Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Riverside for 2024. Though Riverside, California, was originally built around the citrus industry, the region now boasts several diverse industries. Among them are retail, construction, health and social services, hospitality, and manufacturing.
Home to 24 nationally registered historic sites, residents flock to this area for the rich history and culture and stay for business opportunities and leadership roles.
Among these business leaders is retail executive Tiffany Galbraith. As the Marketplace Director for Best Buy, a nationally recognized brand, Galbraith started as a general manager and worked her way up to the director level.
We also recognize the accomplishments of Citlalli Rojas, a Managing Partner for New York Life Insurance Company. Rojas is a recruitment expert in the financial services industry with over 15 years of service to New York Life.
Finally, we extend honors to Marielle Calara, the Regional Vice President of Primerica, a leading financial services company in North America. Calara was promoted to the C-suite in less than four years after starting with the company in 2015.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Riverside for 2024.
1). Darla Longo
Vice Chairman/Managing Director, CBRE
Darla Longo is the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of CBRE, the global leader in commercial real estate services and investments. As a top-producing and successful real estate professional for over 40 years, Longo specializes in investment sales, sale lease-backs, leasing, user and land sales, and recapitalizations of institutional investment properties.
Longo is known for her creative thinking and possesses unique and proven negotiating skills that allow clients to achieve the highest and best value for their investment asset, as proven by continual repeat business. Her passion and work ethic have won her a national award every single year during her career for top performance at CBRE. Longo is the first woman in the company’s history to be elected to the CBRE Board of Directors. In 2021, CBRE recognized Longo with the highest honor of her career by naming a national award after her, The Darla Longo Award, which recognizes one next-generation producer who is the best and brightest in their industry.
Longo is part of the National Partners (NP) team, a group of the leading industrial capital market professionals at CBRE across the United States. For 19 years she was part of the board of directors at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada Flintridge and retired as chair. She is currently a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department. She graduated from UCLA (’79) and has three children with her husband Sam Longo.
2). Krysta Guerrero
Senior Director, Development, University of California Riverside
Krysta is the Senior Director of Development at the University of California Riverside, which is a member of the Association of American Universities. Guerrero first joined the athletics department's external relations staff as the associate director of development in July 2012. She was promoted to director in 2015 and took over as interim senior director in 2023. In less than a year, she was appointed to the position full-time.
Previously, Guerrero served Eastern Washington as the assistant athletics advancement director for five years. During her tenure at EWU, she was the primary annual gifts fundraiser for athletics. She oversaw the operations of their athletic association and worked in collaboration with Alumni Advancement and University Development to identify new annual and major gift donors. Guerrero also has customer relations experience in the travel industry.
Guerrero graduated from the University of Redlands with an MBA and from Eastern Washington University with an undergraduate degree in business administration, general management, and human resource management. She is an active member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) and is a two-year Diversity Initiative Award recipient.
3). Amy Ostrand
Field Director - Orange County Markets, Banfield Pet Hospital
Amy Ostrand is the Field Director of Orange County Markets for Banfield Pet Hospital. Founded in Portland, OR, in 1955, Banfield is the largest veterinary practice in the world and an innovative leader in the industry. In 2007, Banfield joined the Mars, Inc. family of businesses, and today they are 1,100 hospitals strong with over 20,000 associates working to give pets the highest quality veterinary care across the United States and Puerto Rico.
Ostrand is an experienced veterinary leader with more than 12 years of experience in the field. She has a proven track record of successfully managing and leading teams, streamlining operations and maintaining high-quality standards of care. She excels at building relationships with clients and staff and fostering a culture of collaboration.
She first joined Banfield Pet Hospital in 2007 as a veterinary practice manager. In this role, she was an innovative and passionate leader with a proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering profitable growth and sustainable business outcomes. Ostrand graduated from Chaffey College.
4). Yevette Baysinger
Executive Director, American Red Cross
Yevette Baysinger began her American Red Cross career in 2003 as the director of fund development for the San Bernardino Chapter and became the executive Director in 2012. The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Baysinger successfully built and continues to maintain key relationships with donors and community partners throughout the Inland Empire. She is responsible for establishing and growing several important partnerships, most significantly one with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which has supported the Red Cross mission at the local, national, and international levels.
Before joining the Red Cross, Baysinger was the Foundation Director for Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside, where she was responsible for community and government relations. Baysinger is committed to being a life-long learner and has an MBA from CSU San Bernardino.
5). Isabel Marrero
Director, Field Based Operations Risk Adjustment, OptumInsight
Isabel Marrero is the Director of Field Based Operations Risk Adjustment for OptumInsight, a provider of revenue management and integrated healthcare documentation solutions and services.
With a wealth of expertise, Marrero excels in healthcare consulting, management consulting, and healthcare management. Her skills span Medicaid, Medicare, and health insurance, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the industry. Proficient in ICD-9, medical billing, and medical coding, she fosters strong provider relations, optimizing revenue cycles within managed care settings.
