Staff and Leadership Directory
Tim Akin
Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
Master of Journalism, University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Social Sciences, University of California, Berkeley
With more than 30 years experience as a strategic marketing and communications adviser, Akin manages the integrated marketing communications strategy, brand building, digital content and advertising campaigns and collateral that enrich the identity of the School, give recognition for its accomplishments and raise its visibility.
Parto Aram
Assistant Director, MBA Career Advising
MBA, Boston University
B.S., Northeastern University
Parto Aram joined the Career Development team in October 2018 as a career counselor. She works closely with Bay Area Part-Time MBA students.
After seven years of working in high tech as a hardware engineer designing embedded systems, Aram went back to school part-time to get her MBA, and subsequently transitioned to semiconductor marketing. She worked as a marketing manager on the East Coast and then as a European marketing manager stationed in Bristol, England.
Marie Augusto
Academic Operations & Planning Analyst
Marie Augusto responsibilities include academic personnel (recruitments and appointments), course catalog maintenance and she will provide administrative support to Dean and Assistant Deans.
Carlos Azevedo
Facilities Manager
Carlos Azevedo is a seasoned facilities design planner and manager with an impressive track record spanning over two decades in the construction industry. With a diverse portfolio of accomplishments, Azevedo has consistently demonstrated expertise in orchestrating and overseeing a wide array of interior projects, ranging from seamless office relocations and unit consolidations to intricate interior renovations.
Gerard Bañales
Associate Director of Admissions, Full-Time MBA and MM
Gerard P. Bañales (he/him/his) serves as an associate director of admissions for the Full-Time MBA and Master of Management programs at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. He joined the Graduate School of Management in December 2024, bringing more than a decade of experience in higher education, focusing on admissions, recruitment, and enrollment management.
Gallagher Hall Room 1101 Davis, CA
Rachel Bandelaria
Program Manager, Master of Science in Business Analytics
Rachel Bandelaria is the Program Manager for the Graduate School of Management's MSBA program, based in San Francisco. Bandelaria provides leadership and strategy for MSBA student-related programs, events, and activities to cultivate a positive student experience that also equips them for a successful transition to the professional world. She is a San Francisco native and received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, Riverside where she also became a student mentor to fellow underclassmen.
Marta Barajas
Deputy Director of Admissions Operations
Manages and oversees all aspects of admissions operations including operational process issues, data resource management and admissions data collection for the Graduate School of Management. In this role, she is also responsible for compiling and reporting school-wide ranking and profile statistics for the school.
Marta joined the Graduate School of Management in September of 2004, bringing her technological expertise and more than 15 years of experience in data analysis & reporting, strategic operations planning & implementation, and training.
Carrie Beam
Academic Director, MSBA Program
Ph.D. in Operations Research, University of California at Berkeley
Carrie Beam brings 20 years of experience in analytics consulting, research and classroom teaching to the program. Her expertise includes data management and visualization, predictive and prescriptive analytics models, and communication of complex analytics materials to general business stakeholders.
Haley Belenis
Digital Platform Specialist
As a digital platform specialist, Haley Belenis is dedicated to both the creative and technical aspects of digital strategy and is motivated by finding innovative solutions that improve both the look and functionality of digital platforms.
Karen Bolaños
Career Development Operations Manager
Karen Bolaños is a proud aggie alum who serves as the Career Development Operations Manager at the Graduate School of Management. Bolaños helps support the career center by overseeing the strategic development and implementation of multiple databases to address evolving data needs. In her role, she provides essential analytical support and conducts statistical research for Career Development and Student Affairs.
Gallagher Hall Rm 1101 Davis, CA 95616
Julie Burgal
Director of Undergraduate Advising and Policy
M.S. in Genetics and Cell Biology, Washington State University
B.S. in Biotechnology, UC Davis
Loreli Burton
Admissions Coordinator
Loreli Burton joined the Graduate School of Management in 2016. As the Admissions Coordinator, she provides analyst-level support for the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. She maintains and audits admissions databases, identifies and implements process improvements, and assists with student admissions for the MSBA program.
Loreli’s career in data management began in 2010, but she also has a background in Human Resources. Outside the office, she enjoys time spent in nature, reading, traveling, and time spent with family.
C. Gabriel Coleman
Deputy Director, Academic Operations and Planning
B.A., University of Redlands Academic personnel and policy
On-Site: Room 3108G, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday-Friday
Barry Curtis
Director of Corporate Relations and IMPACT Projects
Barry Curtis joined the UC Davis Graduate School of Management in July 2023 with a diverse career in industry, management consulting, and academia. He previously worked in the Offices of Research at both the University of Florida and UC Davis - marketing each university's technologies and expertise. Curtis' background includes operational and strategic planning, industry/competitive analysis, project management, recruiting/performance evaluation, and business development.
