661.496.8759
Robin has years of experience as a human resource practitioner, which allows her to provide clients with advice and training based on her real-world experiences.
Robin’s area of expertise is in training, and she creates and delivers workshops on topics such as harassment prevention, communication, teambuilding, supervisory skills, and customer service. She is also a certified professional coach and works with supervisors and employees one-on-one to improve their interpersonal skills.
Robin writes HR articles for The Bakersfield Californian, provides HR advice on KGET-TV 17, and is a frequent speaker at conferences and community organizations. She is also co-author of the book Managing Generation Z: How to Recruit, Onboard, Develop, and Retain the Newest Generation in the Workplace.
Professional Experience
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Human Resource Development by Robin Paggi (2022-)
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CSU, Bakersfield - Adjunct Professor (2022-)
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Worklogic HR - Training & Development Specialist (2012-2022)
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KDG HR Solutions - Consultant (2006-2012)
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Klein, DeNatale, Goldner, LLP - Human Resources Manager (2006-2008)
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City of Bakersfield - Human Resources Analyst (2001-2006)
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United Way of Kern County - Community Investment Director (1999-2001)
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Kern Community College District - Training Coordinator (1995-1997)
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Communication Instructor: University of Phoenix (1998-2007); Bakersfield College (1992-1998)
Certifications
Senior Professional in Human Resources with a state-specific certification in California (SPHR-CA)
Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)
Certified Professional Coach (CPC)
Master Practitioner of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
DiSC Certified Trainer
Emotional Intelligence Certified Trainer and Coach
Graduate Certificate of Completion in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Certified Internal Investigation Administrator
Education
Master of Science in Psychology - California Southern University
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Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - California State University, Bakersfield
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Master of Arts in Communication Studies - California State University, Sacramento
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Bachelor of Arts in Communications - California State University, Bakersfield
Professional/Community Activities
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Bakersfield SPCA - Education Committee Chair (2023-)
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Bakersfield Twilight Rotary - President (2012-2013, 2021-2022)
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Kern County Society for Human Resource Management - Symposium Chair (2015, 2016)
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Kern County Society for Human Resource Management - Board President (2012)
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Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Employment and Labor Law Forum - Chair (2010)
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Human Resources Association of Central California - Legislative Director (2010)
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San Joaquin Valley Civic Leadership Program - Graduate (2001)
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Leadership Bakersfield - Graduate (1997)
Testimonials
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Just over 10 years ago, I met Robin Paggi through a prior employer. She was highly impactful in helping to form my rudimentary understanding of HR management, giving me tools such as hiring and termination best practices, leadership skills, and DISC assessment. She also has been instrumental in working with employee referrals for interpersonal coaching when our company has had employees who simply needed a professional coaching session. Robin is a strong communicator and teacher, able to articulate key points in a way that drives home a message worth remembering. She is organized and thorough in her approach to covering any topic. When working one-on-one with an employee she quickly assesses the employee’s need and is able to tactfully and helpfully coach and mentor. And, Robin carries a great deal of employment relations and business acumen knowledge that is an advantage and asset to any organization. These qualities and others makes her an ideal trainer, business consultant, and speaker, and I would recommend her without reservation.
Denise M. Tyree-Montecino, Vice President of Human Resources and Safety, Goodwill Industries of South Central California
Robin is a valued strategic partner to our firm. Her subject matter expertise is complimented by her approachable demeanor. When we need advice or training…we turn to Robin. She’s one of very few HR consultants who has the complete package of experience, knowledge, and is very fun to work with. I highly recommend Robin for your HR training and consulting needs!
Jim Damian, MSW, Founder / CEO, Stria
Robin is our go-to training provider for our employees. She works with our team on site and has flexible training schedules to meet the busy demands of our workforce. Our employees appreciate the expertise, insight, and experience that Robin provides and always get something out of each session that they can immediately put to good use to help them in their supervisory roles or just everyday communications with co-workers. Highly recommended.
Clare Pagnini, Vice President of Human Resource, Macpherson Energy
Robin Paggi is a true professional who came thru when we needed her. Her knowledge of her subject matter is unwavering, she is very hands-on and approachable within a classroom setting. A top-notch HR professional.
Dale A. Mattingly Sr., HSE Manager, Soli-Bond, Inc.
Robin Paggi has provided Harassment Prevention Training, Supervisor Training, and Employee Counseling for San Joaquin Refining for several years. She has always been thorough and professional while meeting our company’s needs. I highly recommend Robin for all Human Resource issues.
