2023 AMG Leadership Conference
2023-04-10 | UCLA Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
SAVE THE DATE
This leadership conference will provide a full day of keynote speakers and professional development workshops. Both managers and staff will be inspired by fresh ideas and discussion, begin to rethink the status quo, and leave ready to tackle challenges in creative and innovative ways.
Monday, April 10, 2023
UCLA Luskin Conference Center
425 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095

UC AMP Conference 2023
2023-04-16 - 2023-04-18 | Marriott Residence Inn, Berkeley CA, 2121 Center St, Berkeley, CA, 94704
Save the Date!
The 53rd Annual UC AMP Conference
AMPlifying Connections
Hosted by UC Berkeley
Sunday, April 16, 2023, to Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Conference information, including the agenda (in progress), speaker bios, and relevant event updates will be circulated and made available on the UC AMP conference website in the coming weeks: http://uc-amp.org/
The registration fee is $495. You are welcome to register for the conference now: https://ucsf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6muSWSmrwezdxBQ
Our program will begin with an opening reception the evening of Sunday, April 16 and continue through Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Hotel group rates start at $229 per night plus tax will be available Sunday, April 16 through Wednesday, April 19. Conference attendees are welcome to reserve their hotel room now via the following link:
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1656636055974&key=GRP&app=resvlink
You can read about Residence Inn by Marriott’s health and sanitation precautions on their website: https://clean.marriott.com/
Mark your calendars and be sure to look out for our registration announcement!
Thank you,
UC AMP Systemwide Steering Committee

#iAMGrowing
2023-04-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
In honor of National Administrative Professionals Day, join AMG for a virtual lunch-hour session with seven of UCLA professional development treasures! We have seven programs joining us to tell you about the resources they provide administrative staff that are interested in the advancement of their career. You will have an opportunity to learn about programs developed with you in mind, that you may not know existed. Take advantage of what UCLA has to offer, and start your new journey with us.

Administrative Management Group 2023 Staff Excellence Awards
2023-05-12 12:00 - 13:30 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Dear Colleagues:
We are honored to announce this year’s recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Career, Excellence in Leadership (EXCEL), and Rising Star Awards. Each year, the Administrative Management Group (AMG) shines the spotlight on employees dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in their careers. The nominations received this year were outstanding, reflecting the diverse pool of talent across UCLA and making the selection decisions difficult.
Congratulations to all the nominees and the following 2023 AMG Award recipients:
Distinguished Career Award
Lisa Koerbling, Executive Director, Events & Transportation
Honorable Mention:
Deeona Columbia
Graduate Student Affairs Manager
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Karen Minero
Manager of Training and Outreach
Case Management Services, Student Affairs
Excellence in Leadership (EXCEL) Award
Todd LeGassick, Executive Director, Emergency Medicine, Center for Prehospital Care, UCLA Health
Rising Star Award
Devin Serrano, Superintendent, PreK-12 Programs and Schools, School of Education and Information Studies
View the list of nominees!
Supervisors are encouraged to approve release time so that employees can attend the celebration.
We look forward to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of this year’s recipients of the 2023 AMG Awards.
Sincerely,
Patty Gonzalez Johnson
Chair
Administrative Management Group
Lubbe Levin
Associate Vice Chancellor
Campus Human Resources

AMGreet: Meet the Board
2023-05-18 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA

AMG Networking Event | #AMemeGig
2023-07-05 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
CELEBRATE NATIONAL WORKAHOLICS DAY BY TAKING A BREAK WITH YOUR AMG BOARD.
JOIN US FOR A NETWORKING EVENT, GET TO KNOW YOUR PEERS AT UCLA!

Navigating Change
2023-08-10 12:00 - 13:00
Join AMG for a virtual lunch-hour session with UCLA CORE Trainer,
Nickle Van Wormer, MS for a workshop around Navigating Change.
his workshop will provide you with a deeper understanding of the
phases that people experience during significant change. We will
review strategies that can be applied immediately to leverage those
reactions and effectively navigate through challenging times.
Nickle Van Wormer is a Sr. Learning and Development Specialist at
UCLA Health. He has 18 years of learning and organizational
development experience. At UCLA Health he has led the launch of
the Employee Engaging Survey, and is currently focused on employee
engagement initiatives.
Questions: amgbruin@ucla.edu