Her background includes a focus on hospitals and healthcare industry standards, always upholding the highest standards of HIPAA compliance. She is an expert in field-based operations, risk, quality, and network solutions. Earlier in her career, Marrero worked as a market manager.
6). Victoria Jagielko
Director of Transportation, West Division, PepsiCo
Victoria Jagielko is the Director of Transportation of the West Division of PepsiCo, a New York-based multinational company that manufactures, markets, and distributes food, snack, and beverage products worldwide.
Jagielko is an experienced director of transportation with a demonstrated history of working in the food and beverage industry. She is a strong operations professional skilled in operations management, carrier procurement, fleet, and front-line employees. She started with PepsiCo in 2018 as a regional transportation manager and was promoted to senior transportation manager in 2020. She started her current position in 2022. Previously, she worked in management roles for The Kraft Heinz Company and C.H. Robinson.
Jagielko graduated from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with an undergraduate degree in management and operations.
7). Leng Lo
VP, Citi
Leng Lo is the Vice President of Citi, a global bank connecting millions of people across hundreds of countries and cities. Lo constructs diversified and effective portfolio strategies tailored to help meet individual financial goals.
Previously, Lo was a financial advisor at Citi Personal Wealth Management, previously Smith Barney, where she gained valuable skills in portfolio management, asset allocation, strategic financial planning, and alternative investments. She started her career as a sales assistant at Citicorp Investment Services.
Lo graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Riverside.
8). Andrea Lona
Director, Cardiac Cath Lab, HCA Healthcare
Andrea Lona started her role as Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at HCA Healthcare in January 2024. Nashville-based HCA Healthcare is one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services, comprising 186 hospitals and approximately 2,400 ambulatory sites of care like surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, and physician clinics.
Before starting at HCA Healthcare, Lona was a clinical research nurse in cardiology with PIH Health for about two-and-a-half years. She has also worked as a field clinical specialist and a cardiac cath lab nurse manager.
Lona started her medical career as a cardiology clinical consultant at Abiomed. She now lives in Riverside, California.
9). Claudette Anderson
SVP, Enterprise Fair Lending Program Manager, Bank of America
Claudette Anderson is the Senior Vice President and Enterprise Fair Lending Program Manager of Bank of America, a North Carolina-based financial institution that provides personal and commercial banking products and services for individuals and businesses.
Anderson has always had a passion for business and supporting her local community. Her commitment to helping businesses reach their financial goals led her to a career as a business banker and treasury officer over 16 years ago. Before joining Bank of America, Anderson was an assistant vice president and business banking relationship manager at JPMorgan Chase. Before that, she was a vice president and business banking product manager at The Bank of Hemet. Earlier in her career, she worked with Lifetouch Portrait Studios as a sales and account manager.
Anderson graduated from Santa Monica College with an undergraduate degree in business law.
10). Arjaa Ibrahim
VP, Lending Market Leader, Bank of America
Arjaa Ibrahim is the Vice President and Lending Market Leader for Bank of America, a North Carolina-based financial institution that provides personal and commercial banking products and services for individuals and businesses.
Ibrahim’s career spans nearly two decades. She started in 2005 as a banker and mortgage loan coordinator at Bank of America. From there, she was promoted to mortgage loan offer in 2013 and then to operations manager in 2016. She accepted a VP-level role in 2017.
Ibrahim graduated from California State University-San Bernardino with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
11). Rose Ann Tuazon-Lavilla
VP, Senior Audit Manager, IT Platform Technology, City National Bank
Rose Ann Tuazon-Lavilla is the VP and Senior Audit Manager of IT Platform Technology for City National Bank. Since being founded in 1954, City National Bank has always prioritized helping clients, colleagues, and communities flourish, offering a full range of investment capabilities, brokerage and leasing services, and software solutions.
Tuazon-Lavilla is an experienced and self-motivated senior audit manager with 16 years of valuable experience in IT auditing. She brings forth a proven track record of successfully managing audit projects and delivering quality deliverables and reports. With an excellent understanding of risks, internal controls, and control deficiencies in key financial reporting systems and finance business processes, she excels in her role.
Starting at City National Bank as an AVP in 2018, Tuazon-Lavilla was promoted to her current position in 2021. Previously, she held leadership roles at KPMG, including a senior associate and assistant manager. Djelmane graduated from Far Eastern University with an undergraduate degree in accountancy.
12). Luz Soto
Senior Manager Business Operations, Kaiser Permanente
Luz Soto is the Senior Manager of Business Operations at Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s leading not-for-profit health plan, proudly serving 12.7 million members from over 600 locations in 8 states and Washington DC.
Soto’s first role with Kaiser Permanente was as a student volunteer in an internship program. From there, she moved into a part-time position with the company as a temporary administrative assistant, serving the events department.
