LEAD Executive Board Elections

Elections are now open for voting and will close May 10th. Please vote here.

Elections are hosted in the Spring quarter to elect all open positions. The full membership of the LEAD Group will be eligible to vote for all positions. In the case of a tie, the incoming Chair may poll the Board individually for input and then make the final decision. For questions about becoming an executive board member, contact ucrlead@ucr.edu.

Tanya Wine

(951) 827-3741
tanya.wine@ucr.edu

Tanya Wine has worked in Higher Education for the past 27 years. She began her career as a work-study student while finishing her undergraduate degree, working in the College of Business and Public Administration at Cal State San Bernardino. Since moving to UCR, she has worked in the Bourns College of Engineering, the Graduate Division, and the Anderson Graduate School of Management before coming to CHASS, where she has served as the Academic Resources Manager and now serves as the Divisional FAO for the Multidisciplinary Unit and Performing Arts Departments as part of the Dean’s office Finance Team.

Cristina Gonzalez

Why do you want to be a part of LEAD?

I am eager to join LEAD as I’ve witnessed the transformative effect its events have on our campus. It’s a privilege to join a community dedicated to professional advancement, ongoing personal development, and collective contributions to our university’s initiatives. My previous involvement in a LEAD cohort allowed me to see firsthand the synergy created when diverse individuals from various departments and backgrounds come together to create valuable resources and further enrich the UCR experience.

What does leadership mean to you?

An individual can be a leader, regardless of their title or role, as long as they can positively influence a team or other individuals to reach their desired outcomes.

How do you see LEAD growing in the future and what can you contribute during your term?

I envision LEAD extending its influence to more staff on staff. As part of the LEAD board, I aim to motivate my peers to engage with our events and discover their own capacity for leadership. Serving on the LEAD board, I aspire to contribute to the evaluation of present professional development needs, foster campus leadership involvement, and maintain collaborative efforts with other campus groups that share our common goals.

Brittany Fraser

(951)827-0626

brittany.fraser@ucr.edu

Brittany Fraser is a 2018 UCR Alumna with a degree in Cellular, Molecular, and Development Biology. She currently serves as the Purchasing & Financial Assistant for the University of California, Riverside in the Performing Arts Administration unit. Her main responsibilities include purchasing as well as contracting for performances and independent contractors. She previously worked as the Events Manager for CHASS Facilities. Under that role, she managed over 940 events a year with a small student staff of 6 students. She has an immense passion for advising and leading her student staff as well as those around her. She now serves as a Wellness Ambassador for CHASS and is the current Immediate Past President of LEAD. She has a cat and loves photography.

Arpy Barsemian

Why do you want to be a part of LEAD?

I want to be part of LEAD since I am eager to enhance my leadership skills and network with UCR leaders and individuals from different departments across campus. LEAD will allow me to network with professionals in other departments which will broaden my perspective and provide me an opportunity to learn about what other professionals do on campus. I will also have the opportunity to share what I do as a Medical Education Quality Analyst at UCR SOM and share my story. Learning from seasoned professionals who are part of LEAD will help me in my current role and will also help me achieve my goal of becoming a leader at UCR. LEAD will give me the opportunity to leverage my own skills as well as improve on skills, which will help my success as an overall professional at UCR.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership means to lead by example, to take initiative, and being empathetic. It is a way to encourage and empower others in any aspect of their lives. It is to take the perspective of the other individual in your team by being an active listener and understanding their perspective. Leadership is about collaboration and to ensure that everyone on the team or whomever you are interacting with feels valued and comfortable contributing their ideas. Lastly, it is to be proactive and take initiative, whether it be identifying opportunities and challenges, and to be willing to step to solve issues and make things happen.

How do you see LEAD growing in the future and what can you contribute during your term?