Dave Balz, Safety and Human Resource Supervisor, San Joaquin Refining
I have had the pleasure of attending many workshops provided by Robin Paggi over the last 6 years and have been more than satisfied with the information provided and Robin's engaging facilitation skills. Robin is able to relate to a wide variety of employees from entry-level to executive management. I would highly recommend her services to any business that is interested in professional development for their staff. Additionally, I have worked through conflict resolution issues with Robin where she was able to help staff clearly define challenges and offer common-sense solutions that were in the best interests of the organization and the individuals.
Craig Plath, Division Director, Community Services Employment Training
Robin’s trainings are incredible. Her techniques are genius in their simplicity. Her style of teaching make absorbing the material both easy and fun! Robin brings her extensive knowledge of Human Resources and Staff Development to the trainings. One of the things that makes her so excellent, and an expert, is her unique ability to combine finely-tuned intuition from years of experience with solid research in the HR field.
Brenda Mendivel, Vice President of Human Resources, Bakersfield Family Medical Center
As an HR Manager, I found Robin easy to work with and her services are a valuable resource in helping us meet mandated training requirements. Our supervisors found Robin to be knowledgeable, candid, and entertaining.
Denise Talvitie, Human Resources Manager, Golden Queen Mining Company
Robin’s “Superpower” is her ability to take the most complex HR situations and break them down into easily manageable and understandable common-sense solutions. She has a unique talent for identifying the groups involved and reaching them in a manner they can relate to and painting a clear picture of the often misunderstood facets of HR legalities.
Michael Shain, Executive Director, NAPD
Robin is the first person that comes to my mind when we have a need for professional training, one-to-one executive coaching, or help with workplace investigations because of her broad knowledge and professional delivery of human resources subject matters. Humble about her expertise, Robin is always current on legislative and social matters and trends. She has been instrumental in the success of our organization’s growing needs and advances our knowledge, which positively influences and effects needed change. Robin never fails to be supportive, flexible, and adaptive to the needs of her clients, which is why I personally recommend conducting business with her firm – you will undoubtedly be pleased.
Season Susko, HR Director, JTS Construction and JTS Modular
Robin has been pivotal in my leadership development as a young professional. Having worked with her the past 5 years I have attended private coaching, group counseling, and group trainings. In each of these I have taken away new strategies or concepts that I can apply to my workforce. Managing a team is challenging, having someone like Robin in your back pocket is lucrative.
Dylan Wilson, Program Director, Edible Schoolyard Kern County
HP Sears has utilized Robin Paggi and her HR talent in a variety of ways for over 10 years. She has provided one-on-one training for struggling employees, one-on-one training for supervisors, Human Resource training for our HR department staff members, and annual harassment prevention training for our entire office. She is truly our go-to for HR training, and I highly recommend her.
Chris Thompson, General Manager, HP Sears
I have had the pleasure of working with Robin for over 15 years. She has been a resource for my own training and professional development as well as a resource for my colleagues. I trust that the training content is factual and her real-world examples come from years of experience and actual situations that she has problem solved. Robin’s training and personal coaching have been of great value and I recommend her services.
Laura Bennett, Senior Manager of Human Resources, Centre for Neuro Skills
I have been lucky to take part in many Leadership Trainings provided by Robin and the experiences have been Superb! Robin is very engaging and will finds ways to make everyone feel comfortable and interact during her trainings. The amount of experience she brings is so valuable when I am faced with HR scenarios that I have never encountered before. I am thankful to know that Robin is one phone call away to provide me guidance if I ever need it!
Chris Molina, Director of Operations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County
Robin Paggi has provided training to the leaders of Cintas Bakersfield. Although Cintas has a plethora of training resources, I reached out to Robin because I have seen how engaging her trainings are and the content is well thought out. She is very professional and can customize the training to our needs. My coworkers have requested we keep bringing her back for any future training needs! My experience with her has been so great, I also included her on professional development workshops for the CSUB Alumni Association Runner Alumni Mentor Program.
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Nancy B. Solis, Campus Talent Acquisition Manager, Cintas
Media Appearances
Media Appearances
Training Topics
Interviewing: Hiring the Best and Weeding Out the Rest
Necessary Notifications Before, During, and After the Employment Relationship
What questions should you ask an applicant and what questions should you avoid? This workshop provides the answers as well as other helpful tips on how to enhance your hiring process.