Her first full-time role was working for the events and project management teams as an administrative specialist. Soto landed her first supervisor role in 2018 as a support services supervisor for volunteer services and events. She became the director of volunteers in 2022 and accepted the senior manager role in 2023.
13). Vita Willett
SVP, Area Manager, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan
Vita Willett is the Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente headquartered in Oakland, California, comprises Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and its subsidiaries, The Permanente Medical Groups, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., which operates as a nonprofit health care organization offering allergy, audiology, cardiology, dermatology, oncology, hospice, laboratory, nephrology, occupational therapy, pain management, pediatric rehabilitation, and pharmacy services.
Willett’s career has spanned nearly two decades in healthcare management and managed care. She has developed an extensive network in the industry, along with leadership, team building, and IT skills. She is well-versed in health policies, revenue cycles, EMR and EHR systems, and HIPAA compliance.
Willett graduated from California State University-San Bernardino with an MBA. She currently resides in Riverside, California.
14). Nanette Vergara
COO, Kaiser Permanente
Nanette Vergara is the Chief Operating Officer of Kaiser Permanente, an integrated managed care consortium that provides a range of healthcare services, including health plans, hospitals, and medical offices. It’s known for its emphasis on preventive care and its integrated approach to healthcare, where healthcare providers, insurance, and hospitals are all part of the same organization.
Vergara first joined the company in 1991 as regional director of operations. After over two decades serving Kaiser Permanente in this role, she moved into an administrative role as the assistant medical center administrator. In 2015, she was promoted to chief nurse executive and was appointed to the C-suite in 2020.
Vergara earned an MS in nursing from the University of Phoenix and an undergraduate degree in nursing from California State University-Dominguez Hills.
15). Ali Hansen
Director, Business Development, Bernards
Ali Hansen is a Director of Business Development at Bernards, an employee-owned commercial builder and construction management company, she leverages her 15 years of industry experience to deliver outstanding services to clients and partners and specializes in the K-12 and community college market sector.
She is passionate about networking and collaborating with other professionals in the architectural, engineering, and construction industries, and sharing her insights and expertise on upcoming opportunities and trends. She currently serves as the 2024 Vice President of the Business Development Association of the Inland Empire (BDA/IE), an association that provides valuable resources and events for lead generation and teaming. She is also a Board Member of Associated General Contractors (AGC) Southern California Inland Empire chapter, an association that provides a full range of services satisfying the needs and concerns of its members, thereby improving the quality of construction and protecting the public interest. Her goal is to contribute to the growth and innovation of the construction industry and to foster long-term relationships with clients and partners.
Ali received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a Minor in Leadership from University of San Diego and also was a Division 1 College Athlete in Women’s Soccer.
16). Maria Austin
VP, Community Outreach, Wells Fargo
Maria Austin is the Vice President of Community Outreach at Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo & Company provides a diversified set of banking, investment, mortgage products and services, and consumer and commercial finance.
Austin started at Wells Fargo as a regional outreach manager. She was promoted to the C-suite in 2011 when she accepted the role of associate vice president and community outreach representative.
Austin was appointed to her current position with Wells Fargo in 2018. She currently resides in San Bernardino, California.
17). Yolanda McKinney
Director, Front Office Operations, DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport
Yolanda McKinney is the Director of Front Office Operations at DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport. Hilton is a leading global hospitality company comprising more than 7,500 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories.
With over three decades in the field, McKinney is highly skilled in hospitality management, leadership development, and customer service. She has been with DoubleTree since 1993 when working as a director for DoubleTree Hotel Plaza Las Fuentes. From there, she went to DoubleTree Guest Suites in Tucson, AZ. She was appointed to her current role in 2000.
McKinney graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
18). Bette Gill
Director, Sales & Marketing, Hilton
Bette Gill is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Hilton, a leading global hospitality company comprising more than 7,500 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms in 126 countries and territories.
Gill has 19 years of experience in sales and marketing. Before starting her current role at Hilton in 2009, she was at the director level with the Hilton Hotel Ontario Airport, where she served for about three years. Her first role with the company was as a director of sales and marketing at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights in 2006.
Early in her career, Gill was the director of sales and marketing for Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center, and she was in national sales for PHM Hospitality. She currently lives in Ontario, California.
19). Christina Ngoc Cao
Senior Corporate Director, Pharmacy/Consultant, CPS
Christina Ngoc Cao is a leader in the pharmacy and healthcare industry with 20 years of experience in her chosen field. In her current role as Senior Corporate Director of Pharmacy with the Solution Team at CPS, LLC, she plans, organizes, and supervises operational activities in pharmacy practice settings according to hospital policies, standards of practice of the profession, and state and federal laws. She assesses issues and recommends improvements related to patient care, efficiency, and financial performance in the facility assigned.
Cao acts as Interim health system director, director of pharmacy, consultant, and project team member as assigned. She has expertise in developing innovative solutions and process improvement and leveraging a combination of technology and management savvy for success in a matrix environment. She has demonstrated proficiency in pharmacy law and regulation, project management, facilitating change, automation, strategic planning, quality improvement, and cost savings initiatives.
