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Rachel Aldaz,

MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

RACHEL ALDAZ, Celebrating 20 Years of SHRM San Antonio Leadership & Workforce Impact

Rachel Aldaz has been a valued SHRM San Antonio member since 2006. A United States Air Force veteran and Master Sergeant, Rachel brings decades of leadership experience and a strong commitment to empowering people and organizations.

She is the owner of Aldaz HR Solutions LLC, providing HR consulting and contract services to support over-extended HR teams. Rachel also served as Vice President of Human Resources for the Austin Lighthouse – Travis Association for the Blind and has held senior HR leadership roles across multiple industries, including nonprofit, manufacturing, and financial services.

Her career highlights include leading large HR teams, improving employee retention, managing complex employee relations issues, and overseeing organizational change initiatives. Rachel’s dedication to service, leadership, and workforce development makes her a trusted resource for HR professionals in the San Antonio region and beyond.

Q: What has motivated you to remain a long-standing member of SHRM San Antonio?

Rachel: The opportunities to meet and share experiences with others in the HR profession have been invaluable over the years, and the frequent educational sessions.

Q: What do you currently do in human resources, and how has SHRM San Antonio supported you in your role?

Rachel: I have attempted to retire multiple times, but it’s apparently not for me. Currently, I own my own HR consulting business, Aldaz HR Solutions. I enjoy filling in as an interim HR leader at nonprofit organizations when they need someone on a short-term basis. I’m currently supporting HR at Prospera Housing Community Services. SHRM San Antonio has provided excellent networking opportunities for me as a small business owner.

Q: What would you say to someone considering joining or becoming more involved in SHRM SA?

Rachel: HR is a continuously evolving profession, so we can’t allow ourselves to stop learning and growing. Organizations like SHRM SA provide resources, information and inspiration to grow and remain up-to-date in our field.

Aranaya De Sola, MBA,

SPHR, SHRM-SCP

ARANYA DE SOLA, A SHRM San Antonio HR Leader & Strategic People Champion

Aranya De Sola is a strategic HR leader focused on aligning people practices with business impact. She brings a mission-driven approach to professional growth and community; values that reflect SHRM San Antonio’s commitment to advancing the HR profession.

Q: You’re known for aligning people strategy with business transformation. How has your involvement with SHRM supported or strengthened that approach?

Aranya: SHRM has helped me stay connected to what’s changing in our field, new regulations, new technology, and better ways to build organizations where people and performance both thrive. Being part of SHRM‑SA gives me a network of peers who are solving similar challenges, and those conversations often spark ideas I bring back to the business. It keeps my approach grounded, current, and aligned with what truly drives impact

Q: As a leader who develops HR Business Partners and drives enterprise initiatives, what insights or resources from SHRM have been most impactful in your work?

Aranya: I rely on SHRM’s research and competency frameworks to help shape HRBPs into strategic partners. The guidance on employee relations, compensation, and compliance gives my teams a strong foundation so they can focus on influencing leaders and driving outcomes. SHRM’s tools make it easier to build HR teams that think beyond transactions and operate with an enterprise mindset.

Q:Your leadership blends data-driven strategy with human empathy. How has being part of the SHRM community influenced the way you lead and make decisions?

Aranya: Being part of SHRM has reinforced my belief that effective HR leadership requires both analytical precision and genuine connection because data informs decisions, but empathy shapes outcomes. The SHRM community brings together leaders who care about using insights to guide decisions while staying grounded in the human experience. Hearing how others navigate change, risk, and culture challenges has shaped how I show up as a leader and how I support others through transformation.

Q: Looking back on your professional journey, how has SHRM membership contributed to your growth as a senior HR leader and what would you say to others considering getting more involved?

Aranya: SHRM has been part of my journey from early career to senior leadership. The certifications, resources, and community have driven me to keep growing and stay ahead of what the business needs from HR. For anyone thinking about getting more involved, I’d say: do it! The more you engage, the more value you’ll find—whether that’s learning something new, expanding your network, or finding ways to give back to the profession.

Rebecca Dartez

REBECCA DARTEZ, A SHRM San Antonio Volunteer & Community Champion

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your professional background.
Rebecca: I’m not a San Antonio native—I moved here in 2011 and I’ve been in the staffing industry since 2017. I truly enjoy working with companies who partner with staffing services and helping connect people who want to work with jobs. I love meeting businesses in San Antonio, networking, and learning through associations like SHRM.

Q: How did you first get connected with SHRM San Antonio?
Rebecca: My first staffing company was a big advocate of SHRM, and I’ve been a big proponent ever since.

Q: You’re a familiar and friendly face at SHRM San Antonio events. What motivates you to volunteer and stay involved?
Rebecca: Learning. HR is a very dynamic department—not just managing people, but the processes that need to be created, organized, and implemented. A lot of the information I learn is something I bring back to my clients and even my family. I enjoy seeing members who have been involved for a long time and welcoming new ones.

Q: What has been your favorite SHRM San Antonio event or moment so far?
Rebecca: The Annual Symposium. It’s always exciting for me to see who the speakers are and what I can learn.

Q: From your perspective, what makes the SHRM San Antonio community special?
Rebecca: The people. I may not know everyone, but I feel we are all here to learn, grow, and support each other.

Q: What skills or experiences have you gained through volunteering with SHRM San Antonio?
Rebecca: Networking for sure—and community connection. It’s nice to walk into a room and see a friendly face.

Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with SHRM San Antonio but hasn’t taken the step yet?
Rebecca: I always recommend that someone try it out first and see what they experience. Everyone is different.

Q: Outside of SHRM, what’s something you enjoy or are passionate about?
Rebecca: I’m passionate about well-being, the mind-body-soul connection, and sharing that knowledge with others.

RACHEL ALDAZ, Celebrating 20 Years of SHRM San Antonio Leadership & Workforce Impact

REBECCA DARTEZ, A SHRM San Antonio Volunteer & Community Champion

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