DEIJ in the Workplace

From an early age, Rafael developed a strong sense of self-belief, instilled by his loving mother who, despite facing financial challenges, made sure her child was filled with ambition and hope. This early encouragement ignited Rafael's aspiration to pursue his talents professionally and achieve success against all odds.

Rafael earned a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering in 2008. This achievement marked a significant milestone in his life, showcasing his relentless pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement.

Rafael's thirst for knowledge and personal growth did not stop there. He moved to the United States in 2013 to pursue his dreams. Last year, he proudly completed his master’s degree in Information Technology, further expanding his expertise in the ever-evolving world of technology. This academic accomplishment not only exemplified Rafael's dedication but also highlighted his commitment to staying at the forefront of his field.

Currently, Rafael holds the position of Director of IT and Services at The Riviera Ridge School in Santa Barbara. In this role, he serves the community by leveraging his expertise to enhance educational experiences and technological infrastructure for students and staff alike. Rafael has become an invaluable asset to the institution, leading by example and inspiring others to reach their full potential.

Throughout his remarkable journey, Rafael has never forgotten his roots, remaining humble and grounded. His life story stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, a testament to what can be achieved through determination and unwavering self-confidence.

Brittney is Senior Director of Information Technology focused on optimizing the user experience. She uses her  experience in PMP, ITIL, Agile, Market Research, Management, Continuous Improvement, and Business Process Management to reduce silos and increase productivity in technology organizations.  Brittney is an Adjunct Professor for the School of Management in Information Technology at California Lutheran University.

I'm the Chief Financial Officer, Artic cold of cold storage warehouse companies that focus on the storage, cooling, freezing of fruits, vegetables, and proteins.  I grew up in Oxnard and come from immigrant parents who both worked picking fruits and vegetables in the San Joaquin Valley and Oxnard plains.  Both my parents grew up in agriculture so being around farms and growing operations is something I have experienced my entire life.  I also am an Adjunct Professor in the SOM teaching International Finance at California Lutheran University.  I really enjoy teaching because it allows me to connect the real-world experiences I encounter in my professional career to the classroom.  I love the outdoors and all sports that keep me outdoors.

Karen D. King is a senior director of Regulatory Affairs Opus Regulatory. With  over 20 years’ experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Her expertise in developing novel medicines for life-interrupting illnesses led her to a career in consulting. She currently consults pharmaceutical companies in developing their regulatory strategy for drug approvals in oncology and rare diseases. She is dedicated to putting patients first and keeps that as part of her core values for saving lives. She started her career as a bench scientist in New York City, which ultimately led to working for various companies including Amgen, AbbVie, Baxalta, and Shire. Karen’s work at AbbVie led to the companies first Leukemia drug approval.

While working full-time at Amgen Karen obtained her MBA from the School of Management at California Lutheran University in one year. She is recognized as a strong leader and has been awarded the Top 100 Leaders Under 50 from Diversity MBA. Karen has recently obtained a master of science in Jurisprudence (MSJ) in Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Law and Compliance from Seton Hall University Law School.

Dr. John Garcia brings a unique blend of industry and academic experience to his role as assistant professor of finance and analytics at California Lutheran University. With over 21 years in the corporate world at Toyota and Ernst & Young, he knows how to apply financial modeling, statistical analysis, and AI to solve real-world business problems.

Now, as an assistant professor of finance and analytics, John is dedicated to sharing that hard-won knowledge with the next generation. Since joining CLU in 2021, he has enlightened graduate and undergraduate students by bringing industry perspectives into the classroom and applying his research on behavioral finance, machine learning, and FinTech to provide students with cutting-edge, real-world examples.

Growing up between California and Mexico as the son of immigrant parents, John was the first in his family to graduate high school and college. That drive to learn propelled him to earn four degrees: a BS from Cal Poly, an MBA from Notre Dame, an MS from Northwestern, and a doctorate in business administration from Creighton. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Analytics Professional.

When he's not imparting financial and analytics wisdom, you can find John outdoors jogging, hiking, and camping with his wife and three kids. After two decades of climbing the corporate ladder, he's learned to treasure those simple moments.

For Further Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngarcia4/ 

Cindy currently serves on the Work Development Task Force for the CA Department of Developmental Services (DDS), on the Advisory Council for The Tarjan Center at UCLA, and on the Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group of Ventura County.