Cao obtained her Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of Florida in 2004. While working full-time in her leadership role, she enrolled and obtained her MBA in 2022 to help with her career goal. She is married with three children, and her oldest son will be attending the University of Riverside (UCR) majoring in Biochemistry after being chosen to receive UCR's most prestigious award, the Chancellor's Scholarship based on his academic achievements.
20). Haley Stuligross
HR Director - West Coast Distribution Center, Procter & Gamble
Haley Stuligross is the HR Director of the West Coast Distribution Center for Procter & Gamble, an Ohio-based consumer goods company that manufactures and supplies household, personal, and healthcare products around the world.
Stuligross first joined P&G in 2015 as an associate HR manager of global business services. She was promoted to HR manager in 2017 and senior manager in 2019. She accepted the role of HR director in 2021 and started her current position in 2022.
Stuligross earned an undergraduate degree in human and organizational development and corporate strategy from Vanderbilt University.
21). Tiffany Galbraith
Marketplace Director, Best Buy
Tiffany Galbraith is the Marketplace Director of Best Buy. With over 1,000 stores and more than 90,000 employees in the United States and Canada, Best Buy solves key human needs in the areas of productivity, security, health, entertainment, connectivity, and more.
Galbraith started at Best Buy in 2012 as a general manager. She served in this capacity for over a decade, strengthening her skills in loss prevention, visual merchandising, inventory management, store operations, and team leadership. She was promoted to a director role in 2023.
Galbraith earned an undergraduate degree in marketing and management from California Baptist University.
22). Tina Orr
Director, Regional Managed Care Operations, Tenet Healthcare
Tina Orr is the Director of Regional Managed Care Operations at Tenet Healthcare, a diversified healthcare services company headquartered in Dallas. Orr has diverse work experience in healthcare management and business development.
Overall, Orr has a strong background in healthcare management, physician relations, and business development, with expertise in streamlining operations, network development, and growth strategies. She served as the director of provider network management at CareMore. She has held significant roles at Detroit Medical Center, UC Irvine Health, Fountain Valley Regional Medical Center, and Molina Healthcare. At Detroit Medical Center, she served as the market director of ambulatory access services and was responsible for overseeing the operations of multiple hospital-based clinics. At UC Irvine Health, Orr was the senior manager of business development and led the growth strategies for the Chao Digestive Disease Center. She also worked at Fountain Valley Regional Medical Center, where she focused on business development and resolving managed care issues. Additionally, she gained experience in provider relations at Molina Healthcare, acting as a liaison between IPAs, healthcare providers, and various departments.
Orr earned a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix, focusing on health and healthcare administration/management.
23). Julie Triana
Director, Technical Project Management, ADP
Julie Triana is the Director of Technical Project Management at ADP. She first joined the company in 1994 as a project manager. ADP has a strong history of providing solutions for human resource challenges and changing world of work.
Triana is a results-driven product development management professional with over 15 years of experience delivering software quality products, quality methodologies, and implementing test automation processes with a passion for client experience. She is a proven leader with the ability to deliver and manage projects across multi-departmental technical and client organizations, reduce defects, and improve overall efficiency and productivity.
Triana earned an MBA in computer/information technology administration and management and an undergraduate degree in web development from the University of Phoenix.
24). Lucy Wells
District Director, Operations, Brookdale
Lucy Wells is the District Director of Operations of Brookdale, a Tennessee-based healthcare firm that provides services, such as assisted living, memory care, nursing, and retirement care for patients. Relationships are the heart of their culture. They help them create a sense of family among their residents, associates, and patients.
Wells started at Brookdale as a wellness coordinator in 2006. After over seven years in this role, she was promoted to health and wellness director. She served as executive director from 2018 to 2020 when she was made area director. She accepted the responsibilities of a district director in 2021.
Wells received her Licentiate degree, in Nursing Education from Four-D College, a since-closed nursing and medical career training college.
25). Jessie Sylvester-Smith
IT Area Director, Dignity Health
Jessie Sylvester-Smith is the IT Area Director of Dignity Health. She first joined the company in 2019. Dignity Health provides quality, compassionate healthcare at more than 40 hospitals and care centers that serve communities across California, Arizona, and Nevada every minute of every day.
Sylvester-Smith has over 20 years of experience implementing and operationalizing enterprise-wide technology and engineering solutions. She has held leadership positions in the healthcare, higher education, and utilities industries. Her extensive experience with stakeholder engagement, organizational change management, process optimization, and business readiness in conjunction with dynamic problem-solving skills make her uniquely qualified to lead transformational change initiatives.
Previously, Sylvester-Smith was a senior manager of program management at the University of California Office of the President. Before that, she was a senior program and project manager at Southern California Edison. Sylvester-Smith earned an MSIT in information technology and an undergraduate degree from National University.