The Art (and Practice) of Public Speaking
2023-08-24 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Have you struggled with public speaking, and not found a way to improve? Are you interested in growing as a leader, but not sure how to do so?
Either way, Toastmasters is an organization with approaches to build your confidence, tackle bad habits, and hone your technique as a public speaker. Join a talk with Christophe LaBelle to learn more about what
Toastmasters is, how it works, and the value it can offer you. Come ready to receive public speaking tips and tricks, and put them to the test in a safe and supportive environment!
Christophe LaBelle (he/him/his) works in the UCLA campus Office of Sustainability as an Analyst. Christophe primarily conducts research and analysis in support of UCLA and UC-wide environmental policies. He also manages a monthly newsletter and website for the office, and engages the campus community in sustainability programs and practices that reduce pollution and waste, while improving efficiency and equity.
Christophe LaBelle
Sustainability Analyst
UCLA Office of Sustainability

Public Speaking in a Virtual Environment
2023-09-20 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Join AMG for a virtual lunch-hour session with UCLA CORE Trainer, Nickle Van Wormer, Ms for a workshop around Public Speaking in a Virtual Environment. This workshop is the second part of our CORE series. Learn the secrets of public speaking for a virtual environment, how to transfer in-person public speaking skills to an online platform, how to use online tools to connect with your audience, and how to effectively use video conferencing features.
Nickle Van Wormer is a Senior Learning and Development Specialist at UCLA Health. He has 18 years of learning and organizational development experience. At UCLA Health, he has led the launch of the Employee Engagement Survey and is currently focused on employee engagement initiatives.

Future Proof Leadership
2023-10-04 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Join us for an exploration of the supracultural leadership concepts that were true one hundred years ago, are still true today, and will continue to be true in the future. This talk considers the significance of becoming future-proof leaders oneself and cultivating future-proof leadership in others. This presentation will discuss the distinguishing characteristics that leaders of every organization will require to secure the trust and respect of the people they manage, as well as to sustain the organization’s present and solidify its future.
Michael V. Jenkins has worked with UCLA Health for over ten years and is currently the Manager of IT Risk Operations for the UCLA Health Sciences enterprise. He also holds the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. Michael is a seasoned leadership consultant and a frequent speaker at regional, state, and national conferences.

Michael V. Jenkins, Ph.D., GSLC
Manager
IT Security Risk Operations

#AMGrounding Putting an End to Unproductive Meetings
2023-11-03 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Ending Unproductive Virtual Meetings (Slide Deck)
Chava Martinez Senior
Learning and Development Specialist
UCLA Health
Join AMG for a virtual lunch-hour session with UCLA CORE Trainer Chava Martinez for a workshop around Grounding and putting an end to unproductive meetings to avoid burnout. This workshop will provide you with a deeper understanding of the phases we experience during burnout. We will review strategies that can be applied immediately to leverage those reactions and effectively navigate through burnout, grounding ourselves and putting an end to unproductive meetings.
Chava (pronounced Hava ) has been with UCLA Health since 2016 and is a Senior Learning and Development Specialist with the Talent Management team. Chava’s areas of expertise include Leadership Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Change Management, and building workplace relationships. She provides learners with practical tools that help them enhance their work-life while building healthier connections with all those we serve.

ProShare 2024 Application Due Nov 30th
2023-11-24 08:00 - 17:00
UCLA AMG: ProShare 2024
WHAT IS PROSHARE?
Proshare is a signature initiative sponsored by the Administrative Management Group (AMG) available to all UCLA staff. Every year, ProShare brings interested staff together in small groups for a 6-month networking and support program from January to June. Longer meetings are welcome if it is feasible for the group. Given the hybrid nature of staff schedules, some or all of the group meetings may take place over Zoom to share successful workplace practices and resources within a confidential and supportive setting. Participants have experienced professional growth, built stronger networks across the university, and learned more about different UCLA departments, divisions, and offices.
WHAT WILL I GAIN FROM BEING PART OF THIS PROGRAM?
In addition to meeting new colleagues from across UCLA and bringing your specific areas of interest to your group’s meetings, you will build relationships with a brain trust you can call upon in the future. By attending meetings hosted by different UCLA staff, you will gain knowledge about the breadth and depth of university operations. Particularly with the changing nature of hybrid work, the need to stay connected is greater than ever. ProShare can play a crucial role in helping you remain focused on professional and personal growth while building authentic relationships and discovering new opportunities. In addition to the connections and knowledge that group members will take away, individuals who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.
WHAT DO THESE GROUPS DO?
Following the program launch in January, groups typically of 4-6 members will meet once per month through the duration of the program. Each month, the meeting will be hosted by a different group member who will determine the agenda and topics to be discussed. Typical meetings may include (but are not limited to):