On-boarding: Getting New Hires Connected to the Workplace
Employers are required to have employees complete a variety of forms when they are hired, when they are injured, when they take a leave of absence, and when they are terminated. Additionally, employers are required to provide employees with numerous notifications of their rights. This workshop provides information on required forms, pamphlets, and posters and best practices for complying with legal standards.
Does your orientation process consist of new hires spending hours filling out forms and watching outdated videos? If so, you might be on your way to losing them. Studies show that employees who feel connected to the workplace on their first day have higher morale, productivity, and retention than those who don't. This workshop is packed with ideas on how to turn your orientation process into an on-boarding experience that makes new employees feel like a part of the team.
Communication: What You Need to Know to Get What You Need
Everything we do involves communication, and we must know how to communicate effectively to get the results we want. This workshop provides information on how personality styles impact communication styles and practical tips that can be immediately implemented to improve communication in every aspect of your life.
Communicating Like a Leader
Leaders are supposed to inspire people to perform, and how they communicate is critical to their success. This workshop provides the do’s and don’ts of communicating like a leader.
Becoming a Leader
How Emotionally Intelligent Are You?
Being book smart or technically competent can only get you so far. Experts say having Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a more important factor for success than having a high IQ. People who have a healthy EQ know how to manage their emotions and get along with others. In this workshop, you'll measure your EQ, create strategies to improve it, and learn how to help others become more emotionally intelligent.
Leaders are supposed to motivate, communicate well, effectively handle performance issues, and build teams among other things. In this workshop, you’ll:
Assess your leadership skills in the above areas
Seek input from others about your leadership skills
Create strategies to become a better leader
5 Generations at Work: Potential Problems and Practical Solutions
Managing Performance for Better Results
The ability to effectively manage the performance of others is vital to the success of a supervisor. This workshop discusses how to:
create and communicate clear expectations
objectively monitor performance
effectively document performance
provide effective feedback
fairly appraise the performance of others
There are five generations in today's workplace. Each has its preferred way of working and communicating, and sometimes those ways collide. This workshop discusses the potential problems multiple generations working together often encounter and provides practical tips on how to get everyone working together.
Civility in the Workplace
When people forget their manners at work, everyone suffers – including employers. This workshop provides information on the high cost of incivility and what employers and supervisors can do to create a civil workplace.
Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
Are you talkative or quiet? Do you need a lot of details or just the big picture? Do you make decisions with your heart or with your head? Are you a planner or just like to jump in and see what happens? Your personality style might work well for you but can cause problems for others. This workshop explains what you can do about it.
Difficult Conversations
Telling someone something they don’t want to hear can be difficult. This workshop explores how to make those conversations less difficult for everyone involved.
Conflict Resolution
Everyone experiences conflict and most people don’t handle it well. This workshop provides information on how to effectively handle conflict before, during, and after it occurs.
Enhancing Your Team's Performance
Team building is more than just telling people to work together. This workshop discusses the 7 elements of an effective team and how to implement them in any group.
Saying "No" to Negativity
Defendable Documentation
Leading Positive Change
Documentation is an employer's best defense against discrimination claims. This workshop discusses how to create documentation that stands up in court.
Myers-Briggs Training
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is the most popular personality assessment in the world. Training using the MBTI includes Introduction to Type, Type and Communication, Type and Leadership, and more.
Have people told you that you're too negative? Do you supervise or work with people who are too negative? If so, this workshop is for you. This workshop provides information on how to turn around your negative thoughts and behaviors and how to work with negative people.
Because we live in a dynamic, ever-changing world, leaders must know how to effectively lead change. This workshop teaches participants about the 8 necessary steps in leading positive change.
Decision Making and Problem Solving
Motivating Others
We all make decisions and solve problems on a daily basis. This workshop explores:
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how different personalities tend to approach decision making/problem solving, the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches, and how to minimize the weaknesses
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problems groups encounter when making decisions/solving problems and how to overcome them
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basic guidelines in decision making/problem solving
Supervisors are often faced with the challenge of how to motivate those they supervise. In this workshop, you'll learn how to:
diagnose performance problems that lead to a lack of motivation
enhance the abilities of those they supervise to increase motivation
create a motivating work environment
implement the elements of an effective motivation program
Showing Employee Appreciation
Generic employee appreciation programs usually don’t do a good job in showing employees they are appreciated. So, they usually are a waste of time and money. In this workshop, you'll learn about the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace and how to truly and effectively show appreciation in ways that are meaningful to the recipient.