26). Dawn Aparicio
Director, Operational Support Parks & Resorts, Delaware North
Dawn Aparicio is the Director of Operational Support Parks and Resorts of Delaware North, a global leader in the hospitality and entertainment industry.
Aparicio is a results-driven and collaborative learning and development professional and multi-unit operations manager with a 25-year track record of successfully developing individuals, building and directing teams, and leading and educating management and front-line employees to maximize sales performance and promote continuous improvement. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her ability to design and implement innovative corporate training programs, develop, adapt, and integrate solution strategies, and craft winning environments that consistently add value, increase effectiveness, deliver measurable outcomes, enable change, and enhance organizational integrity, viability, sustainability, and growth.
Since 2001, Aparicio has held positions of increasing responsibility, including general manager, assistant general manager, department manager, and supervisor, for Delaware North. Her scope of responsibility includes driving annual sales of $6 million and overseeing a team of 100 direct and indirect reports. Before 2001, she worked for Travel Centers of America as a restaurant manager.
27). Ashley Albarran
Director, Cushman & Wakefield
Ashley Albarran is the Director of Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest real estate services firms with approximately 50,000 employees in over 400 offices and 60 countries. Albarran has 20 years of experience. She began her career in 2004.
Before joining Cushman & Wakefield, Albarrane was a real estate operations at MNG Real Estate Investments. Earlier in her career, she worked with American Mortgage and Credit as a real estate coordinator.
Albarran graduated from San Diego State University with an undergraduate degree in economics.
28). Citlalli Rojas
Managing Partner, New York Life Insurance Company
Citlalli Rojas is a Managing Partner at New York Life Insurance Company, a New York-based brokerage firm that provides products and services, such as life insurance, retirement, and wealth management for individuals and businesses. In this role, Rojas strives to increase the awareness of New York Life's existing impact on personal and professional lives in the Inland Empire Area.
Rojas’ expertise includes recruiting within the financial services industry, with a focus on attracting, hiring, and retaining outside individuals with strong business acumen and superlative organizational, analytical, and strategic problem-solving skills. She first joined New York Life Insurance Company in 2008 as a financial services professional, offering securities products and services through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC). She was made partner in 2013 and continued her dedication to hiring and developing capable professionals from all backgrounds who can provide effective and innovative solutions for the problems people and businesses face.
Rojas earned an undergraduate degree in business administration and finance from The University of Texas-Pan American.
29). Benita Radcliffe
Regional Human Resources Director, Medline Industries
Benita Radcliffe is the Regional Human Resources Director of Medline Industries. Medline is a healthcare company, manufacturer, and distributor, doing business in more than 125 countries and territories around the world. They provide the quality medical products and solutions their customers need to deliver their best care to every person in every care setting.
Radcliffe is an experienced hands-on leader and HR business partner with a demonstrated history of success in all aspects of HR. Skilled at driving results and building partnerships, she excels in creating an inclusive environment within a multi-functional team. She is proficient at creating training programs to build and grow high-performing, engaged teams that consistently achieve results.
Before joining Medline Industries, Radcliffe was a regional people partner in associate relations and HR operations at Sam's Club. Before that, she was a district human resources manager at The Home Depot. Earlier in her career, she worked with Viking Office Products as a training manager. Radcliffe graduated from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with an undergraduate degree in finance, real estate, and law. She also studied microbiology at California Lutheran University.
30). Patricia Jaime
VP, MUFG
Patricia Jaime is the Vice President at (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). MUFG is one of the world's leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, it has a global network with over 2,100 locations in more than 50 markets, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Jaime has over two decades of industry experience. In her current role, she leverages skills in communication, negotiation, and strategic sourcing. She’s also a skills manager in several areas, including supplier relationships, projects, categories, and inventory.
Jaim has an Associate’s degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. She is also a Certified Sourcing Professional (CSP) through SIG University, an inclusive, internationally recognized online university with a mission of advancing the sourcing and risk management industries.
31). Lorie Lopez
Commercial Team Director, Operations (Parent Company of Care), Falck
Lorie Lopez is the Commercial Team Director of Operations at Falck, a global market leader in emergency response and healthcare services. She oversees the implementation of new/start-up contracts and works with area management to ensure the organization’s daily business activities are displayed publicly and online. She is responsible for ensuring area management understands how to manage their resources, develop and implement their operational plan, and ensure that procedures are carried out properly.
As a passionate and dedicated EMS Leader, Lopez brings more than 25 years of recognizable leadership skills and an exceedingly above-average work ethic to her role. A visible self-starter and enthusiastic team member, she has a proven track record of success in developing and managing new "start-up" operations, program services, and organizational plans. As an employee advocate and committed business partner, she takes pride in balancing the goals and objectives of the organizations she serves with the needs and desires of her team.
