Araceli Miranda
Araceli Miranda is a dedicated human resources professional currently serving as a Senior Human Resources Generalist at Patenaude & Felix, APC in San Diego, California. In her role, she is part of a small but impactful HR team supporting approximately 160 employees across multiple states. She manages a wide range of responsibilities, including employee relations, payroll and timecard inquiries, workplace investigations, and coordination with external HR and legal resources, demonstrating her ability to navigate complex personnel matters in a fast-paced legal environment.
Araceli began her career with the firm as a receptionist after earning her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Point Loma Nazarene University, initially intending to pursue law school. Her curiosity and drive led her to explore multiple departments within the organization, building a strong operational foundation. Encouraged by a mentor, she transitioned into human resources, where she discovered a passion for people-centered problem-solving and the legal aspects of HR. When the firm’s HR manager unexpectedly departed, Araceli stepped into a leadership role with little formal training, quickly adapting and taking ownership of critical HR functions.
Guided by determination and a commitment to continuous learning, Araceli has developed a professional philosophy centered on supporting employees and resolving challenges with empathy and precision. She thrives in situations that require research, collaboration, and thoughtful decision-making, often serving as a key resource for both employees and leadership. Her journey reflects resilience and initiative, and she continues to grow her expertise while maintaining her long-term interest in the intersection of human resources and the legal field.
• Point Loma Nazarene University- Bachelor's
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to overcome adversity and rise to challenges even when I feel unprepared. When the HR manager suddenly resigned, I had to take over the position and learn everything that wasn't part of my day-to-day tasks - things I hadn't been taught and didn't have knowledge about. It was extremely stressful because I didn't know who to contact or where a lot of things were, but I'm very proud that I was able to pick up on it and overcome that challenge. I think my willingness to ask questions, do research, and reach out to resources like HR counsel when I encounter legal areas I'm not familiar with has been crucial. My personality and customer service skills have also been important - I like to talk to people and figure things out, which is essential when you're handling employee relations, complaints, and mediation for 160 employees across multiple states. Even though I still want to go to law school and become an attorney, I've found that I really like human resources because it allows me to use both my people skills and my interest in legal problem-solving every single day.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When asked about people who had made the most impact in Araceli's life she wanted to highlight first and foremost her mother who has raised her as a single mother and always put an incredible effort to provide her with a future and provide for her. She inspired her by working hard and never giving up, which has been deeply ingrained in Araceli's and she hopes to inspire other women to work toward their dreams and never give up on themselves. Her mother has been a pillar of strength and example of what perseverance can help you achieve. Grateful for the experience of being raised by her incredible mother and would love to highlight her as someone who has been inspirational and impactful in her own journey.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say not to give up when things get really hard or challenging. If you don't know something, always ask questions - you'll eventually figure it out. That's what I tell some of the girls now who are aspiring to go to law school: don't give up, don't let people tell you that you can't do it or that you don't understand. Show them that you got this. Especially as women, I think it can be challenging overcoming some things, and you can feel like you have to prove something, but you don't. Use your voice and be confident in yourself. Surround yourself with people who support you and can help you learn. Even when you're not sure of something, you will figure it out along the way, so stay the course and your dreams can come true.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Araceli will be jumping in to add more details regarding what has inspired her career and what keeps her motivated and empowered, she will add how she would like to connect with other incredible women within our network and how she would like to inspire our readers, she will also add detail regarding what brings her joy including her interest in hobbies outside of work in a time with her family, she will highlight what her goals are for the future and what she would like to see as her next chapter of her story is written, and highlight any additional details that she would like to celebrate regarding her accomplishments and accolades.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are staying determined, having faith, and believing in myself. These principles guide both my professional work and personal life. Determination has been crucial in helping me overcome challenges, especially when I had to suddenly take over as HR manager without prior training. Faith and self-belief have given me the confidence to keep pushing forward even when things get difficult or when I'm facing situations where I don't have all the answers. I've learned that if I stay determined and believe in my ability to figure things out - whether that's researching legal issues, reaching out for help, or learning on the job - I can overcome any obstacle that comes my way.