Empowering and Delegating
Because supervisors can’t do everything themselves, they must learn how to empower and delegate work to others. This workshop examines:
the meaning of empowerment
the five key elements of empowerment
how to develop empowerment
deciding when and to whom to delegate
how to delegate effectively
Helping Employees Grow
Employees need to have the opportunity to grow to remain engaged in the workplace. In this workshop, you'll learn why it’s important to help employees grow and develop specific strategies on how to do so.
Managing Absenteeism
Chronic tardiness and absenteeism is the current number one complaint employers have about their employees. This workshop provides information on what absences you are legally required to allow and what you can do to create a workplace that inspires employees to show up.
Creating an Inclusive Workplace
Managing Employees in a Technological World
Technology helps us get our work done. Unfortunately, it also provides ample opportunities for employees to play instead of work. This workshop provides information on how employees misuse technology and what you can and should do about it.
Effective Presentations
As the saying goes, inclusion in the workplace is not just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do. In this workshop, participants will learn:
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why inclusion matters
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the difference between diversity and inclusion
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how to implement the 5 elements of an inclusive workplace
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the benefits of creating an inclusive workplace
Whether presenting information to a group of people or even one-on-one, the ability to speak well is an important skill. This workshop teaches participants how to:
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manage stage-fright
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tailor the message for the audience
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organize information appropriately
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use visual aids
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deliver an effective presentation
Becoming More Culturally Competent
Culture is the beliefs, values, traditions, and behaviors that a group of people share. In this workshop, participants will learn:
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how culture is created and the impact it has on us
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the four features of cultural competence
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specific steps to take to become more culturally competent
State-Mandated Harassment Prevention Training
California employers with 5 or more employees are required by law to provide 1 hour of training to employees and 2 hours of training to supervisors every 2 years. This training meets the state's requirements.
Other Services
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One-on-One Coaching
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Investigations
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Conflict Mediation
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Handbook Review
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Policy Development
Contact Robin
Paggi and Clowes are a good combination for this practical guide to hiring, training, and managing Generation Z (i.e., people born in or after 1996). Paggi works with human resources professionals, especially in training and development, while Clowes assists Generation Z’ers in finding employment. They draw from their own experience but also from the experiences of others, as well as data from surveys. The book argues that Generation Z is more deeply involved with social media (especially via smartphones) than previous generations, which makes them think the internet holds the solution to any question. At the same time, having lived through the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the Great Recession of 2008, they are inclined to be risk averse and to seek stability. Paggi and Clowes say managers should pay deep and sustained attention to developing an appropriate office culture that can take full advantage of the strengths Generation Z brings to workplace while averting a culture clash between employees of different generations.
VERDICT: The book’s pragmatic, realistic approach will appeal to HR professionals and general managers.
Reviewed by Shmuel Ben-Gad, Gelman Lib., George Washington Univ., Washington, DC
Managing Generation Z added to the leadership library list of the USAF by Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.
This is what Brown had to say about the book:
“Galvanizing the rich legacies of Airmen like Brig. Gen. McGee and Col. Anderson requires us to continue building an enlisted and officer corps that represents the best the nation has to offer. [This book] is a practical guide for leaders at all echelons to understand, recruit, train, and lead the next generation of professional Airmen.”
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"Every current supervisor, manager or executive needs to read. You can use as a reference book or as a read-through. Well written. Fascinating insights. I am giving as a gift to executives in my life."
Managing Generation Z should be part of any manager or HR leader's reading ... From their tech-savvy abilities which might supersede those of their superiors to their naivety over professional interactions and office politics, this management guide is key to understanding this generation and tapping their inherent skills. Leaders who wish to guide these employees to greater heights will find discussions specific and important, from how Gen Z views time differently and reacts differently to time management requirements to how to create meaningful benefits to the job based on Gen Z values.-- "The Bookwatch"
Exceptional informative, impressively well written, thoroughly reader friendly in organization and presentation, Managing Generation Z is a comprehensive course of insightful instruction and essential reading for anyone with a management responsibility for this new and on-coming generation of employees. Highly recommended for corporate, community, college and university library Business & Personnel Management collections and supplemental studies curriculums.-- "Midwest Book Review"