Previously, Lopez was a division manager at Care Ambulance Services, Inc. Before that, she was an EMT skills instructor at Pasadena City College. Earlier in her career, she worked with Hoag Hospital as an office assistant in patient transportation. Lopez earned an undergraduate degree in animal sciences from New Mexico State University. She received her EMT certificate through Rio Hondo College.
32). Quynh Ly
Director, Sales Marketing, Aimbridge Hospitality
Quynh Ly is the Director of Sales Marketing at Aimbridge Hospitality, a Texas-based hotel management company that develops, manages, and acquires hotel assets with more than 1,500 hotels in over 20 countries.
Ly first got her start in 2016 as a guest service agent at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. From there, she went on to Residence Inn by Marriott. She eventually rose to the position of sales coordinator at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, her most recent position before joining Aimbridge Hospitality.
Ly graduated from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with an undergraduate degree in hospitality administration/management.
33). Jan Brantley
Senior Director, Project Management, AIG
Jan Brantley is the Senior Director of Project Management at AIG. American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading global insurance organization. AIG member companies offer insurance solutions that help businesses and individuals in approximately 70 countries and jurisdictions protect their assets and manage risks.
Brantley has 20 years of experience. Before joining AIG, she was a senior financial planning manager as self-employed. Before that, she was a human resources director at IMPACT Productivity Inc.
Brantley graduated from California State University, Long Beach with an undergraduate degree in business, management, marketing, and related support services.
34). Lisa Martin
Executive Director Safety & Pharmacovigilance, Kite Pharma, a Gilead company
Lisa Martin is the Executive Director of Safety and Pharmacovigilance at Kite Pharma, a Gilead company. At Kite, their singular focus is cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer. Their goal is to bring the promise of cell therapy to as many eligible patients as possible who may benefit.
Martin has nearly two decades of industry experience. Before joining Kite Pharma, she was a pharmacovigilance senior scientist at Amgen. Earlier in her career, she worked with UCLA as a postdoctoral researcher.
Martin graduated from UCLA with a PhD in Molecular Toxicology, from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health with an MS in environmental health science, and from Indiana University Bloomington with an undergraduate degree in biology.
35). Alexis Alvarez
VP, Operations, US Foods
Alexis Alvarez is the Vice President of Operations of US Foods. US Foods is an Illinois-based food distribution firm that offers frozen and dry food products for restaurants, schools, hospitals, and hotels.
With her medical military logistics background, Alvarez led overseas military deployments to establish warehouses from ground zero. She is an expert in leading culture change, increasing productivity, decreasing Operational Shrink, and overall improving cost per piece. Her passion lies in developing strong-thinking leaders.
Alvarez first joined US Foods in 2012 as an operations supervisor. She was promoted in 2017 to warehouse manager and then to operations manager III in 2018. She then spent a few years working as director of warehouse operations at Sysco, She returned to US Foods in 2021 as director of operations and was promoted to VP in 2022.
36). Priscila Garcia
Program Director, Secondary Education, Stanford University
Priscila Garcia is the Program Director of Secondary Education at Stanford University. Her professional experiences are informed by her experiences as a first-generation college student and are rooted in her desire to contribute to more equitable practices and policies in education and the world. Her experiences in education are varied, and she has worked closely with students at every level of education. She is deeply committed to student leadership development, dialogue across differences, and education access.
Garcia was formerly one of the student outreach and engagement coordinators at the Haas Center. In that role, she advised students as they began or continued their commitment to public service, and she also led outreach efforts to highlight public service at Stanford via the Cardinal Service initiative. Before coming to Stanford, she was the post-baccalaureate fellow for educational outreach at the Draper Center for Community Partnerships, where she coordinated programming and advising for the Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS), a college access program that collaborates with students of historically marginalized communities. In her broader role, she supported Pomona College’s efforts to create mutually beneficial engagement opportunities for students in the community. She also served as an on-call dean for the Division of Student Affairs.
Garcia was born and raised in Southern California, and she attended Pomona College, where she majored in English and minored in sociology. During a leave from Pomona College, she attended Chaffey College, where she received an AA degree. While Garcia was completing her undergraduate degree, she also worked at Chaffey College, where she tutored and mentored students. One of the most enjoyable aspects of her work was demystifying the transfer process and enabling students to concretize a plan for their academic success. As part of her work in education, Garcia enjoys leading workshops on intersectionality, gender, self-care, and mental health, and she is more than happy to share her knowledge and experience with the Stanford community.
37). Marielle Calara
Regional VP, Primerica
Marielle Calara is the Regional Vice President of Primerica, a leading financial services company in North America, with more than 2,000 corporate employees who support more than 135,000 licensed independent representatives providing financial education and offering financial products and services to their clients.
Calara started at Primerica in 2015 as a senior regional leader. In less than four years, she was promoted to her current VP role. Before joining Primerica, Calara was an HR generalist at Solano Community College. Earlier in her career, she worked with Doctors Medical Center as an HRIS and a compensation analyst.
