Navigating Leadership Program NLP

Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team

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NLP Management LeadershipRebekah, Christensen*, ORA Systems, President, Co-Founder, NLP Chairperson

Keith Christensen, ORA Systems, Chief Operating Officer, Co-Founder, NLP Senior Management

NLP Facilitator LeadershipRhonda Basarich*, DGS Chief, Office of Fiscal Services, Facilitator: Team One – State of Innovation, Mantra: “Boundless”

Steve Kotani, APSEA Foundation Board of Directors, Co-Facilitator: Team One – State of Innovation

Alicia Wong*, CDT Chief, Enterprise Planning and Portfolio Management Branch, IT Services Division; APSEA President, Facilitator:

Team Two – Cloud Climbers, Mantra: “From a Different Perspective”

Richard Martin, ORA Systems Vice President, Facilitator: Team Three – Quantum Leap, Mantra: “To Infinity and Beyond”

Katherine Kishaba, DWR, Deputy Director of Business Operations, Facilitator, Team Four – Californivation, Mantra: “The Sky is the Limit”

James Waterman*, Google Regional Manager, SLED West, Google, Inc., Facilitator, Team Five – Agents of Creation through Fearless

Exploration, Mantra, “No Barriers”

Malinda Nguyen, BOE Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Health and Safety Section, Co-Facilitator, Team Five – Agents of Creation

through Fearless Exploration, Mantra, “No Barriers”

NLP Rapid Innovation TraineesRhonda Basarich*, DGS Chief, Office of Fiscal Services, Facilitator: Team One

Jana Boccalon, OIG Staff Services Manager I (Specialist), Team Two

Shivani Bose, CDT, Information Technology Project Analyst, Team Three

Tasha Brennan, DGS Staff Services Manager 1, OFAM, Team Four

Doug Brenning, DGS Branch Chief (A), RESD – CSB, Team Three

Candace Briggs, DGS Staff Facilities Manager I, RESD, Team Five

Kim Carriker, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, DSA, Team Three

Gonzalo Caseres, DGS Research Program Specialist II, RESD – PMOB, Team Two

Jason Casillas, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Administration, Team Four

Lucia Ceja, DIR Administration Manager, Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement, Team Five

Stephanie Chambers, DGS Staff Services Manager 1, Fiscal Services, Team Two

Jennifer Chappelle, DGS Program Manager, ORIM Administration, Team Five

Jill Clark, DGS Senior Real Estate Officer, RESD, Team One

Lourdes Coles, DIR Human Resources Manager, Team One

Jim Culbeaux, DIR Chief Information Officer, Team Two

RETURN TO TOC


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Joe DiGirolamo, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, RESD, Team Four

Anda Draghici, DGS Staff Services Manager II, Procurement, Team Four

Jennifer Duncan, DOR Staff Services Manager I, Staff Development Unit, Team Two

Melissa Eidson, CDFA Branch Chief, Departmental Services, Team Three

Corazon Espanol, EDD Voluntary Plan Administration Unit Manager, Team One

Charlie Galinato*, DGS Associate Engineer, Procurement, Team Three

Suzann Gostovich, OIG Assistant Inspector General, Team Five

Chris Hacker, OES Legislative & External Affairs Analyst, Office of Legislative Affairs, Team Five

Janice Henderson, OIG Senior Assistant Inspector General, Team One

Mario Hernandez, DGS Custodian Supervisor II, RESD, Team Two

Melissa Hicks, DIR Manager, Medical Review Unit, Division of Workers’ Compensation, Team One

Lyn Hooper*, DGS Senior Architect, NCARB, DASp, ADAC, Team One

Doug Hunting, OIG System Software Specialist, Team Four

Valerie Keisler, DGS Manager, Real Estate Services Division, Team One

Katherine Kishaba, DWR, Deputy Director of Business Operations, Facilitator: Team Four

Ron Koeppl, DGS Associate Governmental program Analyst, Executive Office, Team Three

Steve Kotani, APSEA Foundation Board of Directors, Co-Facilitator: Team One

Phillip Labra*, OES International Affairs Coordinator, Financial Accountability & Compliance, Team Four

Melanie Lusi,* OES Staff Services Analyst, Training and Exercise Division, Team Three

Sally Ly, CalPERS, Section Manager, Enterprise Compliance Division, Team Five

Jennifer Maestretti, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, OPSC, Team Five