She was recently selected as a grant recipient and invited to join a start-up accelerator supported by START.Coop and the AARP Foundation. She is actively advancing her social business that aims to employ people with disabilities and offer them ownership opportunities.

Prior to becoming a disability justice advocate, Cindy worked in brand management at Disney Consumer Products, ActiVision and Munchin Inc.  She earned a BA from UC Riverside, an MBA from Thunderbird, and continued her education through the Exec Ed program at Stanford Business School.

For Further Information: Cindy's LinkedIn

Jacob Lesner-Buxton is the Systems Change Coordinator at the Independent Living Resource Center. During his time at ILRC he has specialized in advocacy around accessible events, youth transition, and voter education.

He has over 20 years experience in volunteering/working with nonprofit and government settings focused on disability advocacy. He has also been a producer on KPFA’s Pushing Limits, one of the only radio shows about disability rights in the U.S.A Jacob has written for many online publications including The Mighty, and has been part of disability cultural exchanges to Russia and Japan. Jacob loves to do yoga and go dancing in his spare time.

For Further Information: Jacob's LinkedIn

Matt is a social entrepreneur with the mission to build a more whole and just way of living in this beautiful world. Matt enjoys helping businesses become strategic about their social impact and how to be fully alive in our workplace. With his coaching practices he leads individuals and teams through creative, meditative, and experiential practices to experience freedom, fulfillment, and abundance. Embracing change is how Matt helps individuals step into their destiny of wholeness in the work space and personal life. He wants each person to experience the power of being fully alive, fully present and fully appreciated for who they are.
His practices with restorative justice inform the way he approaches all of his work seeing the assets, strengths, and goodness in all situations and people. his skills in trauma healing, restorative practices, alternatives to violence, nonviolent communication, leadership development, and change management

Matt’s application of his master’s degree in community development have allowed him to be a sought after leader in his community in social causes like racial reconciliation, equitable housing solutions, homelessness, and immigration advocacy.
have given him the acclaimed Change Maker Matt title within his community.

Matt is an author and speaker, consultant and podcast host, and an all-around bridge builder.

For Further Information: Matthew's LinkedIn

Kyle McIntosh has over twenty-three years of experience working in Corporate Finance and Accounting across a broad range of industries.  Kyle joined California Lutheran University (“CLU”) following 11 years with Thousand Oaks-based biotech Amgen.  For his final three years at Amgen, Kyle served as the Head of Finance for Amgen’s Operations function.  In this global role, he was responsible for planning and controlling over $3 billion of annual operating expenses as well as approximately $700 million per year in capital expenditures.  Kyle also spent over three years working in Europe while with Amgen.  This time in Europe included serving two years as the Finance Director for Amgen’s UK/Ireland commercial operation.  He also led teams in Global Business Services and Accounting during his tenure with Amgen. 

In November 2020, Kyle completed a six-year term on the board of the Dayle McIntosh Center, a not-for-profit independent living center which supports people with disabilities.  He remains a member of the Center’s finance committee.  Kyle has been a board member the Newbury Park Track Club since 2020, and he has served as the Director of Volunteering during the 2021

For Further Information: Kyle's LinkedIn

Highly innovative, procurement professional with a strong knowledge of strategic outsourcing, contract management, pharmacokinetics, clinical study design, pharmacodynamics and biopharmaceutics. Outstanding ability to make critical decisions regarding clinical studies and raw materials due to manufacturing/formulation issues at a moment’s notice. Proven scheduling, organizational guidance, and negotiation skills, demonstrated through the purchasing of $110+million annually and savings in excess of $2M per year.

In addition, responsible for data strategy for epidemiological work completed with observational research at Amgen.

For Further Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-oroz-a918671b/

 Holly was named Director of Athletics for California Lutheran University in January of 2022. She was previously Senior Associate Director. Roepke attended Cal Lutheran from 1995-99, playing on the women’s soccer and basketball teams, and then again from 2011-14.

As director, Roepke supports the development of more than 500 student-athletes and oversees the university's 22 varsity and six junior varsity teams, more than 75 coaches and additional staff. She also oversee future facility upgrades, help with fundraising initiatives, and continue to serve on the university's Core Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team that launched in August of 2021.

