Andre Martelly (COO), Sonia Chavez (CEO & Founder), and Zaudy Miranda (VP, Recruitment)
ABOUT US
The CAZA Collective was born from a deep passion for connecting talented individuals with opportunities that enable them to thrive in their careers. Founded by Sonia Chavez, the company’s journey is rooted in decades of recruiting, staffing, and talent acquisition experience. Sonia’s career began over 20 years ago as an IT recruiter on the agency side. Her path led her through various agency and corporate roles until she found herself at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), where she led the Talent Acquisition team. It was at GIA that Sonia truly fell in love with the intricacies of the industry. Building a dynamic team and forging lasting relationships were among the most fulfilling aspects of her time there. When her chapter at GIA concluded, Sonia thought her time in this fascinating industry had come to an end.
However, the entrepreneurial spirit within Sonia had always been strong, and the desire to create her own business persisted. In September 2022, she took the leap and founded The CAZA Collective. The name “CAZA,” inspired by her Latin heritage, means “hunt” in Spanish, a reflection of the recruiter’s relentless pursuit of top talent. Initially, the CAZA Collective was envisioned as a broad recruitment agency, leveraging the team’s diverse recruiting experience in various industries. But an “aha” moment shifted their focus. Sonia’s former GIA colleague, Zaudy Miranda, joined as a business partner, and reminded Sonia of the significant gap in the market and a lack of specialized recruiting resources for the gem and jewelry field. It became clear that the CAZA Collective could fill that void by niching its focus exclusively on this unique industry.
As The CAZA Collective established itself as a leader in recruiting for the Diamond, Gem & Jewelry industry, the need for a broader platform to support both employers and professionals became clear. Sonia and Zaudy saw firsthand the challenges organizations faced in finding and attracting skilled talent, while professionals struggled to find positions tailored to their expertise. Without a centralized resource, job seekers were often left navigating multiple job boards.
Andre Martelly (COO), Zaudy Miranda (VP, Recruitment), and Sonia Chavez (CEO & Founder) at JCK Las Vegas 2024.
To bring the vision of a centralized platform for the industry to life, Sonia partnered with Andre Martelly, whose expertise in talent acquisition, marketing, branding, and experiential events made him the ideal collaborator. Andre joined The CAZA Collective as Chief Operating Officer, contributing both his leadership and investment to the project. As a team, they launched CAZA Connect, a comprehensive career and resource platform designed specifically for the Diamond, Gem & Jewelry industry.
Developed as an extension of The CAZA Collective’s mission, CAZA Connect serves as a central hub where professionals can explore job opportunities, access career advice, utilize educational resources, and participate in industry-sepcific events. For employers, it provides a streamlined solution to attract top talent, showcase their companies through branded profiles, and access a database of skilled candidates. This platform reflects The CAZA Collective’s commitment to fostering growth, connection, and collaboration across the Diamond, Gem & Jewelry community while addressing the unique needs of job seekers and employers alike.
Today, The CAZA Collective, together with CAZA Connect, helps employers build stronger teams and equips job seekers to achieve their full potential. From gemology and design to retail, technology, marketing, and corporate roles, their deep understanding of the industry spans many facets, making them a leading resource for the field. Committed to addressing workforce challenges and fostering sustainable, diverse talent pipelines, The CAZA Collective connects skilled professionals with opportunities that elevate the industry. Through CAZA Connect, they extend this mission by advancing career growth, supporting industry development, and promoting workforce sustainability and inclusivity. Together, they are shaping a culture of fairness and collaboration, enabling employers and professionals to build meaningful connections and achieve long-term success.
Founder & CEO
Vice President, Recruitment
Chief Operating Officer
what makes us different
Whether you need Direct Hire, Executive Placements, Temporary Staffing, ongoing Recruitment and Sourcing support, or Talent Acquisition consulting, we provide innovative and tailored talent solutions that go beyond standard offerings. Our unique approach ensures that every service is customized to align with the specific needs of both clients and candidates, while also delivering flexibility and cost-saving options not commonly found with other staffing and recruiting firms – setting us apart in the industry.
Led by Sonia Chavez, who previously headed Talent Acquisition at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and Zaudy Miranda, who brings rich recruiting experience from GIA and the jewelry industry, along with a GIA Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) Diploma. Our team is actively involved in the industry, with Zaudy serving as a Board Member of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Los Angeles Chapter and the GIA Alumni Collective San Diego Chapter, influencing industry trends and standards.
We recruit across all facets of the Diamond, Gem, and Jewelry industry, providing you with access to specialized talent tailored to your specific needs, whether its in design, manufacturing, retail, or any other sector. Leveraging our extensive network and rich candidate database, we match you with the industry’s finest professionals, ensuring that you secure top talent to effectively fill your positions.
With over 35 years of combined experience in both agency staffing and corporate recruiting, we offer a unique perspective that sets us apart. Our deep understanding of what companies seek in their ideal candidates, paired with insight into what truly matters to candidates in the job market, allows us to deliver exceptional results for both clients and job seekers.
We empower job seekers with tailored resources, including resume enhancement and interview preparation, while guiding employers on best practices in workforce management, compliance, and diversity hiring. By collaborating with employers to create transparent job descriptions, equitable compensation structures, and inclusive hiring practices, we promote fairness, ethical recruitment, and a stronger foundation for the industry.
We focus on building a pipeline of skilled talent to meet the evolving needs of the industry. By aligning with core values such as expertise, fair and inclusive hiring practices, and workforce sustainability, we help foster a culture that drives long-term growth and ensures success for both employers and professionals. Our commitment to workforce sustainability emphasizes placing talent in roles where they can thrive and contribute to the long-term success of the organizations we serve.
Unlock Your Potential with the Right Partnership
The CAZA Collective specializes in making the connections that matter. Whether you’re a business in need of skilled professionals or a candidate ready for a new challenge, we’re here to help you succeed.