Richard Martin, ORA Systems VP, Facilitator: Team Three

Katherine Minnich, CDCR Chief, Office of Personnel Services, Team Two

Zachary Mundy, DOR Staff Services Manager II, Program Manager Business Enterprise Program, Team One

Malinda Nguyen, BOE Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Health and Safety Section, Co-Facilitator: Team Five

Peggy Owens, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Administration, Team One

Viren Panikker, DGS Area Manager, RESD – CSB, Team Two

William Rodriguez, DGS Staff EDP Procurement Specialist, Team Five

Brinda Saini, DGS Project Director, RESD-PMOB, Team Two

Shannon Shackelford, DGS Staff Services Manager I, RESD – PMOB, Team One

Tracy Sharp, DGS Staff Services Manager I, OPSC, Team Three

* Please see bio at the end of this list


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Michael Siemering, DGS Project Director II, RESD, Team Three

Richard Standiford, DGS Project Manager II, RESD – PMOB, Team Four

Deanna Sykes, CDPH, Research Scientist Supervisor, Prevention Research & Evaluation Section, Team Four

Karen Trinh*, OES Staff Services Analyst, Office of Performance Management, Team Two

Kim Tsumura, DGS REO Specialist - Notary, RESD, Team Two

Denise Vargas, DIR Administration Manager, Division of Workers Compensation, Team Three

Esmer Velagic, DGS Senior Civil Engineer, RESD-PMDS, Team Five

Glenn Warner, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Administration, Team Five

James Waterman*, Google Regional Manager, SLED West, Google, Inc., Facilitator: Team Five

Tom Wells, DGS Supervising Architect, RESD-MDB, Team Five

Linda Whitney, OIG Senior Legal Analyst, Team Three

Paul Wilburn, DGS Supervising Mechanical Engineer, RESD – PMDB, Team Three

Alicia Wong*, CDT Chief, Enterprise Planning and Portfolio Management Branch, IT Services Division; APSEA President, Facilitator: Team Two

Lisa Yang, Treasury Analyst with the Office of the City Treasure, City of Sacramento, Team Two

Janice Yapdiangco, DIR Administration Manager, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Team Four

Yu Ying, DGS Associate Management Auditor, OFAM, Team Four

Kerry Zadel, DGS Senior Real Estate Officer, RESD – PMDB, Team Four

* Please see bio at the end of this list


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Rhonda L. Basarich, Chief, Office of Fiscal Services, Department of General Services

Rhonda’s swift progression in state service began in 1979 as a student assistant with the CSUS Library. In 1984 she

graduated from CSUS with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. From 1990-92, Rhonda was

part of a two-year management development program that included posts with the California Transportation

Commission, the Planning Division, and the Budget Office. In 2004, Rhonda took a long sabbatical to prepare for

her future retirement from state service. From 2005-2008, she attended Palmer West College of Chiropractic in

San Jose, California. In 2009, while still working for the State full time, Rhonda opened her part-time chiropractic

practice. In 2011 Rhonda began working at the Department of General Services. In 2013, she was promoted to

Chief of the Office of Fiscal Services (CEA) at DGS, a position she still holds.

Rebekah Christensen, Founder - CEO, ORA Systems, Chair, Navigating Leadership Program

The common denominator unifying my career is my penchant to unleash and accelerate human potential—its

creativity and innovation. In a digital world the playing field is leveled; all voices can now be heard and seen.

This requires each of us to stretch and become the best we can be from where we stand. As founder and CEO

of ORA Systems, I employ this strategy as current chair of the Navigating Leadership Program (NLP). Guiding the

partnership between the Asian Pacific State Employees Association (APSEA) and the USC Sol Price School of

Public Policy - Sacramento, the NLP is a national blueprint for systemic change management. It models a type

of collaboration capable of integrating personal, professional, and organizational development into a seamless

unified system.

By connecting “Who We Are” to our chosen path, e.g., “What We Do,” in real time, our approach mirrors the

inherent nature of our digital society. Our systems designs provide the framework to implement pioneering

approaches that focus on advancing the potential of our personal lives as well as organizations, communities and

the digital world, based upon the unique needs of all involved.

Since April 2015 I have been a member of an elite team that trains innovation and 10X thinking for the Google’s

Innovation Labs in Kern County, Alameda County, and San Joaquin County. As a leading-edge of support for

innovative technology, the opportunity to reinvent government’s benefit and service delivery to serve the

distinctive needs of constituents and communities inspires hope that the impossible is indeed possible!