A tour of the host’s facility or office, either virtually or in-person
A short presentation by the host about their division/department/office and their role
Confidential discussion focusing on issues the host is currently managing and a dialogue with the group about possible solutions and resources
A safe space for the group members to bring their own issues to seek feedback and advice
Mental health check and discussion of best practices that group members have found useful in managing stress at work
Share professional development resources
Optional group projects to be presented at the end of the program period

WHEN ARE THE MEETINGS?
There is a kick-off meeting at the beginning of the program in January, where you will be introduced to your group and determine meeting times, meeting format, and team norms. There will be a celebratory wrap-up meeting in June when the program concludes, where groups will share insights they have gained and goals they have set for their continued professional growth. In addition, there will be monthly meetings (virtual or in-person as determined by the group) hosted by each member. Because of the nature of the program, every effort must be made by each member to be present at all meetings. It is also essential that you communicate with your team in a timely manner any issues that may come up that may impact your participation in meetings. Meetings are an important part of this program. If your schedule is regularly impacted by unpredictable changes, this may not be the program for you.
WHAT HAVE INDIVIDUALS GAINED BY PARTICIPATING IN PROSHARE?
Check out the ProShare testimonial page here.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR PROSHARE?
Click here for the ProShare application.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Questions? Email us at amgbruin@ucla.edu. Please put “ProShare” in the subject line.
Do you know UCLA colleagues who would like to further develop their UCLA careers? If so, please forward this email to them and encourage them to join the AMG listserv and participate in the ProShare program.

Applications are due Thursday, November 30, 2023.
Apply Now

The Ideal Team Player
2023-12-05 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
In the book The Ideal Team Player, Patrick Lencioni focuses on the individual members of a team and showcases the three virtues that make some people one step ahead of others. The three virtues that embody this individual are humility, hunger, and smartness. Humble is the foundation of effective teamwork. This individual is not driven by recognition or ego; rather, they are willing to put the team before them. Hungry is how this person strives to be better and shows a strong, balanced work ethic. They are motivated to do more than what’s asked of them and take the initiative to reach the team’s goals. Lastly, being smart is about being emotionally intelligent. This person has a high awareness of what’s happening around them and in-tuned with their team’s emotions. In summary, these three virtues combined encompass what an ideal team player personifies and create a powerful force for innovation, collaboration, and achievement within any team.

Save the Date: UC AMP Annual Conference
2024-03-10 - 2024-03-12 | UC Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92507, United States
We are excited to announce the upcoming UC AMP Annual Conference, which will be held in Riverside, California, from March 10th to March 12th, 2024. We invite you to mark your calendars and save the date for this highly anticipated event.
Date: March 10-12, 2024
Location: Riverside Conference Center, Downtown Riverside
Accommodations: The historic and luxurious Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
As we look ahead to the 2024 conference, we are thrilled to share some exciting developments. This year’s conference theme is “Balancing Act: Navigating Success, Well-being, and Purpose.” We are carefully curating a program that will delve into this theme from various perspectives, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for all systemwide participants.
What will make this conference truly special is our commitment to harnessing the collective knowledge and expertise within our UC AMP community. For the first time, we are inviting our AMP colleagues to submit proposals for talks and presentations. This presents an excellent opportunity for you to share your expertise, insights, and experiences with your peers during the breakout sessions. We believe that your contributions will enrich the conference experience and elevate our collective understanding of the conference theme and look forward to receiving your proposal in response to the call, which is forthcoming.
Key points of the 2024 UC AMP Annual Conference:
Conference Theme: “Balancing Act: Navigating Success, Well-being, and Purpose”
Call for Proposals: We encourage you to consider submitting a proposal to present as a subject matter expert. Further details and submission guidelines will be shared soon, but start those creative engines now!
Networking: The conference offers unparalleled networking opportunities with your fellow UC AMP members and leaders in the field.
Professional Growth: Gain valuable knowledge and skills to enhance your role as a management professional within the UC system.
We will provide more information about registration, the call for proposals, and the full conference agenda in the coming months. In the interim, please visit the conference website at https://uc-amp.org for preliminary information and check out the Riverside Conference Center at https://riversidecvb.com/conventioncenter/ and the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa at https://www.missioninn.com/ for a glimpse of our venues.
Thank you for your continued dedication in all that you do, and we look forward to seeing you in Riverside in March 2024.