Gallagher Hall 1101H
Amy Davis
Social Media Specialist
B.A., Communications, University of California, Davis
Amy Davis joins the Graduate School of Management as a proud alumna of UC Davis. She brings 10+ years of experience in communications, PR and social media strategy from locally-based organizations, including regional grocer Raley’s Family of Fine Stores and Northern California-based Sutter Health, where she shaped and launched company-wide social media programs, supported media relations plans and developed internal communications efforts.
Vashishtha (Vash) Doshi
Associate Director for Career Development and Admissions, Master of Science in Business Analytics
Vashishtha (Vash) Doshi is the associate director for career development and admissions for the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics program in San Francisco. Doshi joined UC Davis in 2024 from UCLA Anderson’s MSBA program, where he served as manager of industry relations. During his tenure at UCLA, he delivered innovative programming and value to both students and the institution.
Eric Duarte-McDermott
Executive Director, Master of Science in Business Analytics
Eric Duarte-McDermott joined the UC Davis Graduate School of Management in February 2023. Based in San Francisco, he oversees MSBA’s year-long competitive program that develops high-performance professionals who can create business value from data and models.
Zoë Dybdahl
Associate Director, Master of Professional Accountancy
Zoë Dybdahl joined the Graduate School of Management (GSM) as the associate director of the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) program in 2022.
1101L Gallagher Hall
Steven Escobar
Assistant Director, Administration and Facilities
Responsible for workflow management for the business office. Provides facility management for Gallagher Hall.
Sergio Esquerre
Instructional Operations Manager, Bay Area MBA Campus
Sergio Esquerre joined the School as a student assistant in July 2012. He was promoted to instructional operations specialist in November 2017. With seven years of experience assisting the Project and Instructional Resources team, Esquerre was named as the instructional operations manager for the Bay Area MBA campus in July 2019.
Paxtenne Falls
Administrative Assistant
Efficiently assist students, staff, and faculty with a wide range of administrative tasks including travel and entertainment, facilitating purchasing requests, and coordinating contracting services. With a focus on streamlining processes and providing exceptional customer service. Serve as a backup to the facilities manager.
Andy Fleisher
Senior Analyst, Project & Instructional Resources
B.S., Biochemistry, University of California, Davis
Andrew Fleisher graduated from UC Davis in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Before arriving at the Graduate School of Management, he worked for six years in the Entomology Department at UC Davis as a technician where he coordinated on research involving the feeding habits of mosquitoes and co-authored three journal articles. After time in the lab, Fleisher worked in the Temporary Employment Pool and found his way to the Graduate School of Management where he has been for the last 8 years.
Espy Foft
Content Marketing Specialist
Maria Esperanza Foft, better known as “Espy,” is a communications and marketing professional with 15 years of experience. Foft previously collaborated and led corporate marketing strategies, customer experience and promotional/visibility campaigns on teams in the retail industry (Arden Fair), broadcast radio (Clear Channel) and PCF Restaurant Management.
2216 Gallagher Hall
Leticia V. Garay
Associate Director of Admissions, Sacramento Part-Time MBA & Sacramento Part-Time Master of Management
Leticia V. Garay (she/her/ella) joined the UC Davis Graduate School of Management as associate director of admissions for the Sacramento Part-Time MBA program in 2024. She works alongside candidates through the admissions process, implementing recruiting programs, processing applications and ensuring prospective students have a quality experience.
Gallagher Hall, Davis, CA
Michele Goodman
Director of Administration and Human Resources
Michele Goodman manages fiscal affairs and provides administrative and operational direction of business services/resources for the school. Goodman serves as the human resources expert for the school. She is instrumental in organizing, planning and meeting key objectives to enhance employee on-boarding and business operations among students, faculty, staff and University affiliates.
Porsché Green
Event Specialist
Porsché Green joined GSM in 2023 as part of the event team. She supports the planning and implementation of programs, conferences and other school-wide events benefiting the Graduate School of Management and its community. When she is not providing event support at GSM, she will support the UC Davis Library Communications and Marketing team in event planning.
Gallagher Hall Room 2206
Candace C. Harrington
Development Operations Manager, Development and External Relations
Candace Harrington manages and leads initiatives in business data management, marketing data analysis and all development-related business processes and actions. Her contributions are pivotal in managing budgets, optimizing donor stewardship and overseeing financial accountability.
