mary is a 17-year member of Toastmasters International. In Toastmasters, she has served in various leadership roles. In 2008, she was elected as International Director, a member of their Governing Board of Directors serving over 200,000 members in over 100 countries. She graduated from Grambling State University with a BA in Speech Pathology.

Sarah Rios, Ex Officio (Expert)

Sarah Rios previously served as CUIC Board Advisor from 2010 to 2017 and served as CUIC Board President from 2007 to 2010. Ms. Rios was also former President of Personnel Management Association of Aztlan from 2007-2008.Sarah is a senior management professional with over 30 years of experience in Human Resources (HR), with a specialty in Unemployment Insurance (UI) Management. Prior to starting her own human resources consulting service, she worked for Employment Tax Services as Director of UI Operations. During her 20-year tenure at the Employers Group, a Human Resources organization, Ms. Rios held positions as a Manager (Riverside Office), Manager of UI Services, UI Hearing Specialist, UI Workshop Trainer, and Helpline HR Consultant.

Maurizio (Mark) Smith, Ex Officio (Expert)

Maurizio (Mark) Smith is the immediate past CUIC Board President. Prior to that position he served as CUIC Vice-President and Board Advisor. Maurizio recently served as the Chairperson of the Unemployment Insurance Technical Subcommittee to the School Employer Advisory Committee. He also is a past President of the California Chapter of the Association of Unemployment Tax Organizations. Maurizio is currently employed as the Executive Director of the UI Division of the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems located in Chatsworth, providing comprehensive UI services throughout the state exclusively to hospitals and health systems. He was previously employed at the Los Angeles County Office of Education as an Unemployment Insurance Specialist, overseeing UI services to all school and community college districts, including charter schools. Prior to that, he worked as a third party administrator for several UI companies. His duties included managing offices in Los Angeles and San Diego as well as representing employers throughout California in all aspects of UI claims and appeals management.