Professionals With Purpose Members

Bree Cohen is the founder of Cohen Careers, a boutique recruitment agency specializing in small to medium-sized businesses. With over a decade of experience in talent acquisition, she established Cohen Careers to address the unique needs of both job seekers and employers. Recognizing the specific challenges faced by each, she expertly matches candidates to fulfill these requirements.

Cohen Careers serves a diverse range of industries, including digital marketing, sales, legal, and technology. Bree has successfully placed top-tier candidates in positions ranging from Assistant Account Executive to C-level. Her deep understanding of the recruitment landscape enables her to provide exceptional service to a select clientele of qualified job seekers and employers throughout San Diego and beyond.

With over two decades of dedication to canine behavior and service dog training, Michelle Hartley has built a distinguished career focused on enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities and families pursuing proactive wellness goals with their dogs. Her journey began as a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, sparking a deep interest in canine behavior and training. This early experience led to her role as a Certified Area Pet Training Instructor at PetSmart in Southern California, where she refined her skills with various dog breeds and training challenges. Michelle further complemented her practical experience with a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University and an Advanced Certificate in Community College Teaching.

As the Owner and Expert Dog Trainer at Golden State Service Dogs, Michelle offers a range of services including the popular Homeschool Dog School, located in Spring Valley, CA. This innovative program provides specialized training at a dedicated facility, designed to accommodate various needs and ensure a consistent learning environment. Michelle specializes in medical response and mobility support dogs, using her personal experience with autoimmune conditions to empathize deeply with her clients’ challenges. Her extensive background also includes teaching at the San Diego Community College District, where she supported students with disabilities, and presenting at schools to advocate for the benefits of service dogs. These experiences highlight her commitment to improving well-being and independence through the profound bond between individuals and their service dogs or pets.

Brandon Dillon is a CPA and a highly accomplished finance and accounting professional with over 12 years of experience. He started his career at Deloitte, where he rose to the position of Senior Manager. He then went on to lead the Accounting and Finance function of a start-up SaaS Construction company and subsequently worked at a publicly traded life science company with annual revenues of $500M+ as the Corporate Controller. Brandon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting and a Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of San Diego. He has extensive experience in leading accounting groups of 30+ people including direct oversight of general accounting, technical accounting, revenue, payroll, fixed assets, cost accounting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, as well as overseeing month-end close and internal audit.

Brandon has a proven track record of success in managing complex financial operations, optimizing financial performance, and driving strategic decision-making. He is a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and is able to effectively communicate financial information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Brandon is highly skilled in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. He has a keen eye for detail, is highly organized, and is known for his ability to deliver results in a timely and efficient manner.

At Kathy Mays Design, we integrate Interior Design with Restyling, and Closet Cleanouts, prioritizing your wellness and environmental harmony. Our dedication transforms your space and self, fostering a clutter-free, harmonious lifestyle.

With over 10 years of experience, Kathy Mays Design brings a unique blend of expertise in health and home aesthetics to every project. Our dedication to enhancing every aspect of your living environment reflects our commitment to creativity, wellness, and meticulous attention to detail. We believe that a well-designed, clutter-free home is the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life.

Jarvis is a Best Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, and an Optimizer of Human Potential. He helps sales professionals build UNBREAKABLE consistency so they achieve RECORD BREAKING results!

EXPERIENCE:
Michael joined Principal® Financial Network of Sothern California management team in 2022, bringing over 15 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. Michael’s goal is helping clients achieve better financial outcomes, it’s not just what he does, but it’s what his clients expect from him. He works diligently to educate them so they may make the best decisions supporting their financial and personal goals. Michael’s role in educating his clients empowers them to not only crystalize their financial objectives but take actionable steps towards reaching them. As Managing Director, Michael is committed to helping financial professionals leverage their strengths and experiences to build more successful practices.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS:
Michael attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and obtained his 6, 7, 24, and 63 securities. He is the President of San Diego Professionals with Purpose, Board member of the Japanese American Citizen’s League Gala, and served as NAIFA board member (young professionals’ engagement) for three years, Member NAIFA, FINSECA.

INTERESTS:
Michael is an active member within the local business community and enjoys collecting vintage Japanese robots and art vinyl. He grows and collects carnivorous plans and has two long-haired Dachshunds named Paco and Basa. Michael enjoys spending free time traveling extensively with his wife, Jessica.

