“The Bruin Connection: Building Community through Leadership”
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Carnesale Commons
Open to all UCLA staff. This year’s leadership conference theme considers what it means to lead in a diverse and interconnected world. It invites us to explore how effective leadership is rooted in the ability to connect with others, understand their needs, and cultivate an environment where everyone feels empowered to share their voice and grow. This theme challenges us to reflect on our roles as leaders and encourages us to engage in meaningful dialogues and practices that ultimately drive positive change as a community. Join us for a full day of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and opportunities to meet colleagues across UCLA!
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
Registration rate: $145
Please provide FAU recharge information on the registration form. If paying by check, please make check payable to: “UC REGENTS”
– Mail checks via intercampus mail to “147807”
– Or send to the following address:
Nancy Velasquez
Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
10945 Le Conte Ave, Suite 2107
Los Angeles, CA 90095
– All checks must be received by Friday, April 4, 2025
Waitlist policy:
If you are on the waitlist, an email will be sent to you to register for any breakout sessions that open. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cancellation policy:
Please send a cancellation email request to amgbruin@ucla.edu by 12 pm on Friday, April 4, 2025 to cancel without charge. After Friday, April 4, 2025, you will need to find a UCLA staff substitute to attend in your place. This person will be attending the same sessions you signed up for. Please send an email by Friday, April 11, 2025, to amgbruin@ucla.edu with the name, email, title, and department of the person who will be your substitute. All others will be charged the full registration fee, no exceptions. Thank you for your understanding.
Media release:
By registering for the 2025 AMG leadership conference, you authorize the Regents of the University of California and their appointed agents to photograph, televise, videotape, film, audio record, duplicate, and/or transfer to any present or future technology material from this event of you and you agree that the Regents of the University of California, their authorized agents, employees, and assignees may use the videotapes, photographs, film, and/or audio recordings prepared therefrom for UCLA educational and marketing purposes. No “for profit” use of the recordings is intended or will be authorized. No compensation will be paid for this express use.
–
Morning connection:
“Time, Happiness, and Connection”
Dr. Cassie Holmes, The Bud Knapp Professor, UCLA Anderson School of Management
Our most precious resource isn’t money—it’s time. We’re allotted just twenty-four hours a day, and we live in a culture that keeps us feeling rushed and like we never have enough. Since we can’t add more hours to the day, how can we optimally spend the time we do have and feel confident in our decisions and more connected and fulfilled in our lives? Based on her wildly popular MBA class at UCLA, Professor Cassie Holmes will share how to immediately improve your life by changing how you perceive and invest your time. Through her groundbreaking research, Cassie will teach you how small changes can have an enormous impact, helping you feel less overwhelmed, more present, and happier—things that money can’t buy.
Morning keynote:
“Leading with Authenticity: The Power of Knowing Yourself”
Dr. Denise Pacheco, Senior Director, Diversity Programs & Initiatives
Moderated by Quenesha Caballero, Senior Quality and Safety Programs Administrative Manager,
Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine
Morning and afternoon breakout sessions:
“Generational Differences in Our Work”
Dr. Tanya Brown, Training Director, Counseling and Psychological Services
The presentation will review significant events, traits, and values about work from each generation, referring to Elmore and Twenge’s research on generational differences, as well as trends in training and work settings. Using this, attendees will identify challenges and opportunities for growth and connection among professional teams. The presenter will also explore how leaders may manage differences and expectations when tensions arise in the workspace. Finally, space will be provided for small group and large group discussion on ways one might be able to take specific strategies to implement in their units.
“Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Transforming Workplace Conflict”
Lola Ivy, Career and Professional Development Coordinator, Campus Human Resources
In this workshop, participants will explore the dynamics of workplace conflict and learn how to transform it into a catalyst for growth and collaboration. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of both productive and detrimental conflict by understanding the nature and types of conflict in the workplace. We will then use the foundational knowledge of the origins of work-related conflict to identify strategies to foster a more synergistic work experience.
“How Can Our Leadership Styles Promote Occupational Well-being and Prevent Burnout?”