Clara graduated from Adventist University of the Philippines with an undergraduate degree in psychology.
38). Danielle Oehlman
Director, Stater Bros. Charities, Stater Bros. Markets
Danielle Oehlman is the Director of Stater Bros. Charities for Stater Bros. Markets, a California-based company that owns and operates a chain of 172 supermarkets across the United States. Oehlman is responsible for leading and developing the company’s philanthropic efforts.
Oehlman specializes in nonprofit organization management, corporate philanthropy, grant-making and stewardship, corporate partnerships, integrated fundraising, cause marketing, public relations, and event planning. She is a passionate and purpose-driven leader dedicated to helping build stronger, more resilient communities through the power of philanthropy. She is a skilled professional with a demonstrated history of working in the nonprofit industry, corporate philanthropy, and grocery industry.
Oehlman first got her start in 2000 as an administrative assistant at Anthony Manufacturing. From there, she eventually rose to administrative/bookkeeper at Jansen Ornamental Supply Co., her most recent position before joining Stater Bros. Markets.
39). Ebony Bryant
Program Director, The GEO Group
Ebony Bryant is the Program Director of The GEO Group, a Florida-based company that provides operations management and construction of secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers.
Bryant started her career as a corrections officer at the Virginia Department of Corrections in 2007. She is a highly organized, ambitious, and detail-oriented program manager with over 20 years of experience working with individuals, groups, and families in the re-entry field.
Bryant graduated from Grand Canyon University with an MS in psychology and from Virginia State University with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice.
40). Carla Silveira
VP, Logistics, Lineage Logistics
Carla Silveira is the VP of Logistics at Lineage Logistics, the world's most innovative provider of temperature-controlled supply chain and logistics solutions. They are responsible for storing, handling, and transporting food products around the globe.
As VP, Silveira is responsible for the overall strategy and execution of Lineage Logistics’ drayage and customs brokerage operation. She provides dedicated fleet solutions, drayage services, custom brokerage, export services, and 4PL services. Her key activities include procurement, business development, system implementation, process improvement, P&L management, budgeting, operation start-up, fleet management, developing policies, programs, and procedures, driving team performance, and managing KPIs.
Earlier in her career, she worked as a logistics manager at JBS. Silveira graduated from the University of West Georgia with an MBA in business/commerce and from Henderson State University with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
41). Charity Cartwright
Executive Director, Payor Contracting, Loma Linda University Medical Center
Charity Cartwright is the Executive Director of Payor Contracting at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Loma Linda University Healthcare (LLUHC), a management service organization, supports the many programs and services provided by over 400 faculty physicians. LLUMC operates some of the largest clinical programs in the United States in areas, such as neonatal care and outpatient surgery.
Cartwright has been with Loma Linda University Medical Center since 1995. In her role, she leverages her many skills in finance, healthcare, management, research, and team building. She is also adept in healthcare information technology, physician relations, and contract management and negotiation, as well as being an experienced public speaker.
Cartwright earned a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from California State University-San Bernardino.
42). Lisa Reece
VP, HDR
Lisa Reece is the Vice President of HDR, a Nebraska-based engineering company that provides services like asset management and environmental planning for sectors, including finance and education.
Reece has more than 20 years of expertise in the A/E industry, developing new business through internal and external relationships, understanding client program needs, and developing teams and strategies to secure work and assist their clients in delivering their programs. She leverages her experience in transportation engineering, program management, sustainability, and business development to serve in her VP role.
Reece earned an undergraduate degree in English and communications from Randolph College.
43). Monica Carson
Director, UCR Center for Glial-Neuronal Interactions
The Center for Glial-Neuronal Interactions (CGNI) in UCR's School of Medicine seeks to promote lifelong brain health through its research and education missions. Monica Carson serves as the Director.
Previously, Carson was an editor-in-chief at ASN NEURO. Before that, she was a professor of biomedical sciences at the University of California, Riverside. She has been an active member of the American and International Neurochemistry Societies since graduate school, serving in multiple roles, including President of each society.
She received her AB degree from Bryn Mawr College and her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on identifying CNS-Immune System interactions with a specific focus on the role of microglia in supporting lifelong brain health and how genetics, inflammation, and environmental insults trigger and/or exacerbate neurodegenerative disorders.
44). Kayla McCarthy
School Engagement Development Director, American Heart Association
Kayla McCarthy is the School Engagement Development Director of the American Heart Association, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. They are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities.
McCarthy has 13 years of experience. Before joining the American Heart Association, she was an administrative assistant at the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Before that, she was a library assistant at the University of Kansas Spahr Library. Earlier in her career, she worked with Atwood Archery as an archery instructor.
McCarthy graduated from The University of Kansas School of Business with an undergraduate degree in business, management, marketing, and related support services.
