Michael V. Jenkins, PhD, Chair
Most leaders earned their first promotion by doing the work well. Leading the people who do the work is a different craft entirely. Michael V. Jenkins is committed to helping leaders grow into it. As Chair of the Administrative Management Group, Michael guides the development of the leaders who keep one of the world’s most accomplished universities and academic medical centers running. They are the steady hands behind the big headlines. They deserve more than applause; they deserve a path forward. His conviction is simple and stubborn: people are not resources to be used up; they are leaders to be raised up. That belief fuels leadership development that is counter-cultural in its courage, covenantal in its commitments, and community-building in its reach. It invests in the person before the position, and it prepares tomorrow’s leaders before tomorrow arrives.
An educator, author, and speaker, Michael has formed leaders in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities, mentoring rising talent and renewing seasoned professionals who are weary of leading alone. He holds a PhD in Leadership from Liberty University and an MBA from Webster University. Under his leadership, AMG is cultivating a community where leaders are seen, strengthened, and sent forward. Because when leaders are cared for, they carry everyone further. His mission: restoring the special dignity of human leadership.
Hannah Pingelton, Past Chair
Hannah currently serves as a Senior Program Manager for Student Life at the UCLA Anderson School of Management in their Full-Time MBA Student Affairs office. Previously, she was a member of New York University’s Faculty of Arts and Science, where she served as the Assistant Director for Student Affairs at Liberal Studies. Hannah earned her MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and her BA in Archaeology and Creative Writing from NYU’s College of Arts and Science. A born and raised Midwesterner, she has an affinity for the Missouri Tigers and Olive Garden breadsticks; in her personal time, Hannah practices TaeKwon-Do and boxing, and is working her way through an ever-increasing “to read” list. Hannah practices a professional philosophy rooted in student and community development through empowerment, advocacy, and leadership, and enjoys partnering with the greater University community to ensure our shared success.
Cristina Nissen, Secretary/Historian
Cristina became a (proud) Bruin in July 2022, and currently serves as the Manager of Student Affairs & Program Operations for the UCLA Anderson Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program. Cristina has a background in nonprofit development/fundraising/communications and event management, and holds her Master’s in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA), which she earned from California Lutheran University. Cristina earned her BA in Communication Studies, with a Minor in Marketing, from San Francisco State University (SFSU), where she lived for a few years, before returning to her home in Los Angeles to pursue her Master’s Degree. Cristina is a proud cat mom to Pickles and Edgy, two beautiful tabbies. She also has a passion for yoga, going to the beach, reading, and catching up with the latest show on Netflix/Hulu. Cristina hopes to return to her motherland of Greece, one day soon! Cristina looks forward to contributing to the AMG Board by building her network at UCLA, meeting new people, and growing professionally.
Gayane Hovhannisyan, Communications Liason
In her leisure time, Gayane enjoys attending live concerts, photography, traveling, discovering new cultural cuisines, and reviewing cafés/restaurants as a Local Guide on Google. She loves spending time at the beach with her family and taking her Maine Coon cat, Athena, on outdoor adventures. Gayane is looking forward to visiting Athens, Greece to explore her heritage as a Greek Armenian. She is keen to contribute to the AMG Board by connecting with fellow Bruins, enhancing her professional development, and educating the community on the importance of scientific research and the value of new knowledge. Gayane is a strong proponent of continuous professional and personal growth and is committed to mentoring future generations.
Alicia Goff, IT Coordinator
Alicia is currently working for UCLA Student Affairs IT, as a User Experience (UX) Designer. Has been a UCLA UX Co-Chair, BruinTech VP of Events and Member at Large, won an award at UC Tech UC Davis with the UCLA UX Coaching workshop, has volunteered for the Staff Assembly, at UC Tech UC San Diego and at UCLA Volunteer Day. Graduated with an AAS, CIT emphasis on Web Development 2012-2015 from Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, NV. Started working for an online travel company as an entry-level web developer and doing some graphics and social media. Fun facts: is a former professional dancer in most styles, learned opera remotely during the pandemic, and earned her SAG/AFTRA cards as a background actor and stand-in. Loves going to the park with her 4 year old pug on the long leash, a blanket and calendar book, as well as hiking at Runyon or Fryman when possible. Looks forward to working with the Administrative Management group and hopes to fulfill what is expected of.
Geno Mehalik, Events Coordinator
A UCF alum (BA, Ad/PR ’05), Geno worked in healthcare marketing for six years before beginning a new adventure: An AmeriCorps service year managing a conservation grant in California’s Central Valley. Next, he attended CSULB (MPA ’14) and began work as a student affairs professional and UCLA Bruin. As Outreach Manager for The Ashe Center, he has expanded his role marketing student healthcare services to include spearheading the center’s HRC HEI certification and planning campus-wide vaccination fairs. Away from the office, he also sits on the board for The Dru Project, a nonprofit combating gun violence and providing scholarships to queer youth. Geno loves to read (100+ books this year), travel (32 countries and counting), and is an avid birdwatcher (he even presented on Birdwatching for Skill Development at the American College Health Association).
Nancy Velasquez, Conference Chair
Chief Administrative Officer at the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, which is part of the Social Sciences division under the College of Letters and Science. Nancy has worked at UCLA over 25 years, in various administrative roles from Fund Management, Operations, Finance, and Management. Nancy has been involved with AMG since 2014, and enjoys collaborating with members to achieve opportunities for professional growth and development. As a lifelong learner, Nancy has a strong belief in professional development, along with mentoring others to strive for a greater success.
