OCCABA Member Spotlight featuring Working Wardrobes
In-Person Breakfast Meeting
Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 7:15 am to 9:30 am (Pacific Time)
Networking / Breakfast: 7:15 - 7:50 am
Meeting: 7:50 - 9:30 am
Parking is free. The meeting will be at JT Schmid’s Restaurant, 2610 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
Join us Thursday morning, May 25th for our first in-person event for 2023 and our first Member Spotlight featuring Working Wardrobes. Working Wardrobes is an active member of OCCABA and a local non-profit organization that OCCABA supports. In addition to being recognized in 2021 and 2022 by Orange County Business Journal as one of Orange County’s “Best Places to Work”, Working Wardrobes received OC Register’s People’s Choice Award, Best of Orange County 2022.
We are honored to have Bonni Pomush, Chief Executive Officer and Derek Benson, Chief People Officer of Working Wardrobes. In February 2020, Working Wardrobes Irvine headquarters was devastated by fire and then faced with the pandemic. Bonni and Derek will share their vision, insight and the work involved in rebuilding and rebranding the organization and becoming a Best Place to Work!
Bonni Pomush, Chief Executive Officer of Working Wardrobes
With much joy, Bonni is committed to putting her strengths to work by being of service to the community.
She developed a great love and respect for research and data-based decision making when earning her master’s degree in Family Resources and Human Development. Bonni brings over 25 years of leadership experience in government and non-profit agencies. Her research- and strengths-based leadership approach has resulted in the national accreditation of centers, turning around budgets from shortfalls to surpluses, and retaining high quality employees by creating and implementing performance-based pay systems. In partnership with board members and volunteers, Bonni has secured over $6 million in capital campaign funds and $1 million from events and annual giving.
Originally from the East Valley suburbs of Phoenix, AZ, Bonni administered programs for 15 years in government agencies (the Kyrene School District, Arizona State University, and the City of Chandler). After making the move to Orange County, CA in 2009, she joined the nonprofit world at Temple Beth El of South Orange County, The Samueli Center for Progressive Judaism. Following Founder and 31-year CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Jerri Rosen’s retirement, Bonni became Working Wardrobes’ second-ever CEO in January 2022.
Bonni revels in creating and implementing strategic plans and sustainable systems, working with boards to accomplish a mission, developing and leading high-performing teams, engaging diverse stakeholders, and producing measurable results.
When she’s not hard at work, Bonni can be found paddle-boarding, walking the beach, playing mah-jongg, hitting balls on the tennis court, traveling, and enjoying quality time with family and friends.
Derek Benson, Chief People Officer of Working Wardrobes
Derek has worked in the Human Resources/People field for over 20 years, with most of his career spent in the financial industry, including eleven years with MUFG Union Bank. In these roles, Derek built several successful teams in Talent Acquisition and HR Operations supporting programs and processes that remain today.
After volunteering and then serving on the Working Wardrobes Board of Directors for 6 years, Derek joined Working Wardrobes as its Chief People Officer (CPO) in July 2020. In the role, he helped the organization rebuild after a devastating fire was immediately followed by a global pandemic which forced the organization to downsize significantly. He came onboard with a vision to rebuild and rebrand Working Wardrobes as a premier nonprofit employer in Orange County. Under his leadership, the organization earned Orange County Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” distinction beginning in 2021, and employee ratings Glassdoor score increased by 80%!
In his role as CPO, he is a member of the organization’s executive leadership team and is responsible for the wellbeing of 40 amazing team members including talent acquisition, engagement, development, and retention, as well as employer brand, culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition to his “day job” he is passionate about connecting his personal and professional networks to the mission of Working Wardrobes.
He is a proud native of Orange County, CA having grown up, attended school, and worked his whole life in “the OC”. He currently resides in Costa Mesa, CA and outside work enjoys gardening, travel, and time spent with family, friends, and his with his loyal standard poodle Anastasia.
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All registrations must be completed by 9:00 pm the night before the webinar to ensure the participant will receive the webinar link and/or dial-in information.
Attendance counts toward WorldatWork recertification.
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