Alumni Relations

Alumni Relations Alumni Relations About Events Alumni Network Stay in Touch with Luskin Career Resources Mentor & Recruit Students News Spotlight About Previous Next The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs has a global network of over 10,000 graduate and undergraduate alumni living and working in more than 42 countries. Our vision for alumni engagement at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs is to foster a vibrant and interconnected community of alumni who are actively involved, inspired, and connected to our institution. We aim to create meaningful and lifelong relationships with our alumni, providing them with opportunities for personal and professional growth while leveraging their talents and expertise to benefit our institution and current students. Our alumni engagement relationship cultivation starts while they are students and continues post-graduation, it’s an ongoing commitment. Through innovative programming, impactful events, and strong communication channels, we strive to build a sense of pride, loyalty, and continued engagement among our alumni, ensuring their continuous connection and contribution to our shared success, they are us and we are them. Upcoming Events Previous Next Luskin Alumni Regional Receptions You’re invited to reconnect and network with fellow alumni at our exclusive Alumni Regional Receptions in San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego and Washington, D.C. Join us for an evening of camaraderie, inspiration, and memories. Don’t miss this opportunity to forge valuable connections and celebrate the impact of our UCLA Luskin community. Stay tuned for the upcoming alumni receptions for the 2025-2026 academic year! Alumni Panels We’re thrilled to invite you to our engaging Alumni Panels. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to hear from accomplished alumni sharing their experiences, insights and career journeys. Discover diverse perspectives from experts in various fields, from public policy, urban planning and social welfare to our undergraduate program in public affairs. Gain valuable advice and build connections with fellow professionals. Whether you’re seeking career guidance, networking opportunities, or simply looking for inspiration, our alumni panels have something for everyone. Mark your calendars and be a part of these enriching discussions. Cafecito con Luskin Fall 2022, we inaugurated Cafecito con Luskin, a networking event for UCLA Luskin School Public Affairs Alumni living in the Los Angeles area. Cafecitos are scheduled in different coffee shops across Los Angeles to reach as many alums as possible. Please join us if you are in town; all alums, faculty, staff, and current students are welcome, and your cafecito is on us. ¡Nos vemos en el Cafecito! Stay tuned for our next one! Luskin Alumni Networking Night Join us for an unforgettable evening of connections and opportunities at Luskin Alumni Networking Night! Reconnect with fellow graduates, expand your professional network, and explore new collaborations. Engage with accomplished alumni and industry leaders, sharing insights and experiences. This event promises to foster meaningful connections, empowering you to thrive in your career and make a lasting impact. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your Luskin community bonds and open doors to exciting prospects. Stay tuned for the next one. Luskin Aperitivo Winter 2023, we launched our Luskin Aperitivo, a networking pre-dinner happy hour that will take place across different venues in the greater Los Angeles area. Stay tuned for our next Luskin Aperitivo! For more information and to RSVP for our events please remember to visit our events calendar. In addition to these alumni-specific events, UCLA Luskin invites you to attend the many events and programs we organize that are open to the entire Luskin community including: the beginning of the academic year’s Block Party, Luskin Lectures , and the Luskin Summit. Alumni Network Network with Luskin alumni & future alumni (currently enrolled students) via UCLA Luskin Office of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations page on LinkedIn. in four easy steps by updating the education section in your personal LinkedIn profile: In the Education section of your profile, add “UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs” as your school (not UCLA, the undergraduate college) Add your “Dates Attended” Add your “Degree” Click “Save,” and your profile will automatically connect to UCLA Luskin alumni & student profiles via the UCLA Luskin Office of Student Affairs and Alumni LinkedIn university page so you can network with fellow Luskin-ites Post career promotions, and job opportunities, learn about other group members, and keep up-to-date on all things Luskin. Stay in Touch with Luskin Stay in touch with the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs by updating your contact information We’d love to stay connected with you—wherever life has taken you since your time with us. Whether you’ve recently moved, stepped into a new role, updated your email, or simply haven’t been hearing from us and would like to, we want to make sure you remain part of our community. If you’re also interested in staying informed about upcoming events and opportunities, we warmly invite you to take a moment to update your contact information through the UCLA Alumni Portal. UCLA Alumni Portal If you are having trouble accessing the portal, please contact: alumni@alumni.ucla.edu or call 800-825-2586. If you’d like to explore potential collaborative opportunities with the Luskin School, please contact: Dr. Karina Mascorro Director of Alumni Engagement kmascorro@luskin.ucla.edu Follow us on your favorite social media channel for the most up-to-date news about fellow alumni, students, and faculty, and the latest events and programs on campus and beyond. Have something to share? Tag us at @UCLALuskin Curious to stay informed and engaged with all things UCLA Luskin? Don’t miss out on the latest news updates! Check out our Luskin Forum Online for thought-provoking articles. Stay updated with UCLA Luskin in the News to see our community’s impact. And for captivating visuals, dive into our vibrant Flickr albums which showcase pictures from our events. Career Resources for Alumni Recent Luskin graduate alums have continued access to Luskin OSAAR services for three months after their last academic term. Both Luskin graduate and undergraduate alums have access to UCLA Career Center services for three months after their Luskin academic term. Both Luskin undergraduate & graduate alums may also attend the next career fair after graduation. In your first year as an alum, you have one year of free access to UCLA’s campus-wide “Handshake for Alumni.” After your first year, a six months subscription is available. Please see the UCLA Career Center Alumni Page for more information. After these services are no longer available, you have lifelong career access to Luskin OSAAR’s: Job board : Luskin Graduate Student Alumni are invited to continue using CareerHub to access the Public Affairs job board If you do not yet have access to this system, don’t hesitate to contact careerservices@luskin.edu with your name, email, Luskin program, and graduation date to request account activation. Career Management Resource Page : You may self-enroll in our career development resource page here LinkedIn: We also invite you to connect with our Luskin School of Public Affairs LinkedIn Page to connect with fellow alumni, current students, and employers. UCLA Alumni’s Career Engagement Programs : Click here to view UCLA’s alumni career coaches directory and professional development programs. Social Welfare Resume Review Resources Please see the NAWSCA Career Development: Resume Review Mentor Recruit Luskin Students Mentor through UCLA ONE Register for UCLA One to: Connect: Find Bruins you know or meet Bruins you should know in a trusted UCLA environment. Give back: Introduce, employ and offer to mentor current students and recent grads. Expand: Leverage your Bruin network to further your knowledge and career aspirations. Re-connect with old classmates: UCLA ONE allows you to find and re-connect with old classmates and expand your professional network. Build Community: This is your community, where Bruins help Bruins. Leverage the collective power of the vast alumni network and cultivate a culture of helping and giving back. Please join the Luskin School of Public Affairs Group once you register. Recruitment