I see LEAD growing in the future by having more leaders and aspiring leaders join the board and membership as well as having additional events. Having more events from networking sessions, panels, to workshops will be a great opportunity for professionals to learn and connect with LEAD. LEAD will continue growing into a place where aspiring and current leaders with different perspectives can come together to share ideas and their stories. LEAD will continue making efforts to inspire more UCR professionals, provide more professional development opportunities, and mentorship opportunities. During my term, I can contribute my skills gained from my time serving as Secretary and currently serving as Vice Chair for American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). In both roles, I honed my skills of planning and facilitating events ranging from networking events to panels. As current Vice Chair of ACHE, I lead our Inland Empire chapter and officers alongside the Chair by facilitating and planning for member and officer meetings as well as our panel sessions and networking events. Some of my strengths include my ability to network with other professionals, collaborate with team members, and problem solving. I am excited and eager to contribute ideas to LEAD and to further its growth and impact at UCR.

Alexandra Rollins

Professional Development Co-Chair
(951) 827-4928
alexandra.rollins@ucr.edu

Alexandra Rollins is a leadership consultant with 10 years of experience in managing organizational changes for Fortune 500 companies. Alexandra has worked with Toyota, Mattel, Hyundai, The Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) and most recently UCR.

Alexandra helps organizations maximize their performance and to achieve their vision by developing and implementing leadership strategies that improve productivity and efficiency. Through her vast experience in organizational change management (OCM), leadership development and training, Alexandra has built and developed lasting relationships with a wide-array of organizational leaders, including directors, managers and executives.

Alexandra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside and a Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University.

Alexandra volunteers as a member of the UCR Alumni Scholarship Association, and as a Regional Collegiate Specialist with Delta Gamma overseeing chapters at various colleges throughout Southern California, including the chapter at UCR.

Alexandra is currently serving UCR as the Interim Director of Employee and Organizational Development and has a passion for developing leaders across campus.

Erika Santoyo

Why do you want to be a part of LEAD?

I want to continue to help UCR staff with their professional development.

What does leadership mean to you?

To me leadership is the opportunity to help others be the best versions of themselves.

How do you see LEAD growing in the future and what can you contribute during your term?

I think LEAD has the potential to be as important as Staff Assembly. Through Staff Assembly staff are able to get more updates on what is going on within the university but LEAD provides staff with tools to help them better themselves in their professional and personal lives.

Raymond Holguin

Information Technology Co-Chair
(951) 827-6212
raymond.holguin@ucr.edu

Raymond is the Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. He is the project manager and lead developer for all web applications developed in CHASS for both internal and external usage. He is also responsible for implementing and maintaining the CHASS server and security infrastructure. Raymond is a proud UCR alumnus having received his B.S. degree in Computer Engineering.

Vanessa Torrez

Why do you want to be a part of LEAD?

I want to be part of LEAD because I want to assist in raising awareness about opportunities available at UCR that can benefit the institution as a whole. Promoting a culture of continuous learning by highlighting professional development will also have a positive impact on employee engagement which is something I am passionate about.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership, to me, means the ability to inspire and empower others to work towards a common goal.

How do you see LEAD growing in the future and what can you contribute during your term?

A goal would be to bring more awareness to staff through marketing and communication by strategically engaging with staff and building connections. LEAD is making an impact, and I would work towards bringing increased brand awareness of LEAD

Arpy Barsemian

Why do you want to be a part of LEAD?

What does leadership mean to you?

How do you see LEAD growing in the future and what can you contribute during your term?

Amy Gu

Why do you want to be a part of LEAD?

I have been involved with LEAD for a very long time and have been a member of the executive board since 2021. LEAD has provided me with different opportunities on campus, such as being a panelist at the Staff Conference, a committee member for various campus workgroups, etc. I have grown a lot professional and personally through LEAD and I am very grateful. As Director of Finance, I hope to continue serving and inspiring other leaders to be more involved.

What does leadership mean to you?

As a financial operations manager, leadership is very important. In my role, I have to demonstrate and adopt leadership behaviors to support individuals and team needs. Good leaders demonstrate honesty and integrity. They influence, motivate, and listen. I strive to be a servant leader and work to understand and address the needs and development of my team.

How do you see LEAD growing in the future and what can you contribute during your term?