Patty Gonzalez Johnson, Conference Vice Chair
Patty serves as the Sr. Manager, Academic Operations & Course scheduling for the UCLA Anderson School of Management where she oversees the academic planning and scheduling process for the school, she is also the liaison with the Graduate Division and Registrar on course related matters. She has been with the UCLA Anderson School for over 25 years in various capacities which has given her a broad view of university operations and functions and a wonderful network of colleagues on campus.
Patty is passionate about personal and professional development and has served on the AMG board in various capacities over the last 5 years and currently holds the position of Conference Vice Chair.
Rosa Chung, Immediate Past Conference Chair
Rosa serves as the Management Services Officer for the UCLA Center for the Study of Women and Streisand Center. In her current role, she oversees the centers’ operations, administration, finances, personnel, and development. She’s served in higher education for over a decade and has had the privilege of working for multiple UC campuses including UC San Diego and UC Santa Cruz. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with Pogo, her rescue pup, and playing beach volleyball.
Brandi Madere, ProShare Chair
Brandi joined UCLA in October 2011 as an Administrative Assistant 3 in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. In 2013, Brandi transitioned to the role of an Administrative Analyst reviewing chart documents and CMS1500 forms prior to them being billed out to insurance companies. Brandi was then promoted to Oncology Authorizations Manager in 2015 and oversaw all of the authorizations coordinators in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. In 2019, I transitioned over to the Faculty Practice Group as a Float Manager for the Ambulatory Float Pool. In 2021, Brandi was promoted to Float Pool Manager of the Administrative Staff on the Ambulatory Float Pool.
Brandi enjoys reading different genres of books, skating and spending time with family.
Rashmi Umdekar, ProShare Co-Chair & Member-at-Large
Rashmi Umdekar is the Manager of HR IT Products in Digital & Technology Solutions at UCLA, where she leads the strategy, roadmap, and delivery of enterprise HR technology products, overseeing a cross-functional team focused on aligning digital solutions with institutional priorities, improving operations, and enhancing the employee experience.
Previously, Rashmi served as a Senior HR Business Partner within Digital & Technology Solutions at UCLA. In that role, she partnered with executive leadership to lead workforce planning, organizational development, change management, and strategic HR initiatives.
Rashmi brings over 20 years of experience in the University of California system, including 17.5 years at UCSD, where she spent a decade as the HR Business Partner for Information Technology Services. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership, cross-functional expertise, and commitment to building inclusive, high-performing workplace cultures.
She is a graduate of the Pathways to HR Director program through UCLA Law Executive Education and was honored as UC San Diego’s Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year in 2019.
Rashmi holds a B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Management from UC Irvine and earned her Professional Certificate in Human Resource Management from UC San Diego Extended Studies in 2010.
When she’s not working, Rashmi enjoys discovering hidden food gems, spending time with family and friends, or getting lost in a good book. She stays current on leadership trends and values connection and continuous learning both in and out of the workplace.
Peyton Nesci, ProShare Immediate Past Chair
Peyton Nesci is a UCLA alumna and is currently working as the HR Generalist at the Broad Stem Cell Research Center. In an effort to support the BSCRC’s mission to support innovation, excellence, and the highest ethical standards, Peyton acts as the first point of contact for anything HR related for her staff. This includes everything from providing a smooth and successful onboarding for new staff, to cultivating a positive and harmonious work environment for all. In her free time, she enjoys trying out new restaurants, reading fantasy books, and playing video games. Peyton is beyond excited to learn more about professional development, as well as continuing to provide resources for UCLA employees during her term as a Member at Large. Go Bruins!
Lisa Henderson, Member-at-Large
Lisa Henderson is a proud UCLA alum and first-generation college graduate who has been with UCLA since 2017. In her role as Administrative Event Coordinator in UCLA’s Office of Undergraduate Admission, she has a lead role in signature events such as Fall Open House, First Year and Transfer Bruin Days, International Bruin Bound Yield Events, and Faculty Yield Events for admitted students and their families as well as smaller events with campus partners and partners outside of UCLA.
A champion for higher education and its power to transform lives, especially within underserved communities, Lisa is proud to be able to work with and learn from an incredibly committed group of higher education professionals in Undergraduate Admission.
Beyond event planning, Lisa manages key operational logistics, including the coordination of UA publications and materials, travel arrangements, and reimbursements for the Undergraduate Admission team and staff traveling on its behalf.
Deeply committed to UCLA’s mission, Lisa brings both professional excellence and personal passion to her work. When she’s not supporting UA initiatives and future Bruins, she enjoys e-biking, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Laura Sheehan, Member-at-Large,
Laura Wennstrom Sheehan serves as Manager of Research Administration at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Department of Family Medicine. She has over 25 years of experience in academic research administration: 14 years in Family Medicine (UCLA), ten years in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (UCLA), and three years in Civil and Environmental Engineering (at University of Southern California). She is well-versed in several areas of research administration, including pre- and post-award management, management of research staff, divisional/departmental financial management, purchasing, and fellowship administration. She has supervised Family Medicine Research Unit staff, pre- and post-award staff, and typically manages approximately $10M annually in extramural contract and grant funding. UCLA Family Medicine is consistently ranked in the top ten Family Medicine research departments nationwide for federal research funding. Mrs. Sheehan has been an invited speaker and served as a consultant for universities in California, Nevada, and Wisconsin. She is an active member of the Society for Research Administrators International (SRAI), where she regularly serves as an course instructor, session presenter, and mentor, and has contributed as an author to various articles published by the SRAI Catalyst. Mrs. Sheehan graduated from the University of Southern California in 2003 with a B.A. in Communication with an Emphasis on Health Communication, and a minor in Performing Arts Studies.