Unpacking the Value of Mentoring
2024-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Marian Gabra, Ph.D.Director, Advisor Training &Professional Development
Join AMG and Dr. Gabra as we explore the value of mentoring and how it fosters personal and professional growth. The session will demonstrate how to seek mentors and how to cultivate those relationships.
In today’s dynamic professional landscape, mentorship has emerged as a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth. Join us in this insightful workshop as we delve into the intricate layers of mentorship, exploring its multifaceted value and impact on individuals’ journeys toward success.
Some key highlights that will be discussed during the workshop: understanding the essence of mentorship, navigating the mentorship landscape, and cultivating meaningful mentor-mentee relationships.
This workshop is ideal for individuals at all career stages seeking guidance on finding the right mentor and interested in becoming a mentor, as well as those who are looking for valuable perspectives and actionable strategies to unlock the full potential of mentorship in your life and career.

2024 AMG Annual Leadership Conference
2024-04-24 08:00 - 16:00 | Carnesale Commons, 251 Charles E Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
REIMAGINING LEADERSHIP TODAY
FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
This leadership conference will provide a full day of keynote speakers and professional development workshops. Both managers and staff will be inspired by fresh ideas and discussion, begin to rethink the status quo, and leave ready to tackle challenges in creative and innovative ways.

This year’s conference theme considers what it means to lead in a post-pandemic world, where leaders are faced with the challenges of managing hybrid work, recruiting for and retaining staff, encouraging low staff engagement, and leading with empathy through mental illness and burnout, amongst many other hurdles. At the same time, the theme celebrates the opportunities we have as leaders to shape our workplaces into an environment where all our staff thrive and grow as leaders as we serve UCLA. This conference is open to all UCLA staff. Continental breakfast and a lunch buffet will be served.

2024 AMG Excel Awards Ceremony
2024-06-07 12:00 - 13:30 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
We are honored to announce this year’s recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Career Award, the Excellence in Leadership (EXCEL) Award, and the Rising Star Award. Each year, the Administrative Management Group (AMG) shines the spotlight on employees who have been dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in their careers at UCLA. We received many outstanding nominations this year.
Congratulations go to the following 2024 AMG award recipients:
For the Distinguished Career Award:

Paul Abramson, Director, Central Ticket Office
Michael Deluca, Associate Vice Chancellor, Campus Life

For the Excellence in Leadership (EXCEL) Award:

Kathleen Micham, Associate Dean of Finance & Administration, Physical Sciences

For the Rising Star Award:

Uyen Ha, Management Services Officer, Department of Community Health Sciences

All award nominees will be recognized in a virtual ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2024 from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Please RSVP at: https://ucla.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvcOmsqjkqHt03p1dkT5pSZ7cTneayWQgt.
To view the list of nominees, visit the AMG website at: http://amg.ucla.edu/.
Supervisors are encouraged to approve release time so that employees can attend the celebration on June 7, 2024, provided that the absence would not infringe upon the performance of required job duties.
We look forward to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of this year’s recipients of the 2024 AMG Awards.

Sincerely,

Gina Romero
Chair
Administrative Management Group
Lubbe Levin
Associate Vice Chancellor
Campus Human Resources

Breaking Down Self Care
2024-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Join UCLA AMG (Administrative Management Group) and UCLA RISE Center (Resilience in Your Student Experience) for this lunchtime session on “Breaking Down Self Care.” We encourage you to take this time to care for yourself as we enter the busy fall season! This workshop will help staff dig into the concepts of wellness and self care.
Staff will create their own definitions of wellness by considering personal and cultural factors; learn to identify their own stressors and stress warning signs; learn the difference between self-soothing and self-care; and break down the different aspects of caring for oneself. Staff will walk away with a deeper understanding of wellness and their own self-care toolkit.
Our presenter, Joshua Mayfield (he/him), is the Interim RISE Program Director. Josh was born and raised in Long Beach, California. He has always been passionate about people, community, and the ways in which we “do life together”. After completing his BBA in Business Administration in Marketing, he moved to Juneau, Alaska where he volunteered for a year at a youth center. That year changed his life, leading him to Boston College where he obtained his Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry with an emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling. With his degree he worked at his alma mater, Loyola Marymount University within the office of Campus Ministry. Seeking more opportunity to serve college students and work in the field of mental health, Josh gladly accepted a position at RISE where he is so happy to continue community building and walking with college students.