Dr. Tabia Richardson, Director of Research and Operations, Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center
It’s imperative for leaders and aspiring leaders to understand how their leadership styles contribute to the amelioration or even exacerbation of occupational burnout for those they lead. During this session, scenarios will be shared to explore how one can lead authentically while increasing occupational wellbeing in the work setting. Some concepts explored during the session include: leading with compassion, identification of personal leadership style, self-awareness, active listening, and emotional intelligence.
“Beyond the Title – Insights on Leadership”
Shannon McClenton, Chief Administrative Officer, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Seira Santizo Greenwood, MEDPEP Director, Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture
Ardy Haghighat, Clinical Director, Department of Urology, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine
Eric Wells, Associate Vice Provost & Chief of Staff, Teaching and Learning Center
Moderated by Gina Romero, Manager, Training & Organizational Development, Events & Transportation
This breakout session will feature four leaders across campus as they share their experience leading with connection. How do other colleagues navigate the challenges of working at UCLA? What lessons have these leaders learned along the path to growth? How do they successfully lead to meet their mission with empathy and compassion? It’s a rare opportunity to host a panel with such a diversity of leadership positions and experiences. We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring panel!
Afternoon keynote:
“The Politics of Equity and Justice: How Universities Play a Critical Role”
Mikel Whittier – Director, Office of Health Equity and Inclusive Excellence
In a time when equity and justice are deeply politicized and polarized, universities are uniquely positioned to drive data-driven, community-centered equity initiatives. This keynote examines the intersection of healthcare, policy, and social justice, emphasizing how academic institutions can serve as anchors for community wellness, research innovation, and workforce equity. Using stories from Dr. Whittier’s experience, UCLA Health, and national health equity and social justice movements, attendees will explore strategies for institutional leadership in equity, justice, and advocacy.
–
Tanya Brown is a licensed psychologist based in Los Angeles, CA. She has worked at UCLA Counseling Psychological Services (CAPS) since 2009, initially as a post-doctoral fellow and currently as the Training Director. Throughout her career, she has actively worked in community and clinical settings to identify needs, tailor treatment and programming for underrepresented groups, and coordinate clinical supervision and training for psychology and social work graduate and postgraduate fellows.
Prior to her current role, she held various training positions where she aimed to integrate collaborative learning and critical reflection about diversity. She has published on topics including culturally responsive program evaluation, transformative learning processes, and community engagement. In addition to providing clinical supervision, she taught program development and program evaluation in the Masters of Student Affairs program at UCLA. She has also presented on ways to address multicultural issues in academic, clinical, and work settings. She actively participates in the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies (ACCTA), initially as a diversity scholar in 2018, member of the steering committee on diversity, and as a board member.
Her areas of clinical expertise include: acculturative stress, immigration transition and racial trauma, ADHD assessment and behavioral interventions, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, sexual assault, and coping with stress and major life transitions.
Quenesha Caballero joined UCLA in March 2020 and currently serves as the Senior Quality and Safety Programs Administrator for the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. With a deep passion for helping others in healthcare settings, she brings over 19 years of experience in clinically driven administrative roles, always striving to enhance the experience for patients, families, and colleagues. Known for her warm and engaging nature, Quenesha values meaningful connections and professional collaboration, which led to her role as the inaugural ProShare Chair.
In her free time, she enjoys salsa dancing, singing, writing poetry, and—most of all—cherishing quality moments with her four wonderful children, beloved family, and dear friends.
Seira Santizo Greenwood, B.A. currently serves as the Chief of Staff at UCLA’s Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture (CESLAC) at the David Geffen School of Medicine. She also serves as Director of the UCLA Medical Preparation and Education Pipeline program (MEDPEP). Originally from Guatemala, her path to UCLA was that of a non-traditional, undocumented, transfer student from Santa Monica College whose lived experiences have shaped her research and leadership style. During her 13-year career at UCLA, she has advocated for, empowered, and inspired students and healthcare providers to continue to develop their research and leadership careers. Her expertise in developing a personal, academic, and leadership curriculum has led to bringing together community and institutional partners to increase opportunities for underrepresented minority students to succeed in higher education and beyond.