For Further Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyroepke/ 

For Further Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvin-boateng-cva-edfp-766b132b/ 

Michele A. Wilson is a Special Needs Mompreneur, also known as an
Enlightened Leader. She is a 2X Best Selling Author and Speaker. She is
the Founder and CEO of Mompreneur Universe a Division of Velocity
Group Global Inc. Michele has also been an International Mentor for
Avanti America International Business Academy since 2014 and loves
giving back to the community.

Michele is honored and thrilled about launching a new show called The Special Needs Mompreneur Show that airs on Get LiT Channel Roku TV. Michele loves coaching and training special needs moms who want to discover how they can start and grow a business they love while being in harmony with raising a family and making a bigger impact. She empowers and equips mompreneurs with innovative solutions, to live an expression of their highest potential so that they can tap into their God-given genius and achieve their dreams.

For Further Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleawilson/ 

John joined the School of Management this fall as an Assistant Professor in the area of Finance. He joins us after 1.5 years of teaching at the University of North Texas and - before that - 21 years in industry, first with Ernst & Young and then with Toyota, where he held multiple finance and analytics executive-level roles. 

John was born in LA to immigrant parents but lived both in California and Mexico through grade school. He is a first-generation high school and college grad and has been addicted to education from a young age. John is a Certified Analytics Professional and a Certified Public Accountant. He also holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Cal Poly, SLO, a master’s in accounting from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s in predictive analytics from Northwestern University, and a doctorate in business administration from Creighton University.  John lives in Moorpark with his wife Maria and three kids (14, 9, and 7). He enjoys jogging, hiking, camping, and spending time with his family in the great outdoors.

For Further Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngarcia4/ 

Major: Global Business

Involved in CLU FILO

Major: Business Administration - Entrepreneurship & Innovation Emphasis

Major: Business Administration - Management Emphasis

Minor: Spanish

Junior ASCLU Senator

In her role, Amie strives to foster an environment where all employees feel motivated to work together to realize the organization’s overall mission and build a company culture that rewards values through actions and results. Amie is a strategic and agile HR executive with 25 years of experience bringing expertise in talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation, benefits, leadership development, coaching and operations. Prior to her tenure with Atara, Amie held several HR leadership positions at Amgen, including her role as Global HR Lead, Organizational Effectiveness during which she served as a human resources leader for Amgen’s global commercial operations covering the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Additionally, she served the Commercial HR lead standing up Amgen’s cardiovascular franchise launching two products. Amie is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and was a founding leader of the Atara Women’s Alliance (AWA). She has been a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community at Atara and is an active member of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA). Amie holds both a B.S. in business management and an MBA from California Lutheran University. She has also completed the UC Berkeley Extension program for Human Resources Officers.

Major: Finance

Susan Bash Van Vleet, Founder and CEO of Susan Van Vleet Consultants Inc.® has created and executed training programs with Fortune 500 companies worldwide in 19 countries spanning 4 continents.

For over 40 years Companies like Pepsi, McDonalds Corporation, P&G, J&J, SC Johnson, Coke, IBM and HP have hired her company to deal with key HR issues including; Change Management, Team Building , Diversity, Leadership Development, Communications, Customer Service and Coaching. 

In 2000 Susan Founded her second company; V Squared Consulting Inc. V Squared has recruited and trained Distributors who are also licensed to market, sell and lead SVVCI® training programs worldwide.

 Susan has authored numerous articles for blogs and newsletters on diversity and change management. She has also authored two books under the Women Moving Forward® Title and is currently writing a third on Managing Corporate Change®

Prior to founding her companies Susan worked as the Director of Parent Education for the Division or Youth and Family Services of the State of New Jersey where the programs she developed to train Social Workers, Foster Parents and Adoptive Parents are still being used and were published by the Child Welfare League of America.

She served as the Director of Government Relations for Effectiveness Training, Inc. an International Educational Corporation and was an adjunct professor at University of Phoenix. She developed Grant Writing Curriculum for the University of Redlands.

She holds a BA in Sociology with minors in Psychology and Anthropology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MSW in Social Work Administration from Rutgers University.

Susan is married to John Van Vleet who is a VP at SVVCI®. They have 2 grown sons who work in the entertainment industry.

For Further Information: www.svanvleetconsult.com  or www.womenmovingforward.com

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. I grew up around warm, gentle and charismatic people. The values I learned in my home country are a big part of who I am today.