Leader Coaching Essentials Workshop: Asking Empowering Questions and Active Listening
2024-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Activate your leadership potential by empowering those you lead through coaching. Join our interactive workshop to explore the essentials of a coaching leadership style, including asking empowering questions and practicing active listening.
In this engaging session, you’ll learn to seamlessly integrate these skills into your daily routine, enhancing your leadership effectiveness while fostering a culture of continuous growth and excellence within your team. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your impact as a leader!
Lachelle Buford, Clinic Learning Coach Manager, has been with UCLA Health since 2021 and has over 20 years of experience working with leaders. Prior to joining the Learning and Organizational Development team, she served as the Human Resources Business Partner for UCLA Health’s FPG Finance division, as well as in similar roles at UCOP and UCI Health. Lachelle’s background also includes experience in other industries, such as financial management and technology. Throughout her career, Lachelle’s responsibilities have included being a strategic advisor, consultant, and coach to leaders across various teams. Her work has focused on people management practices, including change management initiatives, talent development and management strategies, HR integration and practice implementation, performance management, and building effective teams. Lachelle holds a master’s degree in business administration and is certified in leadership coaching through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Her passion lies in helping individuals and teams find solutions to challenges and overcome obstacles, ultimately contributing to their overall success.

Beyond Training: Creating Learning Strategies for Your Team
2025-03-13 11:30 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
In today’s complex and tumultuous work environment, continuous learning is key to team success, and professional development is key to retention and engagement. But how can managers, with everything else you have going on, create meaningful learning opportunities that drive impact?
In this session you will learn how to identify your team’s learning goals, define and clarify the impact you hoping learning will have on your team; and identify opportunities for your team members to learn new knowledge, apply new skills and behaviors, and reflect on learning.

Kelsey Duff is a board-certified coach executive coach, master facilitator and learning & organizational development consultant. She manages a portfolio of professional & leadership development programs and initiatives, where she helps UCLA employees increase their impact and enhance their careers through leadership and skill development, strategic personal exploration, and coaching. She is a UCLA alum who never left, with a degree in Art from UCLA, 14 years of coaching experience, and a passion for fostering engagement and excellence in others.
Kelsey Duff, BCC, ODCP
Professional & Career Development Portfolio Manager
UCLA Campus Human Resources, Learning & Organizational Development

AMG Lunch & Learn - Intentional Leadership: Fostering a Culture of Curiosity, Growth, Collaboration, & Inclusion
2025-04-15 12:00 - 13:00
The last several years have presented us with great challenges & opportunities within & beyond UCLA. It has become all the more critical to practice intentional & inclusive leadership to not only promote operational efficiencies but also staff growth, curiosity, collaboration & belonging. The Advising Communities of Excellence (ACE) Professional Development Program in which we lead, & the Center for Academic Advising in the College (CAAC) practice a staff-centered approach that cultivates learning, amplifies staff voices, & integrates staff perspectives into decision-making spaces. The result of a staff-centered model has been greater engagement, an openness to innovate, a drive for more thoughtful collaboration, & comprehensive support for students, staff, & each other within a community of care.
This session will share a framework for intentional leadership & demonstrate concrete strategies & initiatives to achieve these goals.
Marian H. Gabra, Ph.D. is the Senior Director of Learning & Development & Strategic Partnerships. In her role, she works collaboratively across campus to cultivate spaces of learning & growth for staff & students. She also works intentionally to build strategic collaborations between staff, faculty, & students. Marian also advises students in the Center for Academic Advising in the College. She earned her BA in English from Occidental College in 2002 & her doctorate in Comparative Literature from UCLA in 2010.
Alina Avila is the Coordinator of Advising Curricular Initiatives & Academic Advisor with the Center for Academic Advising in the College. Her experiences in ACE changed how she viewed her value & voice in various spaces across the institution & inspired her to turn the skills she has honed, such as advocating for students to faculty & leadership, towards amplifying staff voices. In her current role, she is able to work more directly with ACE to shift the campus culture built on institutional hierarchies.
Alina Avila. Coordinator of Advising Curricular Initiatives & Academic Advisor with the Center for Academic Advising in the College
Marian Gabra, Ph.D.Director, Advisor Training &Professional Development