Recruit UCLA Luskin Graduate Students Post Jobs and Internships on the Luskin Job Board Our career management system is called CareerHub . Please register here to post jobs, fellowships, and internship opportunities. If you have questions regarding CareerHub or posting, please email us Attend our Fall and/or Spring Career Fairs! Employers from all areas of public policy, social welfare, and urban planning at the public, private, nonprofit, and government levels who will have job and internship opportunities available are invited. Please log into CareerHub to register. Host an Employer Information Session If you want to promote your organization, job opportunities and meet qualified and department-specific students, please contact Kevin Medina, at kmedina@luskin.ucla.edu You are welcome to present in person or by Zoom. Forward us one-time postings. Please forward job postings to be featured in our weekly newsletter here: careerservices@luskin.ucla.edu News Former U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler, right, in dialogue with Health Net vice president Alissa Ko, a member of the UCLA Luskin Board of Advisors. Photo by Michael Troxell At the annual Luskin Summit, the former U.S. senator joined 400 scholars, students, and leaders in search for lasting equity and well-being. Liza Li reflects on fellowship recognition, UCLA Luskin training, and her commitment to culturally responsive mental health care for older adults and AAPI communities. Laila Wheeler BA ’25, one of 12 UCLA students and recent grads selected for the program, is immersing herself in Kenyan culture, history, language, and nature. Spotlight UCLA Luskin Alumni of the Year Alumni of the Year awards honor members of the alumni community who have been impactful through community service, public service, University service and/or professional achievement. By recognizing alumni, the award hopes to inspire leaders and change agents who advance solutions to society’s most-pressing problems. Joseph A. Nunn Social Welfare 2025 Alumnus of the Year Paco Retana ʼ87, M.S.W. ʼ90 Joseph A. Nunn Social Welfare Alumni of the Year Recipients 2024 Bill Watanabe MSW ’72 and Yasuko Sakamoto MSW ’83 2023 Gerry Laviña MSW ’88 2022 Ahmanise Sanati MSW ‘10 2019 Harmony (Dust) Grillo MSW ’05 2018 Helene Creager MSW ’85 2017 Aurea Montes-Rodriguez MSW ’99 2016 Marvin J. Southard DSW ’83’ 2015 Tracy Colunga MSW ’11 2014 Melinda Morgan MSW ‘89, PhD ’98 2013 Debra Duardo MSW ’96 2012 Jorja Leap MSW ’80 2011 Nelba Chavez MSW ’71 2010 Herb Hatanaka DSW ’82 2009 John Oliver MSW ’69 2008 Yolie Flores Aguilar MSW ’88 2007 Dennis Murata MSW ’84 Bruin Business 100 Alumni Awardees 2025 Erin Eriksson ’01, M.B.A.’09, M.P.P. ’09, Co-Founder & COO,  Hedgehog Dryer 2023 Leslea Meyerhoff Urban Planning ‘91 alumna, Founder & CEO, Summit Environmental Group, Inc. Bruin Excellence in Civic Engagement Alumni Awardees 2023 Lourdes Castro Ramírez MAUP ’96, Chief of Housing & Homelessness for LA City Mayor Karen Bass 2023 Norma E. Fernandez MAUP ’06, Chief Executive Officer at Everyone On 2023 Oceana R. Gilliam MPP ’19, Chief of Staff & Justice Deputy Chief of Staff & Justice Deputy, Rep. Justin J. Pearson, TN House of Representatives, District 86 2023 Rayne Laborde Ruiz MURP ’21, Associate, Koning Eizenberg Architecture; Adjunct, USC School of Architecture 2023 Teresa Magula MPP ’04, Managing Owner at OIR Group 2023 Veronica Melvin MPP ’21, President & CEO, LA Promise Fund 2023 Aaron Ordower MURP ’15, Environment Deputy, LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath 2023 Regina Wallace-Jones MPP ’99, Chief Executive Officer and President Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Luskin Alumni Bladam Gomez, BA in Public Affairs’24, Paralegal at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LPP and Affiliates Alejandra Garcia, MPP ’23, Government Affairs Manager at Comcast Rocio Perez, MPP ’23, policy and data analyst at UnidosUS Janet Zamudio, MURP ’23, Western Policy Climate Intern at Environmental Defense Fund Elizabeth Plasencia Reynolds, MPP ’23, Legislative Fellow at United States Senate Heidy Melchor, MURP ’23, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Legislative Fellow at CHCI Ashley Reyes, MPP ’22, legislative deputy at The Office of Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez in the City of Los Angeles Courtney Taylor MPP ’21,  law clerk at Federal Public Defender and current UCLA law student CORO Fellowship Alumni Aryon Shahidzadeh MURP ’24, Lead Researcher California Initiatives, Emerging Markets Development Corporation Sydney Saubestre MPP ’23, Senior Policy Analyst Open Technology Institute, New America Saman Haddad BA ’22, Jay Fujitani 1L Summer Associate, current law student at Yale Devina Ortega BA ’21, Public Information Specialist at Covina Valley School District Adriana Bernal BA ’21, Communications Associate, FISA Foundation Estefania Zavala MPP ’18, Digital Equity and Economic Inclusion Officer at City of Long Beach Education Pioneers Impact Fellowship Alumni Sydney Ganon MPP ’17, Director and Senior Consultant at Education First Consulting Emily Scheines MPP ’14, Senior Director of Skills Systems at Competency-Based Education Network Annie Kuo MPP ’12, Senior Director of Technology at Summit Public Schools Josh Mukhopadhyay MPP ’08, Deputy General Counsel at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship Alumni 2024-2025 Juan Carlos Jauregui, Social Welfare Ph.D. student, Fogarty UCGHI GloCal Health Fellow 2024-2025 Andres Felipe Ramirez, Urban Planning Ph.D. ’20, Managing Director at Plane-Site 2023-2024 Yaritza A. Gonzalez Rodriguez, MPP ’23, Policy Manager at Central American Resource Center – Los Angeles (CARECEN-LA) 2021-2022 Jacqueline Adams, MPP ’21, Sustainable Development Analyst at Green Powered Technology 2017-2018 Alejandra Rios, MURP ’24, Data Analyst, UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies 2015-2016 Miriam Julia Pinski, Urban Planning Ph.D. ’22, Research Lead at Shared-Use Mobility Center 2005-2006 Pia Franzese, MPP ’05, Senior Maritime Projects Administrator at Port of Oakland 2004-2005 Orit Stieglitz, Urban Planning Ph.D. ’06, Director of Special Projects at Bardejov Jewish Preservation Committee 2004-2005 Jessica L. Nierenberg, MURP ’04, Assistant Director at US Government Accountability Office 1994-1995 Rebecca N. Abers, MAUP ’92 and Urban Planning Ph.D. ’97, Professor at the Institute of Political Science of the University of Brasília, Brazil. 1987-1988 Bruce Ferguson, Urban Planning Ph.D. ’90, Independent Consultant at Self-Employed 1986 James H. Guerin, MAUP ’85, Musician/Teacher at Sweetwater Union High School District 1965-1966 Wilfred D. Coggins, MSW ’55, Founder Kaiser Permanente Watts. Counseling & Learning Center, currently retired Greenlining Institute Felllowship Alumni Adriana Ochoa, MURP ’24, Current MURP student at UCLA Luskin Rachel Lu, MURP ’22, Impact Fellow at UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability Adriana Bernal, BA in Public Affairs ’22, Communication Associate at FISA Foundation Zainab Badi, MPP ’19, Workforce Policy Project Manager, GRID Alternatives JC De Vera, MPP ’17, Director at Hirsch Philanthropy Partners Monica Gomez, MPP ’04, Program Officer at the California Wellness Foundation Harvard Kennedy Government Performance Lab Fellowship Alumni Gabriela Solis Torres MSW/MPP ’19, Assistant Director at HKS Government Performance Lab Lindsay Graef MSW/MPP ’19, Doctoral Student at University of Pennsylvania Jesse M. Unhuh Assembly Fellowship Alumni Laura Edwards MPP ’23, Legislative Aide at California State Assembly LA County Management Fellows Alumni Ross Lenihan, MPP ‘15, Policy & Data Manager at County of Los Angeles Workforce Department (DEO) Brandon Dowling MPP ’13, Chief of Staff at Pacific6 Long Beach Management Assistant Program Alumni Adriana Ochoa MURP ’25, Management Assistant at the City of Long Beach Savanna Doudar MPP ’23, Homeless Strategy and Partnership Specialist at the City of Long Beach Mary Daou MPP ’20, Administrative Analyst at the City of Long Beach Estefania Zavala MPP ’18, Digital Equity and Economic Inclusion Officer at the City of Long Beach Ryan Kurtzman MURP ’18, Technology and Partnerships Officer at the City of Long Beach Alvin Teng MPP ’18, Homeless Strategy and Partnerships Manager at the City of Long Beach Elizabeth Calixtro MPP ’16, Labor Relations Manager at Multnomah County Luskin Bohnett Fellowship Alumni Discover the Bohnett Fellows’ impactful presence in public service and innovation. Leading transformative initiatives