Meeting people and creating the best photo they’ve ever had of themselves is my jam! With headshots, my focus is on empowering people with an amazing professional headshot that reflects their true selves presented at their very best. My portrait photography is designed to get people to let their hair down a bit more and express themselves however they choose while still looking fabulous! Have you ever looked at a photo of someone and thought “who IS that?” That’s my goal with every person that steps in front of my camera. I want people to wow those around them and (more importantly) to wow themselves.

Joel Siegel Ph.D. provides a full suite of executive leadership services to his business clients, ranging from start ups and small cap management teams to C-Suite executives and CEO’s. Joel works with small to midsize companies experiencing significant growth, as well as specializing in working with family owned businesses, founder owner companies, and a wide variety of other professionals involved in complex career Dynamics, decisions and transitions.

Throughout a long and successful career as a business consultant, psychologist, entrepreneur, and music producer, Joel’s experience and success have allowed him to understand what makes a successful person, a rewarding project, and profitable, sustainable company. Joel provides executive leadership services in areas such as growth planning, profitability consulting, capital acquisition, talent acquisition, delineating corporate vision and refining branding messages. Working with executives and other professionals who are in transition is an important professional specialization for Joel, who guides these individuals through the complex turn into a successful arrival there next professional destination

With family owned companies Joel works with the progenitor generation to help them both sustain wealth and profitability and with the younger generation in integrating them into executive roles within the family corporation. Joel builds family councils as an adjunctive governance body in every family business engagement, and uses a variety of tools to diminish the impact of family relationships and dynamics on the functioning of the business, so that family owned companies continue to profit and sustain themselves multi generationally.

Joel specializes in mediation of business partnership disputes, so that even if a business partnership can no longer be sustained the issues involved are resolved so that litigation and the evisceration of equity is avoided

Working with a variety of law firms, Joel utilizes a proprietary program in the development of practice building by the associate attorneys at the firm.

Previously Joel was a corporate executive with Samissa healthcare, the nations largest private psychiatric corporation, and an administrator at Rancho Park Hospital, Alvarado Parkway, Institute, and Charter hospital San Diego Joel was also head of strategic services at CUSTOMatrix, a large multidisciplinary consulting firm.

During his years as a clinical psychologist, Joel was a member of the American Psychological Association and California Psychological Association. He was the first Psychologist named to sit on the executive committee of a California hospital.

Currently, Joel is a member of the International Coach Federation – https://coachingfederation.org and San Diego Professionals Team https://sdpteam.com.

He is the facilitator and on the Board of Directors of San Diego Professionals with Purpose https://Meetup.com/san-diego-professionals-with-purpose.

Joel is also a member of The Trusted Advisors – https://the-trusted-advisors.com.

Finally Joel is a member of Highrise networks https://highrisenetworks.com as well as the VC Roundtable https://thevcroundtable.com.

Joel received his BA from The University of Michigan, and his MA and PhD from United States international University

Ron Ford has provided the professional community with suits, coats, pants, and more for over 40 years.

His passion for clothes has allowed him to dress some of the city’s top officials and several celebrities.

Adapting to the trends in current men’s business attire, Ron now provides more casual sports and dress wear including jeans, button-down shirts, sweaters, and more.

At his store, you’ll find quality clothing at a reasonable price.

Kathleen Milligan is a licensed family law attorney serving all of San Diego County. Kathleen earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of California in Riverside and her Juris Doctorate degree from California Western School of Law. While in law school, Kathleen was the President of the Women’s Law Caucus while also being involved in several other student organizations. She focused her studies on mediation and ADR which has evolved into her daily practice as a Family Law Attorney. Kathleen has been practicing Family Law exclusively since 2014 focusing on divorce, paternity, child custody and support litigation. Kathleen has worked with dozens of clients on successful mediations/negotiations including prenuptial agreements. Kathleen is an active member of the San Diego County Bar and the American Bar Association. Separation is difficult, but Kathleen prides herself on being empathetic and hardworking to ensure the process is simple, efficient, and cost-effective.

Outside of work, Kathleen is an avid traveler who loves to spend her time with family and friends. She enjoys ice hockey and the occasional trip to Disneyland.