AMG Lunch and Learn: Roles and Goals
2025-06-17 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
In this 1-hour interactive workshop, we’ll explore how to clarify your key roles—both personal and professional—and set meaningful, goal-driven priorities that elevate your daily work. You’ll discover how aligning your time and energy with what matters most can transform your productivity from ordinary to extraordinary.

AMG Lunch & Learn - Habits That Work: Building Better Professional Routines
2025-08-27 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Join AMG on August 27th for a Lunch & Learn with Lola Ivy from Campus Human Resources!

Session Description
Discover how small, intentional habits can enhance your professional development in this engaging one-hour workshop, Habits That Work. This session encourages participants to reflect on the routines that shape their daily work lives. Through guided activities and useful tools, attendees will understand what and how effective habits are formed, as well as explore how habits can be intentionally designed for greater success.
Presenter Bio
Lola Ivy is a workshop facilitator and career management coach with over thirteen years of experience working for UCLA. Currently, she works for Campus Human Resources (CHR), managing a year-long career development program called the Staff Enrichment Program (SEP). Lola also serves as Vice Chair on the Administrative Management Group (AMG) board. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning from Pepperdine University.

AMG Lunch & Learn: Coping and Thriving During Times of Uncertainty for Leaders
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:30 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Join us for this AMG Lunch & Learn on Thursday, November 6th from 12 – 1:30 PM with Liena Hsieh McCord, Assistant Director of the UCLA Staff and Faculty Counseling Center.
Lunch & Learn Description:
As uncertainty continues to surround us, its emotional is increasingly difficult to ignore – especially for leaders who must manage their own wellbeing while supporting their teams. The “Coping and Thriving During Times of Uncertainty for Leaders” presentation offers practical strategies to help leaders navigate emotional, physical, and psychological challenges, so they can cope and even thrive in their roles.
Participants will learn to:
• Recognize signs of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma • Apply self-care tools, including mindset-shifting techniques
• Develop a personalized self-care plan
• Build and maintain a psychologically-safe workplace
Speaker Bio:
Liena McCord is the Assistant Director of the UCLA Staff and Faculty Counseling Center (SFCC). Liena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has been in practice for over 25 years. Liena attended University of Southern California where she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work, and UC Irvine, obtaining her Bachelor’s in Psychology and minor in Sociology. Prior to joining UCLA in 2024, Liena provided behavioral health counseling, consultation, and presentations in other workplace EAP settings, such as Wells Fargo and the County of Los Angeles; worked with adults presenting with severe mental illness in outpatient and inpatient settings for the County of LA Department of Mental Health; and worked with adults, adolescents, and families in private practice.
Liena’s areas of interest and clinical experience include anxiety, depression, trauma, LGBTQIA+ communities, diversity, and domestic violence/threat concerns.

AMG Lunch & Learn: Best Practices in Career Development in the Age of AI
2026-02-24 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Register Here!
Whether you are looking for a career pivot or to climb the career ladder, this workshop will position you to not only stay relevant, but ahead of the curve leveraging artificial intelligence. Attendees will engage through the chat feature (no cameras or breakout rooms required!) in this interactive discussion, and will be given an opportunity to consider your mindset, tools to assess your current place in the career planning life-cycle, and best practices on how to successfully accelerate the next step in your career.
Speaker Bio: Afomia “Mia” Seleshi serves as a Director of Alumni Career Engagement at UCLA Alumni Affairs. In this role, Mrs. Seleshi has three responsibilities: 1) leading the campus partner programs team that leverages alumni in the career development of students from those departments, 2) facilitating the career management of alumni, including designing and organizing networking events with senior level speakers at top organizations around the nation, and 3) leading employer relations for the Alumni Association.
In her last of three roles of a 15-year career at UCLA Anderson School of Management, Mrs. Seleshi served as Associate Director of Student Life in MBA Student Affairs. Before joining the MBA Student Affairs team, Mrs. Seleshi was the Program Manager for the UCLA-UAI Global Executive MBA for the Americas Program.
While earning her Executive M.B.A. (EMBA) from Loyola Marymount University in 2019, Mrs. Seleshi travelled to Japan and China leading her capstone project team to first place in class with a proposal for a professional development joint venture between an American and a Chinese top tech firm. She earned her B.A. from University of California, Los Angeles in Communication Studies in 2011, and an A.A. degree from Santa Monica College in 2009- the same year she graduated from the UCLA Staff Enrichment Program.