across esteemed organizations and government institutions, they drive progress in city administrations, social justice, sustainability, and technology firms. Their dedication to excellence and commitment to creating positive change inspire brighter futures for all, leaving an indelible mark on the communities they serve. Alberto Vargas, MPP ’25, Bohnett Fellow, Office of Mayor Karen Bass Genaro Ventura, MSW ’25, Bohnett Fellow, Office of Public Safety and Office of Community Safety, Mayor Karen Bass Judy Saunders, MPP ’25, Bohnett Fellow, LA Mayor’s Office of Housing and Homelessness Solutions 2024-2025 Newlofar Ahmadi, MPP’ 24, Finance Consultant, Michael Tubbs for Lieutenant Governor Jose Alvarez, MURP’ 24, Senior Associate, Estolano Advisors Antonia Izuogu, MURP ’23, Law Studnet Class of 2026, Howard University School of Law Lana Zimmerman MPP ’23, Associate Project Manager, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation Michelle Gallarza, MURP ’23, Planning Assistant, Department of City Planning, City of Los Angeles Katrina Deloso, MURP/MPH ’23, Housing and Planning Fellow, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development Imelda Islas, MPP ’23, Interm Housing Solutions, Project Manager, John Burton Advocates for Youth Christina Anecito MPP ’22, Senior Associate, Cityfi Tyrone Carter, MSW’22, Associate Master Clinician, Addiction Medicine Recovery Services, Kaiser Permanente Alejandro Gonzalez, MURP ’21, Director, South LA ALL In, Coalition for Responsible Community Development Courtney B. Taylor, MPP ’21, Law Clerk, Noncapital Habeas Unit, Federal Public Defender/ UCLA Law Candidate 202 Karishma Shamdasani, MPP ’21, Senior Transportation and Infrastructure Deputy, L.A. County Board of Supervisors Mary Daou, MPP ’20 (USCM), Administrative Analyst, City of Long Beach Jonathan Kosaka MPP ’20, Credit Controller, Robert Walters Victoria Lewis, MSW/MPP ’20, Clinical Fellow, Yale School of Medicine Child Study Center Samantha Meyer, MURP ’20, Associate Director of Real Estate Development, Eden Housing, Inc. Iman Nanji, MPP ’19, Project Leader, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Sean Tan, MPP ’19, Lead Policy Researcher, University of Michigan Medical School Shonté Johnson, MSW ’19, Associate Clinical Social Worker, Epiphany Counseling, Consulting, & Treatment Services Ryan Kurtzman, MURP ’18, Technology Partnership Officer, City of Long Beach Caroline Menjivar, MSW ’18, California State Senator, District 20 Isaac Bryan MPP ’18, California State Assemblymember, 55th District and California State Assembly Majority Leader Tammy (Barreras) Ortuno, MSW ’17, Director of Workforce Development, Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Jayanthi Daniel, MSW ’17, Founder, The Los Angeles Homelessness Knowledge Project John Christian “JC”, MPP ’17, Director, Third Plateau Tony Tonnu, MURP ’17 (USCM), Data Scientist, Thyme Care Jeremiah Atterman MSW ’16, Senior Director of Business & Strategy, National Council for Mental Wellbeing Elizabeth Calixtro MPP ’16, Labor Relations Manager, Multnomah County Andrew Stricklin, MURP ’16, Senior Manager, Global Expansion Proposals & Permits at Lime Kiana Taheri, MPP’16, Special Projects Officer, Los Angeles City Administrative Officer Skylar Ibarra (Lenox), MSW ’15, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Lenarra Therapy Kelsey Jessup, MPP ’15, Project Director, Urban Conservation, The Nature Conservancy Jacky Guerrero, MPP ’15, Director, Equity in Community Investments, Catalyst California Holli Fajack, MURP ’14, Sustainability Manager, California State University, Long Beach Saira Gandhi, MPP ’14, Senior Management Analyst, Equity, Performance Management & Innovation, City of Los Angeles of the Chief Administrative Officer Lilly O’Brien-Kovari, MURP ’14, Senior Associate, Fehr & Peers Dan Rodman, MURP ’13, Deputy Director of Transportation, Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Lila Hayatdavoudi, MPP ’13, Senior Policy Analyst, General Counsel, University of California Nahtahna Cabanes, MSW ’13, Chief Executive Officer, NC Strategies Rubin Carter, MURP ’13, Director of State Transportation Advocacy, Natural Resources Defense Council Michelle De Santiago, MPP ’12, Program Officer, First 5 LA Joshua Low, MPP ‘12, Municipal