Kari Heidrick
Assistant Director, Master of Professional Accountancy
Kari Heidrick has been with UC Davis for over two decades, including 14 years as a program representative at UC Davis Professional and Continuing Education, Business and Leadership Department, and seven years as the business development manager with Conference and Event Services. Most recently, Heidrick joined the Graduate School of Management (GSM) as the Assistant Director of the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc).
Gabriel Horner
Admissions Coordinator
Gabriel Horner (he/him/his) joined the Graduate School of Management in 2023. As an admissions coordinator, he provides analyst-level support for the Full-Time MBA, Sacramento Part-Time MBA, Bay Area Part-Time MBA, Master's of Management (MM), and Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) programs. He maintains and audits admissions databases; provides customer service and support to applicants; compiles reports on admissions data; and helps improve admissions processes on an ongoing basis.
Gallagher Hall
Carin Hotaling
Academic Operations & Planning Analyst
Carin Hotaling manages the recruitment and hiring of all academic student employment opportunities at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. She also oversees course scheduling for the undergraduate major, supports course planning, and assists with special projects in the Dean’s Suite. Before joining the Academic Operations and Planning team, Hotaling served as the operations manager for Career Development for six years.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, wakeboarding, snow skiing and visiting the beach.
Gallagher Hall
Tiffany Hsieh
Instructional Operations Assistant
Tiffany Hsieh is the instructional operations assistant for Project & Instructional Resources at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. In this role, she provides essential support to faculty, students and staff, ensuring seamless front desk operations and managing program logistics for the Sacramento MBA program and special events.
Dominique Jackson
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
MSc Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Leeds 2024
BSc Biochemistry, Genetics, University of Adelaide 2014
Michelle Jacobs
HR Generalist
Michelle Jacobs serves as the HR Generalist for GSM. Responsible for the full scope of HR programs: recruitment, staff orientation/on-boarding and off-boarding, performance management, employee and labor relations, leave management, training and development, merits, appraisals, and personnel/payroll actions.
Charla Kordana
Events Manager
Charla Kordana leads the GSM Events Team to develop, coordinate and execute programs and events across all Graduate School of Management units. Charla’s work experience has included planning and executing events for the Davis Chamber of Commerce, leading the membership and marketing team for Alaska’s Rural Electric and Cooperative Association, program support for the American Diabetes Association Western Region, membership recruitment and retention for the Organization of the Protection and Advancement of Small Telephone Companies, and an account representative at Henry J.
Selina Laqui
Career Development Program Manager/IMP Analyst
As the Career Development Program Manager/IMP Analyst for the Graduate School of Management, Laqui helps support the career center by coordinating and providing high-level support for students and recruiter programs. She serves as the front-line contact for current students, employers and alumni. Laqui manages logistics for career fairs, workshops, guest speakers and interviews. With her background in social work, she has an immense passion for preserving the well-being of others and creating nurturing environments for individuals to thrive.
Gallagher Hall Rm 1101 Davis, CA 95616
John Lyon
Deputy Director of Admissions, Master of Science in Business Analytics
MBA, University of California, Davis
John Lyon is based in San Francisco as Deputy Director of Admissions for the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics. John works with candidates throughout the admissions process, including prospective students, MSBA applicants, and admitted students ensuring their successful enrollment and a smooth transition. Prior to this role, Lyon was the Associate Director of Admissions. He also worked with the Bay Area Part-Time MBA program while simultaneously earning his MBA at UC Davis.
Camille Mack
Admissions and Operations Specialist, MSBA
B.S. Community and Regional Development, UC Davis
Camille Mack joined the School in May 2019. Based in San Francisco, she assists in managing the program operations to help support the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, special events and admissions outreach efforts. Mack also provides support to faculty, students, and staff by managing process, projects and systems that support the instructional and admission engagements of the School.
Inger Maher
Senior Director of Student and Academic Services
Inger Maher oversees the student experience at the Graduate School of Management, from orientation to commencement. She plays a lead role in delivering varied programming to students, including international exchange programs and the GSM’s new Principled Leadership Program. Maher manages policies and procedures affecting student enrollment and academic advising and oversees the process for student scholarship awards.
Christopher Marshall
Director, Alumni Relations & Network Strategy
Christopher Marshall joined the UC Davis Graduate School of Management as the director of alumni relations & network strategy in 2022. He is responsible for fostering alumni engagement, managing and mobilizing the GSMAA Board, and building relationships with external constituencies to grow and strengthen the school’s network.
Dawn May
Assistant, Development and External Relations
Supports all members of the External Relations and Development unit. Responsibilities include preparing informational packets, data entry, coordinating large mailings, correspondence and assisting with events.
