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Category: Disability

A CLIENT PRIMER: HOW LEAVE LAWS FIT TOGETHER

Posted August 12, 2026

Our HR team manages hundreds of leaves each year, with daily review of specific situations to ensure each leave is properly evaluated and managed. We also have multiple client discussions each week to talk about why an employees’ leave extension request has to be considered, why an employee’s new leave request might be required when they were already off an extended period of time, and other challenges. We always… Read more »

NO LIABILITY FOR UNDISCLOSED DISABILITY

Posted June 10, 2026

In rare, good news, a California appeals court recently affirmed summary judgement for an employer who had no knowledge of an employee’s bipolar disorder when terminating him for violating the company’s workplace violence policy. Termination followed several incidents that caused supervisors and co-workers to be concerned, with the employee never raising a need for medical accommodation. That was only submitted after termination via a doctor’s note. According… Read more »

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Theresa Montez

Lead Senior Benefits Specialist, CPSP

Theresa brings extensive experience across both healthcare and insurance to her role as Lead Senior Benefits Specialist. She began her career as a Lead Medical Assistant in a high-volume urgent care setting before advancing to an Office and OR Manager position within a surgical practice. These roles strengthened her operational expertise, attention to detail, and ability to guide individuals through complex and sensitive processes.

In her current role, Theresa leads benefits onboarding and provides ongoing support for both new and established clients. She oversees the collection and organization of benefit plan details, ensuring her team has a complete and accurate understanding of each client’s administrative requirements. She supports new clients through implementation, oversees annual renewals, day-to-day benefits assistance, and ensures all annual reporting and compliance requirements are fulfilled accurately and on schedule.

Theresa holds a CPSP certification through the Plan Sponsor Council of America and is committed to continuous professional development to stay current with the evolving benefits landscape.

Outside of work, Theresa enjoys attending music festivals and concerts, spending time in sunny, beach-side settings, and exploring her passion for interior decorating and organization.

Benefits Team Vision:

To redefine benefits administration through expertise, innovation, and compliance- making the experience seamless, impactful, and future-ready while delivering lasting value to our clients and their employees.

[email protected]

415.495.5725

Melanie Elenes

Lead Payroll Specialist

Melanie joined the team in 2017 as a Payroll Specialist, later moving to the Lead Payroll Specialist position. She brought with her an expanded background involving payroll, human resources, accounting, and business management. In 2010, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies with strong emphasis in both Employment Law and Mediation.

Before returning to the business sector, she was a full-time substitute high school teacher while raising her family. She taught Creative Writing, ESL, Spanish, Migrant Studies, Drama, Music Theory, Band and Choir, along with partnering in a behavioral modification program to counsel at-risk youth. She also served as a Grant Writer and PTA Treasurer, bringing in funding for multiple after school programs which provided tutoring & STEM classes in English, Spanish & Hmong. During the terms she served, she earned the Outstanding Volunteer and Recognition of Service Awards.

In her downtime, she treasures it spent with loved ones. She participates in the performing arts including musical events and fire dancing. She enjoys kayaking, traveling, visiting art museums, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

Payroll Team Vision:

To continually elevate the standard of payroll support through professional mastery, innovation and trusted relationships.

[email protected]

415.495.5725

Lisa Fries

Administrative Manager

With five years of experience in Human Resources, Lisa has grown from supporting onboarding processes to serving as an HR Specialist and leading the HR administrative team. She brings in-depth knowledge of establishing and maintaining compliant onboarding, as well as managing employee benefits with accuracy and care.

After moving to the Central Coast in 2015, Lisa quickly fell in love with the community and the lifestyle it offers. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with family and staying connected to the place she now proudly calls home.

HR Administration Team Vision:

To create seamless and reliable HR experiences where every employee feels supported from day one, and every process strengthens trust, accuracy, and organizational excellence.

[email protected]

415.495.5725

Tamara Castillo

Lead Senior HR Generalist, PHRca

Tamara Castillo is the Lead Senior HR Generalist. She joined this amazing team in 2020, bringing nearly two decades of experience in human resources, specializing in a wide range of HR functions. Tamara holds a PHRca certification and leads our talented Generalist team as well as works closely with our benefits, payroll, and HR administration team to ensure smooth and effective HR operations for our clients.

She calls Northern California home and is a proud parent of three amazing kids, two labradoodles, and a cat— with hopes of adding more pets in the future. When she’s not in the office, you’ll often find her out exploring and enjoying new experiences.

HR Generalist Team Vision:

To be the trusted HR team our clients can rely on by providing expert guidance, ensuring compliance, and delivering support with care so they can focus on other aspects of their business. As HR Generalists, we build strong relationships with our clients to gain a deep understanding of their unique cultures and operational needs. Through these partnerships, we offer practical, compliant, and strategic HR solutions aligned with California and federal regulations. Our goal is to promote best practices that strengthen workplaces and empower organizations to thrive.

[email protected]

415.495.5725

David Wiley

Client Implementation Manager

With 15 years of experience as an analyst, accountant, and banking professional, David joined the Your People Professionals team in 2024, bringing with him a broad foundation of knowledge and expertise. As the Client Implementation Manager, he assists with the development of new clients and is committed to ensuring that all transitions and onboarding processes for new clients are as seamless and efficient as possible. He also works with the Leadership team with our process and productivity improvement projects,

After relocating from Florida to Missouri in 2017, David has embraced the Midwest’s slower pace of life. Outside of work, he enjoys challenging himself at his local Hotworx studio and takes great pride in his son’s academic and athletic achievements.