Advisors, Ehlers Lys Mendez, MPP ’12, Communications Strategist, Better World Group Amanda Smick, MSW ’12, Pediatric Transplant Social Worker, UCLA Health Daniel Caroselli MURP ’11, Digital Inclusion & Performance Management Unit, Bureau of Street Lightning, City of LA Tyrone Carter MSW ’11, Associate Master Clinician: Addiction Medicine Recovery Services, Kaiser Permanente Susanna Curry, MSW ’11, Assistant Professor, California State University- Sacramento Cathy Dang, MSW ’11, National Co-Director, Grassroots Asians Rising Karissa Yee Findley, MPP ’11, Director of School Portfolio Planning, San Francisco Unified School District Priya Zachariah, MURP ’10, Chief Resilience Officer, Harris County Flood Control District Frank Lopez, MPP ’10, Director, Regional Public Affairs, SoCal Gas Helen Beckon Kerstein MPP ‘09, Principal Fiscal and Policy Analyst, California Legislative Analyst’s Office Min-Kuk Song, MPP ’09, Deputy County Counsel, Office of the County Counsel, County of Santa Clara Jamilla Jordan, UP ’09, Equity Director, County of Marin Mary Wallace, MSW ’09, Program Coordinator, PEERS, LA County Department of Mental Health Everardo Alvizio MSW ’08, Community Liaison HIV, LA South, Gilead Sciences Gregory Spotts, MPP ’08, Director, Seattle Department of Transportation Laura Zahn, UP ’08, Founder and Designer/Maker, Off the Saw Luskin LA County Office of Child Protection Fellowship Alumni Explore the careers our esteemed LA County Office of Child Protection Fellow Alumni have embarked on. From fervent social workers to Ph.D. candidates, our esteemed alumni exemplify dedication and commitment to safeguarding vulnerable youth. Rachel Parker-Chavez  MSW and MPP ’25, Human-Centered Design Strategist, Co-Founder Miranda Velazquez MSW ’23, Alex Bowen MSW ’22, Clinical Social Worker and Clinic Manager at UCLA Health Kimberly Fuentes MSW ’21, Clinical Social Worker at Wombat Mental Health Services, Study Coordinator and Ph.D. Candidate at UC Luskin Department of Social Welfare Anthony Gomez MSW ’20, Ph.D. Candidate at UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare Sara Rubinstein MPP ’19, MPP Homeless Initiatives Manager at United Way of Greater Los Angeles Erica Ontiveros MSW ’18, Deputy Probation Officer at County Santa Barbara Barbara Lundqvist MPP ’17, Project Director at Los Angeles County Office of Child Protection Luskin Liberty Hill Fellowship Alumni Liberty Fellow Alumni hold prominent positions across various fields. From influential government leaders to trailblazing entrepreneurs and innovative changemakers in nonprofit organizations, our esteemed alumni exemplify the spirit of transformative leadership. With their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to creating a positive societal impact, these exceptional individuals are redefining success and shaping a better future for our communities. Isabelle Aguirre MSW ’26, Social Work Intern at ACLU SoCal Internship Sooji Yang MPP ’26, Consultant at Common Spark Consulting Viviana Morales MPP ’25, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation Alexa Moghadam MPP ’25, Policy and Advocacy Fellow at Justice2Jobs Coalition Internship Sonia Zamora MPP ’23 Government Contracts and Grants Coordinator at Step Up Maura O’Neill MPP ’23, Policy Analyst & Advocate at Ideate Labs Jesse Ostroff MPP ’23, Assistant Vice President, Client Advisor, Philanthropic Services at Whittier Trust Company Christian Lua MPP ’23, Planning Technician at the City of Jurupa Valley Alberto Murillo MPP ’23, Performance Auditor, The City of San Diego Rasik Hussain MPP ’22, Infrastructure Policy Analyst at Arnold Ventures Katiana Chang MSW ’22, Associate Therapist at Kaiser Permanente Casey Leedom MURP ’22, Planner at San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Tayler Ward MURP ’21, Senior Manager of Communications and Education at Just Solutions Gerrlyn Gacao MURP ’21, Program Manager, Community Ownership for Community Power Fund at Common Counsel Foundation Kaylin Canilone MPP/MSW ’20, Research and Policy Manager at Los Angeles Department of Youth Development Katherine Cabrera MURP ’20, Senior Program Manager, Capacity Building at The Greenlining Institute Joel Montano MURP ’20, Housing Planning and Economic Analyst at Lost Angeles Housing Department Jesus Flores