I see LEAD growing as a group and increasing engagement among staff members, especially in professional development. Since I been involved, we have already grown tremendously and developed many new programs. We have revamped our certificate program to a 2-year program, allowing our cohort to have more time to reflect and utilize what they learn and apply it to their current career. As Director of Finance, I hope to encourage leaders to get involved and develop their professional development skills. I hope to help staff members get involved and engage with the various staff groups on campus. I hope to make sure we are utilizing campus funds appropriately and to help our staff in their professional development.

Vacant.

Shannon Minter

Why do you want to be a part of LEAD?

I would like to be part of LEAD for three main reasons: 1) Passion for Working with People: Interacting with others is not just a task but a genuine pleasure for me. I find great satisfaction in coaching and assisting individuals, empowering them to unlock their potential and make meaningful contributions to UCR. 2) Desire to Give Back to UCR: I believe in the power of positivity and inspiration. With a naturally upbeat personality and the ability to motivate others, I am driven to give back to UCR by sharing my enthusiasm and energy. I aspire to cultivate a vibrant and supportive environment where every member of the UCR family feels valued and empowered to excel. 3) Heart of a Volunteer: Volunteering is not just an activity; it's a fundamental part of who I am. I am deeply committed to serving others and making a positive impact within the UCR community. Whether it's lending a helping hand, spearheading initiatives, or simply being there for my colleagues, my dedication to serving with compassion and integrity drives me to contribute wholeheartedly to the

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership means guiding and inspiring others toward a shared goal. It includes making decisions, motivating teams, and building trust. Good leaders communicate well, show empathy, and act with integrity. Leadership can be seen in many areas like work, politics, or school, and can vary from being charismatic to focusing on serving others. Ultimately, it's about making a positive difference and motivating others to join in.

How do you see LEAD growing in the future and what can you contribute during your term?

I envision LEAD growing in the future by expanding its reach and impact within the UCR community. This growth could involve increasing participation in leadership development programs, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, and providing tailored support to individuals at all levels of the organization. If elected to LEAD, I'll use my love for working with people to inspire others. I'll listen to everyone at UCR, try to understand what they need, and support programs that help them grow. I will use my skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving to facilitate constructive dialogue and drive positive change within LEAD. Whether it's mentoring, leading workshops, or starting new projects, I'm dedicated to using my time and energy to help LEAD make UCR's leaders even stronger.

Veronica Ruiz

(951) 827-2316
veronica.ruiz@ucr.edu

Veronica Ruiz is the Assistant Dean and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering. She is a hands-on executive with extensive experience in complex administrative and academic environments. Her responsibilities include providing strategic leadership and guidance on all financial, budgetary, and administrative matters. She is skilled in strategy development, execution, and problem-solving. As part of the executive management team of the school, she contributes to strategic vision setting, critical decision-making, and represents the school on various campus-wide committees.

Her past leadership experience includes serving on multiple staff organizations such as the UCR Staff Assembly Executive Board as Vice President/President-Elect, President, and Past President. The Council of UC Staff Assemblies as senior delegate for UCR and in a support role to the boards of the Administrative Management Professionals (AMP) and the Leaders of Excellence and Distinction (LEAD).

Veronica is a first-generation college graduate and proud alumnus from UCR with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Sociology. She also has a Master of Public Administration from CSU San Bernardino. She is happily married to her husband, Alex Ruiz, and has four wonderful children.