Additionally, she serves as a convener for the University of California Office of the President, Systemwide Alumni Engagement & Diversity Initiatives supporting alumni engagement efforts systemwide. Seira continues her commitment to advocacy, service, fundraising, and mentoring. Her strategic vision rooted in elevating the U.S. Latino historic narrative inspired her to involve the international dance troupe, Ballet Folklórico Flor de Mayo to help tell the academic story of the real origins and significance of Cinco de Mayo in a publicly accessible way. Her research interests focus on the health outcomes of racially ambiguous populations and on the uses of the Latino Double Impostor Syndrome in health care leadership and equity.
Ardy Haghighat is the Clinical Director for the Departments of Urology and Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine at UCLA Health, where he oversees operations across multiple locations, leading a team of practice managers and supporting over 150 employees. With extensive experience in healthcare operations, he have successfully driven initiatives to improve patient access, quality of care, and overall clinic performance.
A proud UCLA alumnus, Ardy earned both an undergraduate degree and an MPH from UCLA, along with an MBA from Pepperdine. Passionate about leadership development and team building, he brings a deep understanding of managing large-scale clinical operations, fostering collaboration, and navigating the complexities of healthcare management. Ardy is excited to share insights on effective leadership and building high-performing teams in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Cassie Mogilner Holmes is the Bud Knapp Chaired Professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, an award-winning teacher and researcher on time and happiness, and bestselling author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most. Happier Hour is a Wall Street Journal Bestseller, and was selected as an Amazon Best Book of 2022, a “must read” by Forbes, the Washington Post, and the Financial Times, and was featured in such outlets as the Today Show, CBS Mornings, CNN, NPR’s Hidden Brain, and GOOP with Gwyneth Paltrow. Holmes’s academic research has been widely published in lead academic journals. The course that she developed and now teaches, Applying the Science of Happiness to Life Design, is among UCLA’s most popular for MBAs and Executive MBAs alike. Prior to joining UCLA, Cassie was a tenured faculty member at Wharton, and she has a Ph.D. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and a B.A. from Columbia.
Lola Ivy is a workshop facilitator and career management coach with over twelve years of experience working for UCLA. She began her career in the Summer Sessions Department, eventually managing the student affairs team as one of the unit’s associate directors. Currently, she works for Campus Human Resources (CHR), managing a year-long career development program called the Staff Enrichment Program (SEP). Lola is also a member of the Administrative Management Group (AMG) board, serving as the special projects coordinator. Lola’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA, and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning from Pepperdine University.
Shannon McClenton is an accomplished healthcare management professional with over 25 years of experience, including 15 years at UCLA. Throughout her career she has consistently delivered results in research administration, finance, and operations. Her expertise includes strategic planning, budget management, process improvement, and regulatory compliance.
In her current role as Chief Administrative Officer in the College of Life Sciences, Shannon focuses on leading complex initiatives, and multiple process improvement projects to enhance operational efficiency and financial outcomes. She is adept at building and leading high-performing teams, fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders, and navigating the complexities of academic environments.
Shannon holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and has completed executive leadership programs at the UCLA John E. Anderson School of Management. She is a former President of the Southern California Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) and is working towards becoming a Certified Executive Coach.
Shannon is a transformational leader, mentor, and coach. Shannon’s personal interests include traveling, inspiring others to live a brave and joyful life, reading and learning new skills.
Dr. Denise Pacheco is the Senior Director of Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives. In this role she leverages critical theory, best practices, and cross-campus partnerships to promote a culture of inclusion where alumni from all backgrounds are able to thrive and engage with the UCLA community. Dr. Pacheco serves as the staff advisor to the Diversity Advisory Committee within the UCLA Alumni Board, is a member of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost’s Dialogue Across Difference Committee and is involved in UCLA’s strategic planning efforts to become a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Dr. Pacheco comes from an immigrant, farm-working family that constantly affirms the importance of serving the community. Dr. Pacheco is a double Bruin, earning both her M.A. and Ph.D. at UCLA. At UCLA Dr. Pacheco has directed a writing counseling program, worked for two Vice Chancellors for Student Affairs, and served as an Associate Dean of Students. In these roles she adjudicated student conduct cases, supervised the conduct team, facilitated professional development training for staff in relation to issues of equity and diversity, and developed signature initiatives to improve campus climate.