I was an only child of a single mom on a fixed income. Though we had very little money, she instilled a self-confidence in me that I still own today. For as long as I can remember I have possessed aptitude and talent for technology. In 2008, I earned a degree in Telecommunications Engineering at The University of Fermin Toro in Venezuela.

Since the early 2000’s, my home country has been in a state of constant decline due to political corruption and economic instability. I was attracted to America for its diverse culture – and for a commitment: The pursuit of happiness! The political situation in my country was difficult; it pushed me out – along with a lot of other people; lots of young professionals. I went to New York (and I loved it!) in 2012 and studied English for a while. It was in NY where I met future husband Greg (we married in 2013), attracted by the importance he placed on family. It was in August of 2019, when I realized my dream to become an American citizen. Along with 5,000 others at the Downtown Convention Center, I was “officially” welcomed to the United States of America. Remembering my oath, I have to freely admit that it makes me emotional and also grateful to be here. There’s a sense of isolation that comes with being an immigrant yet, I’ve never felt so empowered. When you are the only Latin person in a group, or a minority in any way, you represent an entire community – like it or not! How powerful is that?! It’s an awesome responsibility.

Growing up in Venezuela with aspirations to pursue my talents professionally, attaining any education at all was an accomplishment. My desire to keep pushing myself has led me to where I am now, but I have never forgotten where I came from. Two years ago I had the opportunity to spearhead a project, along with the IT Director at Village School (The place I have chosen to work for the last 5 years), that connected my workplace with my home country. I collected and prepared 55 used iPads that would have otherwise been recycled. I partnered with a non-profit organization that distributed the iPads to kids with compromised health conditions in different hospitals in Caracas, the Capitol of Venezuela. This project not only highlighted my desire to help others where I’m from, but it also spoke directly to my passion and expertise.

I lost my mother early this year due to Covid-19 and this has had a huge impact on my life. She always encouraged me to keep pursuing my dreams. Personally, I want to build on what I have learned and achieved to date, and keep learning so that I can become the best I can be in all areas of my life.

I currently am a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a produce company that focuses on Mangos and Avocados along with growing and packing other fruits.  I grew up in Oxnard and come from an immigrant mother and father who comes from immigrant parents.  Both my parents grew up in agriculture so being around farms and mangos is something I have experienced my entire life.  I also am an Adjunct Professor in the SOM teaching International Finance.  I really enjoy teaching because it allows me to connect the real world to the classroom in which when I was a student really appreciated when my professors would do the same.  I love the outdoors and off roading.

Don Padilla CFP®is CEO of MVP Sports & Entertainment Management, a Talent Manager, Certified Financial Planner™, public speaker, and published author of "Not Another Broke Athlete." Padilla was a former National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Registered Player Financial Advisor.  Don has taught and lectured retirement and life planning courses at various universities and colleges.  He has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years and managed over a quarter of a billion dollars before he sold his practice in 2018.  He has two children, Naiya (11) and Elijah (9), and enjoys being involved with his kids' sports and events and  coaching high school and club volleyball.

Diana is a Program Manager at Google under the data infrastructure organization responsible for resources allocations and coordination of supply and demand around many of Google's most visible products such as Google Search, Google Photos, and more. Prior to Google, she was a Project Manager at ICANN where she managed concept-to-launch of a $3M+ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. 

Diana is very passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion professionally and personally. She is currently a leader for two of Google's Employee Resource Groups (ERG) specifically for Hispanic/Latinx-identified employees as well as Women employees within her organization where these groups aim for inclusion and advancement within Google. Personally, Diana is a Governing Board of Director for Latinas in Tech, an Ambassador for Women in Games, and a volunteer for Latinx in Gaming. Within these organizations, she aims to promote women of color and/or Hispanic/Latinx individuals within the tech or gaming industry. She aims to create an inclusive and safer community within these industries.

John joined the School of Management this fall as an Assistant Professor in the area of Finance. He joins us after 1.5 years of teaching at the University of North Texas and - before that - 21 years in industry, first with Ernst & Young and then with Toyota, where he held multiple finance and analytics executive-level roles. 

John was born in LA to immigrant parents but lived both in California and Mexico through grade school. He is a first-generation high school and college grad and has been addicted to education from a young age. John is a Certified Analytics Professional and a Certified Public Accountant. He also holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Cal Poly, SLO, a master’s in accounting from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s in predictive analytics from Northwestern University, and a doctorate in business administration from Creighton University.  John lives in Moorpark with his wife Maria and three kids (14, 9, and 7). He enjoys jogging, hiking, camping, and spending time with his family in the great outdoors.