45). Diana Herweck
Clinical Director, University of Phoenix
Diana Herweck is the Clinical Director of the University of Phoenix. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). Much of her clinical experience is in the area of child abuse, working with children and their families. She is proficient in American Sign Language and has spent a great deal of time working with the deaf population. In addition, she has worked with adolescents in substance recovery and various schools, county mental health, and social services. She has worked as a forensic interviewer, conducting more than 1,000 interviews of alleged victims of various crimes, primarily child sexual abuse. She has also been actively involved in EC730 custody evaluations. Currently, her clinical focus is grief and loss.
Herweck has been teaching in higher education for about 25 years. She joined Palo Alto University in 2018 as an adjunct faculty. She has trained for divisions of both San Diego State University and California State University San Bernardino, with their Public Child Welfare Training Academy, teaching child protective services workers throughout Southern California. She has also taught for California State Fullerton in the MFT program, as well as the University of Redlands in the psych program. She served as the clinical director at a private university’s community counseling center for 10 years, where she was responsible for MFT and PCC traineeships.
Herweck is actively involved in the California MFT Consortium, where she is on the leadership committee and chair of the Inland Empire MFT Consortium (in Southern California). Herweck received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication Disorders from the University of Redlands. Her Master’s degree is in Clinical Psychology, with an MFCC emphasis, from Pepperdine, and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is from United States International University, which has since merged with CSPP and is now Alliant International University.
46). Wanda Jones
SVP, Group Director, Flagstar Bank
Wanda Jones is the Senior Vice President and Group Director at Flagstar Bank, a diversified consumer and commercial bank grounded in building relationships to meet clients where they are on their financial journeys.
Jones has over three decades of experience. Before joining Flagstar Bank, she was a senior vice president and center manager at Citizens Business Bank. Earlier in her career, she worked with Community Bank as a senior vice president and regional vice president.
Jones graduated from the University of Redlands with an MBA and from the University of California, Riverside with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
47). Takiya Moore
Director, Instructional Technology, California State University, Northridge
Takiya Moore is the Director of Instructional Technology at California State University, Northridge. CCSUN is a vibrant, diverse university community of nearly 40,000 students and more than 4,000 faculty and staff, sited on a 356-acre campus in the heart of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.
Moore developed continuing education programs for California State University San Bernardino faculty members in the areas of copyright and fair use, Americans with Disabilities Act Section 508 compliance, and universal design for accessibility. She regularly provides guidance and workshops to campus faculty on the various components of online education, technology, and andragogy. She served as the campus liaison for the first private-public partnership for online programs and performed market research on areas for potential international expansion of fully online programs offered by California State University San Bernardino.
Moore assisted the CEO and founder of Father’s Time, Inc. with the development and expansion of the company into the nonprofit sector and education market. The company has since been recognized by the Obama-Biden Administration for the work of the Fatherhood Academy in the Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. She also earned the distinction of becoming one of the top ten financial planning advisors for the Western Region of Waddell & Reed Financial Services company in my first year of licensure. Moore graduated from Argosy University Inland Empire with an EdD in Educational Leadership and Higher Education and from California State University-San Bernardino with an MPA in public administration.
48). Yvonne Graham
VP, Talent Relations & Events, Disney General Entertainment Content
Yvonne Graham is the Vice President of Talent Relations and Events of Disney General Entertainment Content. Walt Disney Television owns and operates a network of television channels that broadcast news, cartoons, and documentaries.
Graham is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience with expertise in media and talent relations, as well as strong communication skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with talent, representatives, and executives. Before joining Disney General Entertainment Content, Graham was a manager of talent relations at SOAPnet. Before that, she was a publicity coordinator at ABC Daytime. Earlier in her career, she worked with ABC Television as a production assistant.
Graham graduated from California State University, Fullerton with an undergraduate degree in communications.
49). Bunmi Palmer
VP & Business Analyst, PIMCO
Bunmi Palmer is a Vice President and Business Analyst of PIMCO, a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. In this role, Palmer manages the daily aspects of all projects, including process definition, goal documentation, facilitating meetings, gathering business requirements, issue management, change control, user acceptance testing, vendor management, and project team deliverables
Palmer is experienced in managing projects and staff for management applications. Additionally, she has expertise in writing technical documents such as test plans and software design specifications. She is able to work effectively and efficiently in a team setting or independently, with minimal supervision required by the client or stakeholder, while ensuring the delivery of quality products on time. She is proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Access, & Word) and web-based systems like JIRA.
Palmer earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from California State University, Fullerton. She has also studied catering and hotel management.
50). Belia Carabez
Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Amazon
Belia Carabez is a Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Amazon. The largest online retailer and technology provider, Amazon is guided by the principles of customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking.
Carabez first joined Amazon in 2016 as a senior human resource assistant. Previously, she was a human resources generalist at Security Industry Specialists, Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked with ConAm Management Corporation as a benefits coordinator.
Carabez earned an undergraduate degree in business administration and management from California State University, Los Angeles.