Job Descriptions: LEAD Executive Board Positions

Vice President/President Elect
Vice President/President Elect – elected (First year of overall 3-year commitment)
1. In consort with the President and Director of Events, actively assist in the programmatic needs of meetings and professional development training;
2. Serves as first alternate to the President (In cases where President is unavailable to officiate). Perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the absence of the President and in accordance with the bylaws and serve as President -Elect.
3. Actively assist in mentoring the Board Members;
4. Attend all General Meetings and Board Member meetings;
5. Be a voting member of the Board;
6. Ex-Officio capacity on all Ad Hoc Committees
7. Other duties as directed by the President and the approval of the Board (simple majority).
Directors of Professional Development (2)
Directors of Professional Development (2)
1. In consort with the President and President -Elect, actively develop LEAD professional development activities and offerings.
2. Actively coordinate with the Employee and Organizational Development Office within Human Resources in the development of curriculum and professional development activities.
3. Manage the LEAD Certificate Program.
4. Serve on subcommittees pertaining to HMC and UCR Staff Conference.
5. In consort with the President and President--Elect, develop and manage the speakers for the LEAD R’ Ship Series.
6. Attend all Board Meetings and LEAD events.
7. Be a voting member of the Board.
8. Other duties as directed by the President and the approval of the Board (simple majority).
Director of Information Technology
Director of Information Technology
1. Maintain all records as may be required;
2. Actively develop and maintain the LEAD website;
3. Attend all General Meetings and Board meetings;
4. Be a voting member of the Board;
5. Other duties as directed by the President and the approval of the Board (simple majority).
6. Serve on the UCR Staff Conference committee in relation to software used.
Director of Events
Director of Events
1. In consort with the President and President -Elect, actively assist in the programmatic needs of meetings and professional development training.
2. Actively participate in the schedule and organization of the General Meeting (ex. Follow R’LEAD) and/or Professional Development activity.
3. Maintain pre-registration lists and sign-in lists at events/programs.
4. Collect all data for events.
5. Attend all General Meetings and Board Meetings.
6. Be a voting member of the Board.
7. Other duties as directed by the President and the approval of the Board (simple majority).
Director of Marketing and Communications
Director of Marketing and Communications
1. In consort with the President and President -Elect, actively assist in the marketing needs and brand awareness of LEAD.
2. Actively email/announce all LEAD events and/or professional development activities to the general membership.
3. Manage all social media platforms.
4. Create flyers and all media to be distributed on social media.
5. Attend all Board Meetings and LEAD events.
6. Be a voting member of the Board.
7. Other duties as directed by the President and the approval of the Board (simple majority).
Director of Administration
Director of Administration
1. Create and distribute meeting agendas.
2. Take and distribute Meeting minutes by electronic distribution, posting to the LEAD website, or in hard copy.
3. Maintain all records as may be required.
4. Update and revise bylaws as changes are approved by the Board.
5. Work with the President and Director of Finance with coordinating purchases, retreat, and cohort end of year event.
6. Assist the President with miscellaneous administrative tasks; scheduling Executive Board meetings.
7. Analyze and develop reports, for all data for events and provide information and recommendations to the President.
8. Be a voting member of the Board.
Director of Finance
Director of Finance
1. Serve as second alternate to President (in cases where the Vice President/President Elect is unavailable to officiate in the President’s absence)
2. Work closely with Chancellors Org to maintain all necessary records pertaining to receipt and disbursement of funds.
3. Under guidance of the Chancellors ORG ensure the fiduciary responsibility of LEAD in accordance with the separation of duties guidelines and trainings set forth by the University and Chancellors ORG.
4. Work with the President and Vice President/President-Elect to develop a proposed budget for the following year based on anticipated expenditures.
5. Coordinate the funding and transaction needs for the various committees with the Chancellors ORG
6. Work with the President and Chancellors ORG to obtain approvals.
7. Be a voting member of the Board.
Director of Outreach
Director of Outreach
1. Gather more Listserv names at all outreach events.
2. Develop and manage events pertaining to Outreach efforts including but not limited to Community Partner Fair, Coffee & Donuts, and New Staff Orientation efforts.
3. In consort with the President, President -Elect, and Director of Programming, develop and implement outreach efforts for the Success Makeover event.
4. Manage and update LEAD listserv.
5. Attend all Board Meetings and LEAD events.
6. Be a voting member of the Board.
7. Other duties as directed by thePresident and the approval of the Board (simple majority).
Member at Large
Member at Large
1. Serve as a subcommittee member for the Director of Outreach.
2. Serve as members of standing committees at the direction of the Board.
3. Serve as members on Ad Hoc Committees at the direction of the Board.
4. Attend all General Meetings and Board meetings.
5. Actively participate in the life of LEAD; learn, watch and absorb information; volunteer according to individual strengths and participate on various sub-committees.
6. Other duties as directed by the President and the approval of the Board (simple majority).