As a systems integrator, my career path is testament to my lifelong focus on this important work. I have designed

systems that include lifecycle approaches to site cleanup and tech transfer for the Department of Energy

and Defense (DOE-DoD), guidance for the cultural integration of traditional Oriental medicine through the

World Health Organization’s International Classification of Traditional Medicine (ICTM) project, the design and

enactment of amending language to Mello-Roos to manage funding risk in multi-million dollar site cleanup, and

the design of a cooperative solution, with UCSB and CalPoly, that led to integrating competing economies to

collaboratively promote tourism on the central coast of California.

I hope my vision and clarity of purpose inspires others to reflect on who they are in context to the world

around them. But more importantly, our constantly evolving digital society levels the playing field for all of us

to challenge our leadership status quo—freeing us to innovate and break the boundaries of what’s possible in

our lives. I believe that success is the juncture where who you are and what you do become one, and, from that

moment forward, work isn’t a job—it’s a calling.


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Charlie Galinato, Associate Procurement Engineer, Department of General Services

Charlie Galinato has about 15 years working for the State of California as a Procurement Engineer at the

Department of General Services, Procurement Division. Prior to joining the State, he worked for a consultant

company providing project oversight on large CA IT projects. He also has over ten years working as a systems

engineer for the Department of Defense, USAF. He has a BS in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and was

previously certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Chris Hacker, Legislative & External Affairs Analyst, Office of Legislative and External Affairs

Chris currently works in the Cal OES Office of Legislative and External Affairs as an analyst. In this position, he is

responsible for the identification and dissemination of legislation that could impact the California Governor’s

Office of Emergency Services’ ability to achieve its mission. He is also responsible for preparing briefs for the

Director of Emergency Services on a variety of issues, and acts as an external affairs liaison to key public safety

stakeholders. During times of disaster, Chris serves as the Deputy Chief of the Logistics Section for the Blue

Incident Support Team. Prior to entering state service, Chris spent 12 years working in the private sector. Chris

received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies with a focus in Rhetorical Criticism and Public

Communication from California State University, Sacramento.

Lyn Hooper, NCARB, CASp, ADAC, Department of General Services

I am a licensed architect with more than 20 years’ experience in the fields of architecture, historic architecture,

and access compliance for both public and private owners. My professional experience includes a wide variety of

architectural building use and construction types.

I feel strongly that our state facilities should be accessible to all individuals. I am a Certified Access Specialist,

Certified ADA Coordinator and am assistant program lead and historic preservation liaison for a statewide DGS

access barrier removal program to increase accessibility in conformance with the ADA, while maintaining the

integrity of the state’s historic architecture.

I volunteer as the membership director for two non-profit organizations. As the Fly Fishers of Davis’ membership

chair, I work to raise funds and awareness for education, conservation and Casting for Recovery – a breast cancer

fly fishing retreat program. As an Oregon Club Northern California board member and membership director, I

work to raise funds for student athletic facilities, programs and scholarships for my alma mater.

Phillip J. Labra, International Affairs Coordinator, Financial Accountability & Compliance

Phillip joined the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) at the end of 2012. Prior to state

service, Phillip has held various positions in the private sector for 10 years. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in

Economics with a concentration in Environmental Studies from the California State University, Sacramento. Phillip

currently assists in international affairs such as the coordination and facilitation of international delegations

visits, development of binational agreements, and other special projects. In addition, Phillip continues to provide

executive support to the Governor’s Drought Task Force. During times of disaster, Phillip serves as the Situational

Status Analyst of the Planning & Intel Section for the Blue Operational Readiness Team.


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Gary M. Lee, Chief of Learning and Development, DGS University, Office of Human Resources,

CA Department of General Services

Gary is the visionary who, after a two-year absence, re-established in April 2012 one of the most robust

professional development programs and learning cultures in California state government for the

Department of General Services. In its brief four-plus years of existence, DGS University’s business model

has offered 550 classes, processed 17,500 student registrations and provided 90,000 hours of instruction

for the department’s 3,000-plus statewide employees.

Gary is an innovative and results-driven leader focused on achieving exceptional results in resource-

challenged environments that demand continuous improvement. He is experienced in driving program

delivery teamed with process and customer service improvements, while building partnerships with

decision-makers and pursuing enterprise concepts to achieve operational efficiencies and performance

optimization. He forms and motivates cross functional teams that consistently increase accountability

and performance, reduce operating costs, and improve product quality and services.