Research Administrator Workshop
2026-03-19 - 2026-03-20 | James West Alumni Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, 90095, United States
We invite you to participate in a unique two-day workshop centered on research administration, focusing on pre-award, post-award, and compliance issues. This workshop is designed for UCLA fund managers and research administrators who have 0-5 years of experience, as well as anyone who is interested in learning more about this field.
This intensive program will dive into common situations in research administration and provide strategies to address them by exploring basic fundamentals, case studies, simulations, and collaborative group exercises.
Price: $295 (Including Meals)
If you are interested in participating, please register by March 13, 2026.
For additional information contact AMG via email, amgbruin@g.ucla.edu

Annual UC AMP Conference
2026-04-13 - 2026-04-15 | UCLA Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Registration Open!
We are excited to announce the upcoming UC AMP Annual Conference, which will be held in Los Angeles, California, from April 12th to April 14th, 2026.
Date: April 12-14, 2026
Location: UCLA Luskin Conference Center
Accommodations: UCLA Luskin Conference Center
Theme: One UC, Many Voices: Building Resilience Together!
Register Here.
Registration cost: $595
Hotel room rate for conference nights April 12 and 13: $329, the link to book a room will be provided after you complete your registration.

Mark your calendars for an inspiring and rewarding three days of scheduled keynotes, break out sessions, and networking opportunities with your peers and the University of California leadership members.
This conference is being planned by the 2025-26 UC AMP Board!

AMG Lunch & Learn - Your Well-being Story: Strategies that Fit your Leadership Narrative
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Join us for this AMG Lunch & Learn on Thursday, April 23rd from 12 – 1 PM with Dr. Drea Letamendi! Dr. Letamendi will guide participants in learning grounding and wellness techniques designed to lift your mood and fit your own personal story of leadership.

Dr. Drea Letamendi
Inaugural Director of Compassionate Response (CORE), UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Dr. Drea Letamendi (she/her/ella) is a clinical psychologist, mental health advisor for the entertainment industry, and two-time TEDx speaker with an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and her PhD from UCSD. After completing her postdoc at UCLA’s Department of Psychology, Dr. Drea served UCLA as a campus mental health leader, which included 3 years as the Interim Director of the UCLA Resilience Center and 8 years as the Associate Director of Mental Health Training, Intervention, and Response in Residential Life. In 2025, Dr. Drea began serving as the Inaugural Director of UCLA CAPS Compassionate Response, or “CORE.” CAPS CORE is the UCLA’s first mobile crisis response program that deploys a team of unarmed first responders who support, assist, and provide mental health care for Bruins in crisis throughout our campus community. Dr. Drea also has a private practice as a behavioral science advisor for the gaming, tech, and entertainment media industries and has written publications about the positive impacts of media on mental health, as covered in the Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. She also delivers trainings to studios to help industry leaders use science-backed behavioral health practices on-screen and behind the scenes. Among her recent publications includes: The Force Awakens: Using Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Using Star Wars. She is the creator and co-host of THE ARKHAM SESSIONS, a podcast about the psychology of superheroes. For more information visit her website, drdreapsychology.com.

AMG Lunch & Learn: Burnout, Resilience, and Energy Management Practices for Helping Professionals in Higher Education
2026-06-25 12:00 - 13:00 | AMG Zoom Event, UCLA
Higher education professionals are often called to be problem-solvers, caregivers, advocates, and leaders for others. Participants will learn how to recognize signs of burnout, understand the difference between time management and energy management, and develop sustainable practices that support both professional and personal well-being.
Speaker Bio: Cara Nissen, M.S., is a higher education professional, facilitator, and coach dedicated to helping individuals and teams lead with emotional intelligence, resilience, and inclusive practices. With over a decade of experience supporting university students and staff, Cara specializes in self-advocacy, leadership development, and workplace well-being.
