Meet Our Team
The team at SOS Association Solutions, LLC. are humbled by the trust that our clients have placed in us. We are committed to partnering with you to guide your organization to achieve more and exceed your expectations.
Jayne Somes-Schloesser, Principal & Executive Advisor
CAE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Jayne is the Principal and Founder of SOS Association Solutions, LLC. SOS is a comprehensive HR consulting and organizational development services firm that delivers top quality, trusted and cost-effective solutions exclusively for Associations.
Jayne is an experienced association executive having served as Senior VP, Chief Operating Officer, and Deputy Executive Director in large and small associations for over 30 years. She knows association management from the inside out with “boots on the ground” experience that allows her to effectively partner with CEOs as a trusted guide to strategic planning and HR solutions. Jayne has led numerous strategic human resource initiatives focused on transforming associations and both recruiting and aligning talent to the organizations business objectives. With a passion to help associations execute their big dreams and create large-scale impact in their area of expertise, Jayne’s customized approach for Operations & Change Management, HR Solutions, and Executive Leadership Strategy will take your organization to the next level.
Jayne holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in human resources from The George Washington University. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) by American Society of Association Executives; Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) by HRCI; Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR); and a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) by the Society of Human Resource Management.
Tonya Mason Branch, Human Resources Recruiter
Tonya brings SOS clients over 15 years of diverse experience in the worlds of finance and education. Her background equips her to work collaboratively with clients throughout the recruitment, development, and retention process. She is passionate about listening well and offering “high-touch” trusted service that brings openness, honesty, and a place of belonging for all. Tonya is a confidential guide and point of contact for the many HR solutions SOS provides. She oversees human capital survey analysis to deliver valuable information for organizational growth. Tonya specializes in all services relating to the management of people, every organization's most valuable asset. Tonya is HRCI certified, aPHR.
Cindy Chestnut, Human Resources Consultant
Cindy is an accomplished HR professional who has worked with both national and international nonprofit associations, in addition to Fortune 500 and mid-sized companies. She is experienced in management development, coaching, employee relations, DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging), employee engagement, recruiting and performance management. Cindy is collaborative by nature and her ability to listen and understand each client’s unique needs and culture enables her to adeptly provide practical solutions to diverse business needs.
She regularly delivers training and development programs that provide opportunities for individuals to develop to their fullest potential. Cindy is True Colors certified and facilitates fun, interactive teambuilding workshops that enhance communication and improve work relationships - key factors that drive organizational success.
Cindy holds two bachelor’s degrees, Finance and Business Education, and has senior-level human resources credentials from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She obtained her Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University in 2019, and holds the following HR certifications SPHR, SHRM-SCP.
Jessica Griffiths, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Jessica is a strategic Talent Acquisition Specialist with over five years of experience in the field of HR. Her employment history includes two of Baltimore’s notable healthcare organizations John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Jessica has an acute understanding of what hiring managers are looking for in their employees, and a passion for matching people with meaningful careers. She strives to ask the right questions and provide the highest level of customer service to all clients. Jessica also has expertise in resume writing and critique and has served as guest lecturer for her alma mater, Towson University.
Jessica currently attends Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies pursuing a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources Management. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management.
Barbara Hutchison, Digital Event Strategist & Certified Meeting Professional
Barbara is a certified Digital Event Strategist (DES), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Healthcare Meetings Compliance Certified (HMCC) professional with more than 20 years of experience in corporate, association and government meetings, conferences and special events. Her expertise with conferences and events range from high level, high touch board meetings to galas to international delegations. With a personalized, polished touch she aids in strategic planning, logistics planning, vendor selection and supervision, site and platform sourcing, contracting, registration, housing, on site management, event wrap up and future event recommendations. Barbara serves as the single point of contact for your events, advocating on behalf of your meeting needs and managing the details so you and your Association staff are free to focus on content and relationship building.
Barbara holds a BA in Marketing, MBA in Business Administration, and certificates in Event Management, Healthcare Meetings Compliance Certification, CMP, and DES.
Dorothy Matlis, Talent Optimization Advisor
Dorothy has worked as a senior leader in Human Resources and spent 20 years across professional services and education in the DC metro area. Dorothy’s teams have won best places to work and experienced unprecedented growth during her tenure. With significant experience in general HR administration, benefits administration, core HR compliance, and even large office build-outs, she specializes in performance coaching and management, learning and development, workforce allocation, and compensation management. Dorothy is passionate about helping clients build great teams and retain top talent. As a talent optimization advisor, Dorothy leverages the Predictive Index assessment to help organizations understand what drives and motivates individual behaviors.
Dorothy graduated with a BS in Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland and earned both the SHRM-SCP and SPHR designations, and serves as an active Board member for two non-profit organizations in the greater Washington, DC community.
Gerry Nepomuceno, Human Resources Consultant
Gerry is a strategic, versatile, and business-focused professional with expertise in all facets of HR operations with added expertise in interim HR consulting, compensation analysis, and HR Audit. He regularly delivers effective results for long-established organizations as well as those undergoing rapid growth and change. As a proactive, hands-on leader, he has worked in fast-paced, high-growth environments involving both domestic and international locations. Gerry has over 28 years of HR experience, and has held senior-level leadership roles with L-3 Communications, STG, Inc., and Human Resources Global Organization (HRGO).
Gerry has an executive master’s degree in HR Management, and is certified by HRCI - PHR/GPHR, DDI.
Jon Witt, Human Resources Consultant
Jon is a skilled senior leader with over 20 years of experience, recognized for delivering strategic HR solutions and leadership across multiple industries including technology, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, defense, and supply chain.
Throughout his career Jon has been driven by his passion for elevating cross-functional teams and effectively aligning HR initiatives with business objectives to achieve consistent sustainable growth. His expertise spans various critical areas such as labor and employee relations, engagement strategies, training, talent acquisition, change management, process improvement, data analytics, performance management, and succession planning. He firmly believes in fostering environments that drive open and honest communication to execute strategies that drive business excellence.
Jon has a bachelor’s degree in communications from George Mason University.