Tim McConville
Visual Media Specialist
Tim McConville is a dedicated Visual Communications Specialist with the Graduate School of Management, and brings 10+ years of expertise in visual storytelling to create captivating and impactful content. With a passion for photography and video production, McConville utilizes his keen eye for detail and technical proficiency to deliver exceptional visual assets. His love of visual storytelling began from a young age when a typical weekend activity involved making creative short films with his classmates.
Angel McCormack
Lead Career Counselor
M.S., Career Counseling, California State University, Sacramento
B.A., Psychology, California State University, Sacramento
Angel McCormack joined the Graduate School of Management in 2006 and has provided professional career counseling to over 2,000 graduate business students. The cornerstone to her success has been the remote style of counseling she pioneered in 2006 to meet the busy schedules of MBA students, which was well ahead of its time and now a staple in the industry.
Brian McQuaig
Programmer
Responsibilities include system analysis and design, database management, Web site development, desktop publishing and faculty projects of relevant new technologies.
Jerry Montoya
Programmer
Jerry Montoya's responsibilities include system analysis and design, database management, website development, desktop publishing and faculty projects of relevant new technologies.
Pauline Moreno
GSM Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Pauline Moreno joined the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at UC Davis in 2016. As the assistant director of financial aid for the Graduate School of Management, she manages the financial aid packaging for students in all the School’s programs, advises students on funding options and upholds institution and federal standards to ensure the best service for our students. Moreno’s career in financial aid began in 2006, she received an introduction to financial aid as the financial aid office work-study student at her community college.
Gallagher Hall
Gloria Navarro
Assistant Director of MBA and MM Admissions
B.S. Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Science & Engineering, University of California, Davis
Gloria Navarro joined UC Davis Graduate School of Management as Enrollment Counselor in 2022 and now serves as the admissions director for our MBA and MM programs.
Navarro earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis in 2021 with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Science & Engineering.
Lisa Nguyen
Director of Marketing and Communications
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications, West Virginia University
B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Pittsburgh
Lisa Nguyen is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, where she leads the School’s integrated marketing strategies to drive enrollment, elevate the brand, and expand its influence.
Justine Okello
Program Manager, Bay Area Part-Time MBA & Bay Area Part-Time MM
MBA, University of California Davis.
Rhea Panchal
Program Manager, Sacramento Part-Time MBA & Sacramento Part-Time MM
Rhea Panchal is the program manager for the Sacramento Part-Time MBA and Sacramento Part-Time MM program at UC Davis, where she provides leadership and support for both programs. She holds a degree in cognitive science from UC Davis. Before joining the Graduate School of Management, Panchal worked as the student outreach ambassador coordinator for the UC Davis Transfer Opportunity Program, helping California community college students connect with university resources.
Gallagher Hall Suite 1101
Christina Park
Executive Assistant to the Dean
Christina Park holds the position of Executive Assistant to the Dean. She is responsible for providing executive support as well as for project and event coordination.
Gallagher Hall, Room 3108-A
Mandeep Raj
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Mandeep Raj (she/her/hers) brings more than 18 years of experience in education advising and student services administration. She has served as an academic advisor, working with diverse student populations and faculty at K–12 schools, the Stanford University School of Medicine, Cal State East Bay and UC Davis.
Mandeep holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from UC Davis and a Master of Arts in education counseling, with an emphasis in higher education, from San Jose State University. She also completed a short-term graduate study abroad program in Costa Rica.
Brian Risi
Associate Director of Admissions, Bay Area Part-Time MBA & Bay Area Part-Time Master of Management
Brian Risi joined UC Davis Graduate School of Management as associate director of admissions for the Bay Area Part-Time MBA and in February 2021.
After first attending The University of Delaware, Risi transferred to The University of Montana in Missoula, MT and earned his Bachelor’s Degree. After graduating from Montana, Risi moved to the Bay Area and hasn’t looked back.
Jacqueline Romo
Assistant Director of Student and Academic Services
Program Manager, Full-Time MBA & Full-Time MM
M.A., Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara
Jacqueline Romo is responsible for driving workflow improvements to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness. She collaborates with the associate director, academic and student services to develop the School’s enrollment and information systems. Romo is responsible for working directly with the Full-Time MBA and Full-Time MM students, providing guidance for student programs, events and activities, as well as supporting MBA recruiting and admissions activities.
Francesca Ross
Event Specialist
Francesca Ross is responsible for the planning & implementation of executive education programs, academic conferences and events school-wide. Before joining GSM she previously supported UC Davis College of Engineering. Ross earned her B.A. in Psychology from UC Davis.