With over 36 years of public service, Gary’s extensive knowledge and skills in public administration; his

wealth of analytical and management experience in enterprise operations; and his commitment to best

practices and benchmarking allow him to create a well-defined organizational vision for adult learning

and development. Gary graduated from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and is an activist and

volunteer for several community and school organizations.

Melanie Lusi, Staff Services Analyst, Training and Exercise Division, CalOES

Melanie attended Colorado Christian University (CCU) where she played softball and earned her

Bachelor’s degree in Social Science. Upon her graduation, she remained in Denver and worked as a job

coach for adults with access and functional needs and an assistant softball coach for CCU. After returning

to California in 2014, Melanie started her state career at Cal OES as a limited-term Staff Services Analyst in

the Office of Tribal Coordination. She has recently accepted a permanent position with the Training and

Exercise division.


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Richard Martin, Vice President of Operations ORA Systems

“Model the Way” is the personal and professional creed that has motivated me in my ongoing support of

family, friends, peers, and colleagues—not just during times of need but more importantly as they strive

to fulfill and maximize their potential by realizing their dreams and aspirations. My leadership style is to

place people in positions so they can prosper as I work to foster their success. I strive to function with

great tenacity as well as diligence and a sense of resourcefulness—these are the basis of my personal

and professional accomplishments. In my role as ORA Systems vice president of operations, I am working

to help construct and operationalize new systems and processes so individuals can thrive. I intend

that my passion to better the world is embedded into each and every ORA Systems idea, project, and

program. This is my primary motivator to create new systems that allow public and private programs to

significantly enhance and coordinate the services they provide to their customers and the people who

serve their organizations. My career has focused on my desire to create “something out of nothing” in

the form of new programs that change and improve the world. Examples include leading the design

and implementation for changes in the way inmates request and receive healthcare services within the

California prison systems for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; development

and implementation of a new health insurance premium payment program that allowed thousands

of California residents living with HIV/AIDS to acquire and maintain health insurance for the California

Department of Public Health (CDPH); and design of a new program that will provide management and

leadership mentoring services to key personnel for CDPH. “I define leadership as the ability to motivate

others to do something because they want to do it!”

Karen Trinh, Staff Services Analyst, Office of Performance Management, CalOES

Karen has been working for Cal OES since 2014. Currently, she works as a Staff Services Analyst in the

Office of Performance Management where she tracks each directorate’s SMART objectives and ensures

they align with the department’s mission, vision, values, and goals. When she’s not tracking SMART

objectives, Karen participates in various Idea Ambassador Corps project charters that help shape Cal OES

into a happier workplace for all. Outside of work, Karen’s hobbies include photography and blogging.

During times of disaster, Karen serves as the Situational Status Analyst of the Planning & Intel

Section for the Blue Operational Readiness Team.


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Alicia Wong, Chief, Enterprise Planning and Portfolio Management Branch

IT Services Division, California Department of Technology; President, APSEA

Alicia Wong’s eighteen year civil service career includes work in the fields of program management, policy

development, strategic planning, and business process improvement. She currently oversees statewide

information technology (IT) policy implementation and communication activities for the California Department

of Technology’s State Technology Approval Reform (STAR) Project. She also serves as the primary contact point to

ensure consistent, timely and quality communications to Department of Technology stakeholders throughout all

phases of the STAR project, including delivery of presentations to the Legislature, agencies and departments, and

public events to generate interest and awareness of the STAR Project and its statewide impact.

Alicia serves on the Government Operations Agency’s Civil Service Improvement initiative charged to reform

the state’s current civil service system, which Governor Brown described as a complicated, inflexible, and highly

bureaucratic set of rules. Her work on this initiative includes formulation of recommendations concerning

performance management and strategic planning for the State of California.

Alicia previously managed communications activities for the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal)

and served as a manager overseeing administrative and business programs for both the Department of Motor

Vehicles and the Department of Water Resources.

As APSEA’s first vice president, Alicia has been an active member of the organization for the last several years. She

established APSEA’s first career development program, in which monthly upward mobility workshops, hosted

by government executives and managers, focus on information and advice on how to successfully strategize

professional goals and aspirations.

James Waterman, Regional Manager, State Local and Education, Google for Work

James Waterman, West Region manager for Google’s state, local, and education markets, is a leading proponent

for the adoption of technology as a means by which to educate, integrate, and enable work communities.