[email protected]

415.495.5725

Steve Wilner, MBA

Business Development Manager

Steve is responsible for the sales and marketing activities of the company, along with account management responsibilities. Throughout his career, he has helped hundreds of mid-sized businesses throughout Northern California achieve the benefits and return on investment of outsourcing human resources. His broad business background, including an MBA from Santa Clara University as well as sales, technical and general management experience, gives him a keen understanding of the challenges faced everyday by business owners and managers. Prior to YPP and HRYW, Steve held sales and sales management positions with ThinkHR, HRhome, Paychex, ADP, and Bank of America.

[email protected]

415.495.2510

DiAnn Ferguson

Talent Acquisition Manager

DiAnn has a number of years of executive search experience, focusing on a wide variety of industry sectors. Prior to YPP / HRYW, she worked for some of the large executive search firms in London, New York and Boston. DiAnn’s search placement history includes positions from C-level executives and Managing Directors, to entry-level roles. Her previous career history included investment banking bond trader in London, commercial bond broker in London and Amsterdam and government bond broker on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. DiAnn’s depth of experience makes her uniquely qualified to manage the search process for a variety of positions, with continually demonstrated success for our clients.

DiAnn is an avid golfer, Latin and ballroom dancer, and world traveler.

[email protected]

805.928.5725 Ext. 102

Amy Madden, MBA, CPP

COO

Amy Madden brings over two decades of expertise in accounting and financial management to her role as Chief Operating Officer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Finance and an MBA, equipping her with both the technical knowledge and strategic vision to drive organizational success. With 20 years of accounting experience, Amy has built a career marked by precision, leadership, and a commitment to operational excellence. She is also a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), underscoring her deep understanding of payroll systems, compliance, and workforce management.

As COO, Amy leverages her financial acumen and leadership skills to streamline operations, foster innovation, and ensure sustainable growth. Her ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution makes her a trusted leader and a driving force behind the company’s continued success.

In her spare time, Amy enjoys football (Go 49ers!), true crime, and spending time with her family.

[email protected]

805.928.5725 Ext. 108

Heaven Sigona, PHRca

Client Services Manager

In her human resources career, Heaven has performed a wide variety of HR functions including onboarding, terminations, leaves of absence and workers’ compensation management, policy creation, file management, payroll processing, benefits administration, annual reporting, process & system implementation, data auditing, and document development. She brings to YPP/HRYW an adept knowledge and understanding of information systems and a passion for process improvement and quality management. Heaven provides management of the Benefits and Client Implementation Teams, as well as project management for internal improvement projects. She holds a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in HR/Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is PHRca certified by HRCI.

Outside of work, Heaven is a dedicated mother of three. She loves attending her children’s soccer and baseball games as well as traveling and getting out in nature on “family adventures.” Her hobbies include going to concerts, baking, gardening, and crafting.

Client Implementation Team Vision:

Seamless starts. Lasting Partnerships. We set the standard for excellence in client onboarding—delivering expertly-managed, collaborative implementations that inspire confidence, drive efficiency, and ensure long-term success from the very first step.

[email protected]

805.928.5725 Ext. 115

Lynn Fernbaugh

Senior HR Manager

Lynn joined the company in 2006, bringing decades of expertise in employment and training. Her career began in California’s Central San Joaquin Valley as Director of one of the nation’s first programs dedicated to training and placing women in non-traditional careers. Over the years, Lynn served as an Executive Director and private consultant, leading initiatives in job training, business development, and marketing for both public and private sectors and developing skills that enhance her work with YPP.

At YPP Lynn has been a trusted Senior HR Manager for a diverse portfolio of small business clients and currently oversees our HR team. She partners with clients to design HR policies and practices that reflect company culture while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards. Leveraging a variety of assessment tools and consulting strategies, Lynn helps business leaders strengthen their HR functions with a focus on employee growth and development. She is a proud graduate of California State University, Fresno.

[email protected]

805.928.5725 Ext. 105

Sandra J. Dickerson, Esq.

CEO / HR Director

With a career in Human Resource Outsourcing since 1987, Sandra brings decades of expertise to guiding our services. She ensures compliance with regulations, champions best practices, and oversees corporate and legal affairs. As HR Director, Sandra provides executive-level insight that helps our clients thrive. Her passion for YPP and our services led her to attend law school in the mid-1990’s while she was completing the acquisition of YPP from its founder. She is a member of both the California Lawyer and American Bar Associations.

Sandra’s commitment extends beyond the workplace. She currently serves as Chairman of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, President of the Santa Maria Philharmonic, and Vice Chair of the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board and has previously held board positions with other community and industry organizations.

When she’s not leading initiatives, Sandra enjoys life with her husband Robert and their two lively border collies, Boreas and Zephyrus. Whether tending her garden or diving into a good book, she knows how to make the most of her “free” time.

[email protected]

805.928.5725 Ext. 110

Category: Disability

A CLIENT PRIMER: HOW LEAVE LAWS FIT TOGETHER

NO LIABILITY FOR UNDISCLOSED DISABILITY

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