Human Resource Management Certificate ProgramProgram Faculty and Experts

Robert Garcia, MBA, SPHR, GPHR, SPHRi, PHRi, SHRM-SCP

Robert is Global Strategic Development Director at ICF Coaching in Organizations and is responsible for business development activities to engage organizations to join ICF Coaching in Organization that is devoted to assisting organizations with developing an internal coaching culture. He has a wealth of experience in the fields of business, human resource management, diversity, equity and inclusion, sales and marketing, leadership consulting, health care administration, and operations. He has held senior level positions at Randstad, RX Global Consulting, SHRM, Baptist Health South Florida, Florida International University, LHH, ADP, and United Healthcare.

He has extensive experience in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) and has been an advisory board member of Diversity Councils and established Diversity/Affinity resource groups in several companies. He has developed, delivered, and consulted on DE&I through FIU Executive Education to many organizations throughout South Florida.

Robert obtained a Master of Business Administration from Florida International University, has a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management from Nova Southeastern University, HR Certifications from SHRM and the HR Certification Institute and is a Certified Executive Coach.

He is an adjunct professor in business and human resource management at Florida International University. Robert is fluent in English and Spanish and has been interviewed for his perspective on business, human resource, and career management. He is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences most recently presenting at virtual conferences in throughout South Florida, the Middle East and Asia.

Margarita Plasencia, NCC, PCC, ODCP

Margarita Plasencia is founder of MP Coaching Solutions, LLC specializing in corporate coaching and leadership development consulting. She has extensive experience in Executive and Leadership Coaching from first-level to C-level management, as well as in designing and facilitating leadership development programs. Her expertise in Organizational Development enables her to identify specific interventions to support her clients in their leadership growth, with a focus on bottom line business results. She has over 30 years’ experience in the corporate arena with extensive experience in all domains of human resources disciplines. At Avaya, Inc, a global leader in telecommunications, she held leadership positions in Global Organizational & Leadership Development; Domestic and International Human Resources; and Talent Management. At American Airlines, she held leadership positions in Domestic and International Human Resources; Employee Relations; Labor Relations; and business leadership roles in Flight Service and Passenger Service. Her experience includes crisis management efforts in labor union and airline issues. Margarita’s contributions to these corporations have resulted in a positive impact on the business.

As an Executive Coach and Leadership Development Consultant, Margarita leverages her strong experience in diverse corporate roles to bring out the best in leaders to excel even beyond expectations. She employs different coaching methodologies depending on the needs of the leader, and uses a holistic approach that has proven to be very effective in causing a shift in mindset, often leading to transformational results. She focuses on a group coaching approach in the workshops she designs and delivers resulting in an engaging and motivating delivery.

Margarita has coaching experience across diverse industries, such as technology, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, logistics, airline, hospitality, retail, financial, insurance, marketing, restaurant, consumer products, CPA, and law firms in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

In addition, Margarita is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at Florida International University where she delivers the Human Resource Management Certification Program, and she also delivers an online Executive Coaching Program at the Institute of Organization Development.

Her contributions have also had an impact in her community. She has been selected as one of the 100 Latinos Miami in recognition for her professional achievements and contribution to the Latin community in Miami. She has served on the Board of the Florida Chapter of the Organizational Development Network. She has also been a coach and advisor to the Board of UWAG, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving animal welfare through education, advocacy & coordination of community efforts.

She has a B.A. in Education from Queens College of the City University of New York; Certification in Training and Human Resource Development from Florida International University; Certificate of Achievement in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University; Organization Development Professional Certification from South Florida OD Network Organization.

Margarita received her coaching certification from Newfield Network as an ontological coach and is also certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) at the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) level.

Freddy Pardo

Freddy is currently the Senior Director of Benefits and Compensation, Talent Acquisition and Diversity for Benihana National Corporation, where he leads key human resources areas that ensure new talent is effectively recruited, selected and onboarded while providing the right culture and working conditions to close to 7,000 employees serving customers in over 24 states.

A strategic human resources executive with over 20 years of professional experience in several industries like healthcare, hospitality, non-profit, education, home care and retail industries in the USA and Colombia, South America. Extensive experience developing strategic initiatives that promote organizational and employee development through effective leadership, culture alignment and performance management. He has designed and executed business strategies, human resources programs and operational efficiency solutions bringing higher employee engagement, financial results and enhanced service experience for multiple companies.

His professional experience in the USA includes working for large as well as small organizations in South Florida for over 18 years. His progressive career has taking him from developing, growing and leading the Human Resources function for several organizations to serving as Chief Operating Officer in charge of multiple business units leveraging and empowering their people to ensure financial, and programmatic success.

His areas of practice in human resources include strategic planning, talent acquisition, benefits and compensation, employee relations, organizational development, performance management, DEI and leadership development among others.

He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Pontifical Xavierian University in Cali, Colombia. He has been certified as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) since 2007 and 2015 respectively. He currently serves as Secretary for the HR Miami Board of Directors. He is also a lifetime member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society for the best in business since 2005. He has also served as Adjunct instructor for human resources programs for Florida International University (FIU) since 2018.