Women & Careers Symposium
Join us for the 20th Anniversary of the Women & Careers Symposium, a cornerstone event hosted by the Women’s and Gender Equity Center and the Career Development Center. Since 2006, this conference has been dedicated to fostering women's leadership and career development through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and inspiring discussions.
All attendees will be entered into the opportunity drawing. Lunch and refreshments provided!
Round-Table Discussion Topics:
- Getting the Conversation Started: Communication & Networking
- Reality Check: Aligning Expectations with the Market
- From Plan A to Plan B (or C): Pivoting, Adaptability & Career Growth
Panelist Moderator:
Sarah Buford
Talent Acquisition Manager, Enterprise
Panelist Speakers & Round-Table Discussion Facilitators:
Dr. Jennifer Kalish
Program Director, JusticeCorps
Kayla Daniell
Senior Consultant, Talent Acquisition, UCLA Health
Christina Cantero
Talent Acquisition Outreach Coordinator, Para Los Ninos
Round-Table Discussion Facilitators:
Marissa Mobley
College Recruiter, Gallo
Espie Martinez
HR Analyst, County of Orange
Melanie Ramos
HR Administrator, County of Orange
Kandi Gonzalez
Youth Program Specialist, °µÍøÊÓÆµ Economic Development & Opportunity, Workforce Development Youth Services
Ebony Scott
°µÍøÊÓÆµ Public Service Corp Youth Liaison
Laura E. Gutiérrez, Specialist
Career Ladder Programs, Division of Human Resources, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Featured Panelist Speakers:
Talent Acquisition Manager, Enterprise
Sarah has been with Enterprise for over 20 years. She graduated from Briar Cliff University in Iowa. Soon after she moved to Southern California and worked her way up with Enterprise Mobility to Branch Manager before getting promoted to Human Resources, working as a Talent Development Manager, HR Generalist Manager and most recently the Talent Acquisition Manager. She is currently responsible for hiring throughout the Orange County and °µÍøÊÓÆµ County regions.
Program Director, JusticeCorps
Dr. Jennifer Kalish has been the JusticeCorps Program Director at the Los Angeles Superior Court since 2004. She is passionate about access to justice and public interest careers. She works with students and partners to design supportive, equity-focused programs centered on mentorship, service, and leadership.
Senior Consultant, Talent Acquisition, UCLA Health
Registered Nurse with 11 years of diverse nursing experience, primarily in Post-Anesthesia Care (PACU). A graduate of the University of Arkansas, I’ve spent the past year in Human Resources as a Nurse Recruiter at UCLA, combining clinical insight with talent acquisition. Based in °µÍøÊÓÆµ since 2018, I bring a strong commitment to patient care, team collaboration, and healthcare workforce development.
Talent Acquisition Outreach Coordinator, Para Los Ninos
A proud Compton native, Christina is a Learning & Development Coordinator at Para Los Niños (PLN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, social services, and workforce development. Her work is grounded in the belief that when people are equipped with the right tools, mindset, and support, they can transform not only their own lives, but their communities.
She earned her B.A. in Child Development with a minor in English from Cal State LA in 2016. She went on to expand her expertise by enrolling into a life coach certification, an accounting certification, and the HR Management Certificate program at °µÍøÊÓÆµâ€” strengthening her ability to develop people, manage program budgets, and cultivate talent with intention. In 2021, she earned her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Claremont Lincoln University, further deepening her capacity to lead with strategy, empathy, and impact.
Christina began her career at PLN in 2018 as a Career Advisor within the YWS program, where she spent over three years guiding individuals along meaningful life and career pathways. She later transitioned into Talent Acquisition and Campus Outreach, expanding access to employment, internship, and volunteer opportunities while strengthening community partnerships. Today, she is helping to launch PLN’s Learning & Development department, building systems that foster a culture of continuous learning. In addition, she serves on the Employee Engagement & Experience Committee (E3), leading efforts that cultivate an engaging, people-centered culture and advance meaningful staff recognition initiatives.