MURP ’19, Director of Policy and Strategy at UC Riverside Inland Empire and Community Center Jessa Mae McCormack MURP ’19, Deputy Director of Housing Justice at Liberty Hill Foundation Jessica Prieto MURP ’19, Program Manager, Peace Development Fund Gabriela Lopez MSW ’19, unknown Desiree Lopez MSW ’19, Student Success Coordinator at San Diego State University Research Foundation Cameron Phillips MURP ’19, unknown Evelyn Larios MSW ’18, Restorative Justice Coordinator, Vaughn Next Century Learning Center Simi Aliu MURP ’17, Senior Advisor at Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at John Hopkins University Brittany Woods MSW ’17, Lead Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor at LAUSD Michael Janusek MURP ’16, Associate Planner at M-Group Daniel Lee MSW ’15, Mayor City of Culver City Partners for Better Health Randall Lewis Health and Policy Fellowship Alumni Kaitlyn Fu, MURP ’25, Planning Intern at AECOM and current graduate student at UCLA Lucy Briggs MURP ’24, Research Specialist for the Environment and Public Health at McCune Law Group Michelle Rivera, MURP ’24, Westlake Buy Nothing Group- Self-employed Yesenia Becerra, MURP ’24, Coordinator, Systems Components-Time Limited Subsidies at Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Antonia Izuogu MURP ’23, law student at Howard University School of Law Sara Durghalli MURP ’23, Co-Founder, Events Liaison at Arab-American Coalition for Equity Ana Gabriela Tapia MURP ’15, Senior Community Investment Officer at CSH, the Source for Housing Solutions Peace Corps Alumni Alicia Nyein, MPP ’23, Assistant Program Manager of Workforce Development at Los Angeles County of Economic Development Sara Terrana, PhD in Social Welfare ’19 and MSW ’13, Assistant Professor at Adelphi University Sarah Burtner MPP ’18, Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the City of Seattle Olivia Nelli, BA in Public Affairs ’22, Peace Corps Volunteer at the Youth Development Program in Peru Presidential Management Fellowship Alumni Abraham Cheung MPP ’23, Survey Statistician at U.S. Census Bureau Monica Mata MPP ’23, Program Examiner| Treasury Branch at Office of Management and Budget Sophia Li MPP ’22, Presidental Management Fellow at United States Space Force Shira Bergstein MPP ’12, Senior Grants Program Manager at the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Tom Schumacher MPP ’12, Director of Investments, Open Road Impact Fund at Open Road Alliance Melissa Paulding MPP ’08,  President and COO, SAVI (Defense & Space) Varisa Patraporn MPP, Ph.D. Urban Planning ’07, Associate Professor at California State University at Long Beach Jessica (Hausman) Ramakis MPP ’03, Director, Grants Policy Office at U.S. Department of Education, Councilmember, Town of Vienna (VA) Chandra Keller MPP ’03, Chief of Staff at National Institute on Aging (NIA) David Bortnick MPP ’01, Professional Staff Member, House Appropriations Committee Michael Levine MURP ‘79, Executive & Group Coach/ Trainer, Treasury Executive Institute pro bono at the US  Department of Treasury and Senior Systemic Team Coaching Practitioner, Executive and Leadership Coach at Churchill Leadership Group Inc. Freelance SF Foundation Multicultural Fellowship Program JC De Vera MPP ’17, Director at Hirsch Philanthropy Partners Switzer Fellowship Alumni Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez, MPP ’24, Policy Fellow at UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute Edgar Reyna, MURP ’23, Climate Resilience Senior Analyst at Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Monika Shankar, MURP ’21, Ph.D. Student at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health John Scott-Railton, Ph.D. ’21, Senior Researcher at Citizens Lab Deja Thomas, MURP ’20, Program Manager at Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity at Work (CARE) UCLA Labor Center Zully Juarez, MURP ’20, Senior and Research and Policy Analyst at Just Solutions Collective Karen Diaz Ruvalcaba, MURP ’19, Conservancy Project Analyst Aaron Ordower, MURP ’15, Environment Deputy at Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Alexa Engelman, J.D. and MPP ’11, Assistant Regional Counsel, General & Cross-cutting Law Section at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Colleen Callahan, MURP ’10, Co-Executive Director and Co-founder of the Luskin Center for Innovation Christine Lee, Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a Minor in Urban Planning  ’10, Technical Group Supervisor, Water and Ecosystem Group, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Jamillah Jordan, MURP ’09, Equity Director, County of Marin Martha Matsuoka, MURP ’05, Professor and Department Chair/Executive Director, Urban Planning and Environmental Institute at Occidental College Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Oriana Luquetta, MPP ’16, Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State UCLA Alumni Association Features Jaime Nack, MPP’02, President at Three Squares Regina Wallace-Jones, MPP’99, CEO and President at ActBlue UCLA Luskin MPP Alumni of the Year 2023 Regina Wallace-Jones MPP’99, CEO & President of ActBlue 2022 Sandeep A. Prasanna MPP/JD’15, Counsel for Miller & Chevalier Chartered and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center 2021 Isaac Bryan MPP’18, Assemblymember for California State Assembly 2022 Max Gomberg MPP’07, Independent Consultant 2019 Nelson Esparza MPP’15, City Council Member for the City of Fresno, California 2018 Jaime Nack MPP’02, President of Three Squares Inc., Founder of Women in Green Forum, Faculty Lecturer for UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Advisory Board Member for SOUNDWaves Holdings, Advisory Board Member for Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network, Young Global Leader for World Economic Forum, and Advisory Board Member for RecyclePoints 2017 Tanzila “Taz” Ahmed MPP’07, A-Doc Impact Fellow for the Asian American Documentary Network (A-Doc) 2016 Chuck Gatchell MPP’05, VP/GM of Olympics & Brand Concepts, Nike, Inc. 2015 Nurit Katz MPP’08, Chief Sustainability Officer for UCLA 2014 Nathalie Rayes MPP’99, Distinguished Senior Fellow for the Atlantic Council 2013 Rusty Bailey MPP’99, Teacher/Coach for Riverside Unified School District 2012 Kathryn Phillips MPP’01, Policy Advocate and Activist 2011 Greg Spotts MPP’08, West Coast Client Support Leader for Arcadis 2010 Manan Trivedi MPP’07, Hospitalist for Kaiser Permanente and USACS, Independent Consultant, and Chief Medical Officer for Clinovations Government + Health 2009 Celeste Drake MPP’02, Deputy Director General for International Labor Organization 2008 Jennifer White MPP’06, Consultant for Jen White Consulting 2007 Andrew Von Ah MPP’07, Director of Physical Infrastructure Issues for U.S. Government Accountability Office 2006 Veronica Melvin MPP’01, President and CEO of LA Promise Fund 2005 Emily C. Williams MPP’98, Founding Executive Director for UCAAN and Strategic Consultant and Public Speaker for Emily Presents 2004 Mary Kohav MPP’98, Principal of Equity and Manager of Community Relations for Los Angeles Metro 2003 Dylan Presman MPP’98, Director of Budget and Assessment for the Office of the National Cyber Director Apr 23 Join us for an engaging alumni panel, Sustainability in the Entertainment Industry, featuring UCLA Luskin alumni Jazz Henry MURP'25 and Irma Livadic MPP'19, who are building careers at the intersection of sustainability, […] May 12 Join Dr. Jasmine Smith, the Director of Capacity Building with the NASW-CA Chapter to learn about the social work licensure process, including key steps, requirements, and guidance for navigating the licensure pathway. May 14 Join us for a special evening with fellow UCLA Luskin alumni in the Bay Area! We’re excited to bring our community together in San Francisco for a relaxed happy hour […] View Calendar Contact UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs 3250 Public Affairs Building - Box 951656 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656 Campus Resources Maps, Directions, Parking Directory Contact Academic Calendar Careers Diversity University of California Follow The statements on this page represent the views of people affiliated with the Luskin School of Public Affairs and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UCLA or its Chancellor. Posts and comments by individuals at UCLA on social media channels may not reflect the opinions or policies of UCLA , the University of California or the Luskin School, nor its benefactors and academic partners. Scroll to top