Gallagher Hall
Lisa Sanchas
GSM Registrar
B.A., Political Science, UC Davis
As the GSM Registrar, Lisa Sanchas is responsible for registration, course scheduling, enrollment management, academic progress, degree certification, record-keeping and student advising across all GSM programs. Sanchas also manages the GSM's in-house student registration system for each program, creates the school's academic calendar, and works with various campus units to resolve issues regarding fee assessments, student accounts, and financial aid.
Christina Sanchez
Senior Director, Project & Instructional Resources
M.A., California State University, Sacramento
B.A., University of California, Davis
Dedan Sims
Assistant Director, Project & Instructional Resources
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Trident University
Master of Science in Heath Care Administration (MSHA), Trident University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Trident University
Sophy Son
Associate Director of Admissions
M.A. Industrial Organizational Psychology, Golden Gate University
B.A. Economics, San Jose State University
Sophy Son currently supports the MBA and Master of Management (MM) admissions team in recruiting outstanding students as an associate director of admissions. She previously served as the associate director of admissions for our Bay Area Part-Time MBA program.
Alicia Sullivan
Director of eos
Master's of Business Administration, University of California, Davis
Bachelor's of Science, Biotechnology, University of California, Davis
3409 Gallagher Hall 540 Alumni Lane Davis, CA 95616
Alex Svensson
Director of MBA/MM Recruitment and Admissions
Alex Svensson (she/her/hers) joined UC Davis Graduate School of Management in 2020. As the Director of MBA/MM Recruitment and Admissions, she works alongside candidates through the admissions process, implementing recruiting programs, processing applications and ensuring that prospective students have a quality experience.
Nikko Tanaka-Pendleton
Associate Director, Career Development
Nikko Tanaka-Pendleton joined the Career Development Team in 2025. She comes from a career in executive recruiting, where she worked with companies to place top talent in manager to C-suite level roles. Her background in recruiting gives her insight into hiring managers' perspectives, what companies seek in candidates, job market trends, and the ins and outs of resumes, interviews, networking and business etiquette.
Angela Tom
Associate Director of Career Development
Angela Tom joined the Graduate School of Management (GSM) in 2023, as Associate Director of Career Development, after a diverse career across various organizations. Before joining the GSM, Angela worked as a career coach at the University of San Diego Knauss School of Business, a Center Manager for the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) in Okinawa, Japan, a Development Analyst at UC Davis DEVAR, and a Project Manager at the California Department of Education. She holds an MBA from Drexel University LeBow College of Business and a B.S.
Jennifer Tucker
Assistant Director, MBA Career Advising
M.S., Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
A.B., International Relations, University of California, Davis, CA
1101E Gallagher Hall & 2203 UC Davis Health Education Building, Sacramento
Damon Tull
Director for Industry Alliances
Damon Tull is the director for industry alliances at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and the Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. His research interests include U.S. global competitiveness and the financial and human capital flows of our national innovation ecosystems.
H. Rao Unnava
Michael and Joelle Hurlston Dean and Professor of Marketing
Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Research Expertise
Advertising, brand management, promotions, international marketing and consumer behavior
Diana Vail
Program Manager, Online MBA and Online Master of Management
Diana Vail is the online MBA program manager, responsible for providing a positive student experience through the planning and execution of online MBA student programming. She serves as lead contact for online MBA student body, exercising oversight of student events, residential experiences, and online MBA student organizations. She is responsible for supporting the operations of successful program delivery with the overall functional focus on student experience.
Samuel Wolfe
Systems Administrator
Samuel Wolfe joined the GSM's IT Support Group in 2022. He works in unison with the other IT Helpdesk technicians and programmers to keep things running smoothly for faculty, staff and students.
Wolfe holds a B.S. in Computer Science and has worked as an IT professional for ten years. In 2024 he earned his M.S. in Business Analytics with a focus on Machine Learning.
A native Californian, Wolfe enjoys miniature gaming, painting and living happily with his wife, who is also affiliated with UC Davis.
Stephanie Young-Birkle
Interim Senior Assistant Dean of Student Services
B.A., political science, history, and philosophy, The College of Idaho
M.A., political science, UC Davis
Cindy Zivic
Associate Director of Admissions, Online MBA and Online Master of Management
Cindy Zivic is the Associate Director of Admissions for the Online MBA and Online Master of Management. She brings 20 years of brand management and business strategy experience to the Graduate School of Management and is now eager to apply her business background to her life-long passion for higher education. Zivic is excited to help prospective students achieve their potential through the transformative power of education.