Passionate about advocating for staff, cultivating a growth mindset, and redefining work-life integration, Christina is committed to creating environments where people feel empowered to lead boldly and grow intentionally. Her journey reflects resilience, purpose, and a belief that leadership is about impact. How do you plan to make an impact?
Round Table Discussion Facilitators:
College Recruiter, Gallo
Marissa Mobley is a College Recruiter at GALLO Winery, connecting students and early-career talent with opportunities in the wine and spirits industry. With a background in sales leadership, she brings industry experience and a people-first approach to recruiting.
HR Analyst, County of Orange
Espie holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California State University, °µÍøÊÓÆµ, and a master’s degree in public administration from Brandman University (UMass Global). With over 17 years of experience in public sector HR and communications, she brings expertise in talent acquisition, workforce development, and strategic communications. Passionate about professional development and public service, Espie is dedicated to educating employees and prospective candidates about career opportunities within the County of Orange.
HR Administrator, County of Orange
Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from San Francisco State University and is SHRM-CP certified. She began her public sector career with the County of Orange over 25 years ago, where she’s served in several roles specializing in Human Resource Services, with a focus in recruitment strategy, process improvement, and executive talent acquisition. With deep expertise in HR policy, compliance, and talent acquisition, Melanie is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive hiring environment that supports an evolving workforce for the new generation of public sector employees.
Youth Program Specialist, °µÍøÊÓÆµ Economic Development & Opportunity, Workforce Development Youth Services
Kandi Gonzalez is a dedicated community advocate and youth development professional with over a decade of experience in the public sector. A proud graduate of California State University, °µÍøÊÓÆµ, Kandi earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a concentration in Community Health Education, building a strong foundation in health equity, prevention, and community-based empowerment.
As a former foster youth, Kandi brings both lived experience and professional expertise to their work, grounding their approach in empathy, resilience, and systems-level understanding. For the past 10 years, they have served in the public sector, supporting underserved communities and advancing equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Currently, Kandi serves as a Community Youth Specialist (Career Development Specialist), working with youth between the ages of 14 to 30 to support career exploration, workforce readiness, and long-term self-sufficiency. They are deeply committed to creating pathways that empower youth to recognize their strengths, navigate barriers, and achieve sustainable success.
Outside of their professional work, she is an avid reader who values lifelong learning and continuous personal growth.
°µÍøÊÓÆµ Public Service Corp Youth Liaison
Ebony Scott is a dedicated youth advocate and public service professional committed to advancing educational access and community empowerment. A graduate of California State University, °µÍøÊÓÆµ, Ebony earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, developing a strong foundation in social systems, equity, and community-based support. During their undergraduate program, Ebony was a Student Assistant for the Black Resource Center at CSULB, providing opportunities to students and building a sense of belonging.
Ebony is a former member of the second cohort of °µÍøÊÓÆµ Public Service Corps, where they gained hands-on public sector experience with the City of °µÍøÊÓÆµ's City Manager Department, working specifically on Homeless Initiatives. Throughout their Corps experience, they have deepened their commitment to civic engagement and workforce development.
Currently, Ebony serves as the Youth Liaison for the third cohort of °µÍøÊÓÆµ Public Service Corps, where they work closely with college students to foster academic persistence, career exploration, and personal development. With plans to pursue a Master of Social Work, she continues to expand their impact through education, advocacy, and service to the community.
Specialist, Career Ladder Programs, Division of Human Resources, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Laura E. Gutiérrez's 27-year journey with LAUSD—from elementary teacher to principal of dual language and math/technology magnet schools—reflects her commitment to equity and bilingual leadership. She now champions equitable career pathways, empowering future educators—especially women—to lead, serve, and transform their communities.
All students, regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, or any other protected identity, who are interested in the program’s mission and focus, are welcome and eligible to participate in all Women's & Gender Equity Center (WGEC) events and programs.