Describe any previous branch positions and years you served.
Tustin/Tustin-Santa Ana-Orange Branch Co-chair for Programs: 2014-2017; President-Elect 2023-2024; President 2024 to present.
Describe any AAUW California positions and years you served.
GovTrek Committee 2023-24; State Director 2024-2025.
Talk about any AAUW National or California events you attended or participation in peer groups or webinars in the last five years.
Gov Trek, Branch Development
Talk. about any pertinent community activities or connections and their corresponding dates.
City Councilmember: 2010-2018, 2020-2024; Trustee, Orange County Board of Education: 2016-2022; Board member, Planned Parenthood – Orange & San Bernardino County, 2023-present; Advisory Board Member, Defenders Hub for Public Education, 2023- present; Board Member, Leo Buscaglia Foundation, 2024-Present; Board Member, Tustin Community Foundation, 2025-present; President, Greater Orange County Health Information Association: 1997-98, 2011-12; Chair, Orange County Library Advisory Board; President, Tustin Public Schools Foundation: 1996-98, more can be listed if necessary.
Describe your employment/professional experience, including current employment.
I have held various healthcare management and consulting positions in hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and a national home health agency. During my private sector career, my areas of responsibility included Health Information, Medical Staff, Risk Management, and Quality Management departments. I assisted numerous organizations in the implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). After teaching part-time, I transitioned to a full-time faculty member and became a tenured member of the Health Science Division at Cypress College. Along with my teaching responsibilities, I served as the Program Director for the Health Information Technology Program and the College Staff Development Coordinator. Later, I served as the Dean of the Health Science Division, overseeing eight health science programs, including Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Sonography, Radiologic Technology, Mortuary Science, Psychiatric Technology, Nursing, and Health Information. I retired as the Dean in 2022.
Describe any other special skills or experience.
I have extensive Board and leadership experience in government, school, professional, and community organizations, in addition to three terms on the Tustin City Council and was elected twice to the Orange County Board of Education. I have strong Computer, organizational, and public speaking skills.
Explain how you will incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion in your plans.
As a person of color, I have seen the success in many organizations when there is a diversity of opinions, viewpoints, and life experience. As a Dean, I recruited the most diverse faculty on the campus. My recruitment strategies were later adopted as the model for the District. DEI does not exclusively mean ethnicity and race, but also age, disability, and socioeconomic status. To recruit new AAUW members and leaders, our prospective and current members need to see leaders that look like them to gain a sense of belonging and commitment to build our organization.
Give your reasons for running for this office.
I strongly believe that AAUW has the potential to develop more women leaders. In my professional and political career, I have observed numerous leaders who lack the organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills to develop and achieve strategic goals to meet the organization’s goals. I believe that I can help AAUW-CA develop the next generation of women leaders through its various programs.