With an IT career spanning 28 years, Mr. Waterman has been an agent for change and an advocate for public/

private collaboration in the process to solve far-reaching and difficult problems. He has helped advance

California procurement initiatives, including the development of the State Store, CMAS, M/W/DVBE, MSA and SLP

procurement programs.

Notable stops in Mr. Waterman’s career include Unisys, Microsoft, HP, and now Google. While at Unisys, he was

a recognized leader in the post 9/11 programs targeted at securing the nation’s infrastructure. His solution and

financial models were key components of Unisys’ billion dollar airport security contract with the TSA.

Mr. Waterman has spent the past decade at Microsoft and HP advancing legacy system modernization, mission-

critical computing, “bid data,” analytics, cloud and “OpenStack” solutions. At Google, Mr. Waterman’s goal is to

“make the impossible possible” for the State of California by leveraging Google’s 10X thinking and innovative

advancements to solve long-standing challenges. Throughout 2015, Waterman has led the pioneering Google

Innovation Labs for Kern, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties.


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NLP Intrapreneurs’ Boot Camp 2016 Series – Class Picture

Back Row: (L-R) – Rhonda Basarich, DGS; Jill Clark, DGS; Jason Casillas, DGS; Phillip Labra, OES; Chris Hacker, OES; Karen Trinh, OES;

Melanie Lusi, OES; Cora Espanol, EDD; Ying Yu, DGS; Viren Panikker, DGS; Lucia Ceja, DIR; Linda Whitney, OES; Shivani Bose, CTD;

Alicia Wong, CTD, Rebekah Christensen, ORA Systems. Center Row: (L-R) – Charlie Galinato, DGS; Valerie Keisler, DGS, Tracy Sharp,

DGS; Joe DiGirolamo, DGS, Jennifer Maestretti, DGS; Candace Briggs, DGS; Kim Tsumura, DGS; Richard Standiford, DGS; Jim Culbeaux,

DIR; Kathie Kishaba, DWR, Doug Hunting, OIG; Kim Karriker, DGS. Front Row: (L-R) – Lyn Hooper, DGS; Paul Wilburn, DGS; William

Rodriguez, DGS; Malinda Nguyen, BOE; James Waterman, Google; Peggy Owens, DGS; Jennifer Duncan, DOR; Stephanie Chambers,

DGS; Richard Martin, ORA Systems; Doug Brenning, DGS; Mario Hernandez, DGS; Keith Christensen, ORA Systems.


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NLP PROGRAM CHAIRS and CO-CHAIRS

NLP Program Chair, Rebekah Christensen, Founder-CEO, ORA Systems, Inc.;

Communications Chair - Board Member, APSEA Board of Directors – 2012-2016

NLP Program Co-Chair, Paul Danczyk,

Director of Executive Education, Sol Price School of Public Policy - Sacramento Campus; Co-Chair, NLP

Host Committee Co-Chair, Alicia Wong, Policy and Communications Manager,

California Department of Technology; 1st Vice President, APSEA Board of Directors*

HOST SPONSOR

State of California - Department of General Services

707 Third St., West Sacramento, CA 95605

NLP HOST COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Rhonda E. Basarich, Chief, Office of Fiscal Services, Department of General Services (DGS)

Shivani Bose, Information Technology Project Analyst, California Department of Technology

Guy Burghgraef, Manager, Statewide Learning and Performance Management, Cal-HR

Keith Christensen, Business Tax Administrator, Board of Equalization*

Dean Lan, (Retired) – Deputy Director, California Department of Health Care Service;

State of California; Senior Advisor, APSEA

Richard Martin, Vice President, ORA Systems, Inc.*

Linda Ng, Chief, Financial Analysis and Risk Management, Department of Water Resources,

President Asian Pacific State Employees Association

Jeff Uyeda, President, Uyeda and Associates, (Rtd) Executive Partner, FI$CAL,

APSEA Board of Directors, President Emeritus, President, Uyeda & Associates

James Waterman, Regional Manager, SLED West, Google, Inc.*

Terri Xavier, (Retired), Human Resources Manager, Department of Conservation (DOC),

State of California; Chair, NLP Accessibility

Lisa Yang, Treasury Analyst with the Office of the City Treasurer

*Rapid Innovation Team Leads

Leadership, Host Committee, DGS Host & Host Committee


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OUR SPONSORS

YOUR 2016 NLP TRAINING COLLABORATORS – AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS, NGO’S

NLP 2016 Series Sponsors

Documents

Navigating Leadership Program NLP