Dr. Tabia Richardson, PhD, MPH serves as the Director of Research and Operations Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA, where she leads research efforts to promote health equity and improve health outcomes. A skilled public health expert, Dr. Richardson has extensive experience in overseeing clinical trials and conducting public health research at various medical schools and centers throughout the US. Her career is dedicated to advancing evidence-based research, leading innovative clinical trials, and designing community-focused interventions that aim to prevent disease, reduce health disparities, and foster health equity and overall wellbeing. Dr. Richardson has held leadership roles within academic research, healthcare, and non-profit health organizations. Her leadership expertise includes diverse therapeutic areas, with initiatives addressing critical public health issues, including occupational burnout and wellbeing, perinatal morbidity, angioplasty and stent procedures in coronary artery disease, hypertension, asthma, idiopathic fibrosis, pulmonary embolisms, COVID-19, and brain health. Most recently, her research examined how leadership styles impact the phenomenon of occupational burnout among female resident physicians. As part of the Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA, Dr. Richardson is committed to fostering an inclusive culture of health and helping UCLA students, faculty, and staff flourish and thrive.
Gina Romero, In 2019 Gina joined UCLA’s Events & Transportation department as the Manager of Training & Organizational Development. In this role she is responsible for training, talent development, overseeing performance management and coaching, as well as organizational development activities, including process improvements. She is passionate about helping people and organizations grow. Gina also currently serves on the Board of UCLA’s Staff Assembly. Before becoming a Bruin, Gina had spent her career in the private sector doing training, talent development, performance management, organizational development, and coaching for organizations of varying sizes. Gina holds a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from California State University, Los Angeles. Outside of campus, Gina lives in the San Fernando Valley with her family and their kitten, Lily. She loves to garden and cook at home.
Eric Wells is a quadruple Bruin, earning his B.A. in History (2004) and an M.A., C.Phil., and Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures with a specialization in Egyptology (2014). He currently serves as the Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Chief of Staff at UCLA, where he oversees administrative, financial, HR, IT, and strategic planning functions for the Teaching and Learning Center. In this role, he works closely with the Vice Provost to advance institutional priorities and spearheads initiatives that enhance instructional quality and pedagogical innovation across the campus.
A Los Angeles native, Eric has been a dedicated member of the UCLA community since 2011, holding leadership roles such as Academic Counselor for the Academic Advancement Program, Co-Director of Academic Program Review in the Academic Senate, and Chief Administrative Officer for the Life Sciences Core Education Department and the Center for Education Innovation and Learning in the Sciences. His career has been defined by a commitment to data-informed decision-making, strategic planning, and fostering excellence in teaching and learning.
Mikel Whittier is the inaugural director of the Office of Health Equity and Inclusive Excellence established April 2021 at UCLA Health. Mikel has vast experience advancing health equity and racial equity in health care settings like academic medical centers, state, and urban public health systems, and non-for-profit hospital systems. His work has focused on quality improvement and systems transformation to progress access to quality, affordable care for various marginalized demographics.
–
Thank you to our financial sponsors for supporting staff professional development!
Broad Center
Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
School of Theater, Film, and Television
Anderson School of Management
Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center
Business & Finance Solutions
College of Letters and Science
David Geffen School of Medicine Dean’s Office
Division of Undergraduate Education
Herb Alpert School of Music
Office of the Chancellor
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
School of Education & Information Studies
School of Engineering
School of Public Health
UCLA Health
Thank you to our amazing raffle sponsors!
ASUCLA
Bella Pita
California Pizza Kitchen
CPM ONE SOURCE, INC.
FedEx Office (Los Angeles Market)
Gorilla Marketing
Tangram Interiors/Steelcase
UCLA Athletics
UCLA Campus Human Resources – Learning and Organizational Development
UCLA Recreation