I am a highly motivated and influential leader in leading global financial enterprises, applying more than 21 years of experience to exceptional leadership, business development, relationship management, fiscal oversight, and profit management. I have worked in several leadership positions in large and midsize banks. I support local businesses in the community with business banking and portfolio management solutions to help meet their personal and business financial needs. I am currently a Vice President and Regional Market Manager with Community West Bank in Ventura California.

I have a double MBA in Management and Organizational Behavior and International Business from California Lutheran University. I am a certificate treasury professional and a licensed California Real Estate Broker. Other certificates but not limited to these are: Leadership certificate from Cornell University, CTP from Rice University and Masters in Lean Six Sigma from Villanova University.

Connect with Victor on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-fakrogha-mba-ctp-a281b815/

Connect with Thembi on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thembi-moyo-cpa-0a02656/

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Jeannette Pugh is an accomplished Human Resources professional with extensive experience including unique HR generalist, specialist and line management roles across diverse functions and a successful history of developing practical, sustainable solutions for organizations. Having worked for organizations such as Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen, Technicolor, and Pharmavite / Nature Made, Jeannette has a proven track record in empowering employee networks, leading transformational retention initiatives, and serving as a strategic business partner within peak performance organizations. Jeannette holds a bachelor degree in Engineering from Princeton University, a master degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University.

Jeannette Pugh is an accomplished Human Resources professional with extensive experience including unique HR generalist, specialist and line management roles across diverse functions and a successful history of developing practical, sustainable solutions for organizations. Having worked for organizations such as Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen, Technicolor, and Pharmavite / Nature Made, Jeannette has a proven track record in empowering employee networks, leading transformational retention initiatives, and serving as a strategic business partner within peak performance organizations. Jeannette holds a bachelor degree in Engineering from Princeton University, a master degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University.

Armilayda (Armi) Agor is currently the West Regional Customer Marketing Manager for Bayer Crop Science, Vegetable Seed Division for North America. She first joined the company in 2016, starting in the Customer Service Department managing seed dealership accounts for the West region. She has focused on providing exceptional service to improve the customer experience by driving innovative solutions and continues to develop relationships with key customers in her marketing role. Armi grew up in Oxnard, CA and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She will be graduating this year with her Executive MBA from Cal Lutheran.

JaQuay Bangs is Director of Operations for Music at the Venice location of San Francisco-based technology company TuneIn. He is a dedicated and results-oriented leader with a unique and diverse background that includes media, finance, and communications. He has extensive experience driving marketing initiatives, strategic partnerships, and promotional campaigns that improve brand awareness while increasing revenue. Prior to joining TuneIn in 2017, he was Program Director for KFYV/ Afternoon Show at Point Broadcasting, Assistant Program Director at Radio One, and Music Director at Gold Coast Broadcasting. JaQuay has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Media Studies from Wayne State University and an Executive MBA from California Lutheran University.

Corey Lee is a 2018 Cal Lutheran graduate. He currently resides in Memphis, TN where he works as a Financial Analyst for Bryce Corporation. During his time at Cal Lutheran, Corey was extremely active in the campus community. He was a member of both the Cal Lutheran football and track teams, a founding member of Delta Sigma Pi, and a Community Leaders Association (CLA) Board Member. Academically, he excelled as well, by earning cum laude distinction upon graduation. As a returning Memphian, Corey’s passion for community involvement continues to burn. He is a volunteer mentor in the Memphis Grizzlies’ Youth Outreach program and a member of the Memphis Economic Club. With this level of participation, Corey hopes to empower and bestow knowledge among the youth in the Memphis community. 

Arlene Martinez (Cal Lutheran '22) is the communications director of Good Jobs First, a national policy resource center that promotes corporate and government accountability in economic development. Prior to that, Arlene helped launch and wrote a California newsletter for the USA TODAY Network, offering insight and analysis into the day's news. An award-winning journalist who worked in California, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., Arlene consistently advocated for newsrooms that were more reflective of the communities where they were located and better coverage of historically disenfranchised populations. She is pursuing her executive MBA at California Lutheran University.