The 4th Annual Gaucho Professionals Expo was a huge success! We brought alumni and students together for a three-day event featuring keynote speakers, industry/career/professional roundtables, networking activities, and plenty of opportunities for Gauchos to connect professionally. Thank you to our fantastic alumni leaders with Greek Interconnect, Black Alumni and Student Connect Weekend, Women in Business, Gauchos in Tech, and the Chican@/Latinx Alumni Network for generously giving back to UC Santa Barbara.
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Salary Negotiations
Learn how to effectively research your target salary, highlight your career experience, and find the right language to negotiate for better pay and benefits.
Gaucho Professionals Expo 2023
View Past Event Recordings
"Sitting with the Fear & the Gremlins that Hold Us Back"
Annalyn Cruz is an Executive & Leadership Coach, seasoned facilitator, and professional speaker. She has 20+ years of experience working in a variety of settings where she empowers women and/or BIPOC leaders to go after the career freedom they've dreamt of and the lives they truly crave. Annalyn is passionate about the intersections of one’s purpose, history, cultures, and identities. Her keynote speech focuses on sitting with the fear that may hold us back when making career shifts and pursuing leadership experiences, even when the outcomes are unknown...and how to pursue a more fulfilling and empowering path forward.
Professional Skill-Building
Learn about your post-grad options for success and how to get the most out of your degree.
Cindy Chineduh '01, works in Senior Product Management where she enhances product visibility and assists with driving penetration into new markets. She previously worked in a myriad of roles involving research, analysis, sales, marketing and business development. Notably, she is well versed in market intelligence and strategy. She earned a BA in Political Science from UCSB, a master’s degree in health administration from Chapman University and an MBA from Pepperdine University.
Dr. Eric Zackrison Ph.D.’17, is a teacher, trainer, and consultant focused on team building, leadership, and strategy. He is the president and CEO of IDI.US Inc., which controls the rights to the Interpersonal Dynamics Inventory (IDI), a powerful multi-rater personality and behavioral styles measurement tool. Eric also teaches for the Technology Management Program (TMP) at UCSB.
Jon Forterra ’07, has been working with the PaCE Program Management Team since 2019. Prior to that he worked in the renewable energy sector, specializing in Sales, Training and Project Management. Jon is thrilled to leverage his professional experience with PaCE where he oversees several Professional Development Programs that prepare students to work towards their professional goals.
Walter Boggan ’94, has had the unique experience of having leadership roles in both the sports industry and higher education. He is currently the Director of Admissions, Outreach and Diversity for the Graduate Division at UC Santa Barbara. In addition to this role, Walter holds the title of Executive Director of the Sports Industry Academy, a non-profit organization that prepares future sports industry leaders from underrepresented communities.
Meaningful Mentorship
Learn how to leverage the power of the Gaucho Network to find the opportunities you want and to make the most out of your career.
Dr. K.C. Mmeje '02, serves as Vice President for Student Affairs at Southern Methodist University. In his current role, Dr. Mmeje provides strategic leadership for areas that directly impact student success and sense of belonging on campus. He oversees the Office of the Dean of Students, Residence Life and Student Housing, Women and LGBT Center, the Hegi Family Career Development Center and campus ministries. He also leads health and wellness programs and offices.
Bryana Ryan ‘15, is an entrepreneur, expert marketer, and funnel expert. Bryana and her funnel expert team have helped several multi-million dollar businesses scale their services online in the past 3 years. She is currently the CEO of Bryana Ryan Consultancy one of the most innovative lead generation marketing firms, Founder of The Top Suite Lead Flow Systems, and is a proud member of the Partnerships & Development Team on the UCSB Communication Alumni Council.
Rick Goldberg '79, As CEO of Rick M. Goldberg & Associates, Rick is a jury and trial consultant focusing on high-risk and high-value commercial, insurance, white-collar criminal, and family litigation. When he is not conducting mock trials and focus groups around the country, he and his staff work with attorneys and general counsel in preparing their clients and witnesses to testify authentically and credibly in hearings, depositions, arbitrations, and at trial.
Jessica Chen '06, is a freelance choreographer and Artistic Director of J CHEN PROJECT, a non-profit modern dance company based in NYC. In 2013, she made a miraculous journey back to the stage after suffering a horrific car accident, which rendered her in a coma for 13 days after eight hours of brain surgery. Movement is her vehicle to tell stories, heal wounds, and better understand our human existence. Her work has been supported by LMCC, DanceNYC, Taiwan Ministry of Culture, Gibney Dance Center, and Jerome Foundation.
UC Alumni Career Network - Personal Financial Management
Join alumni from across the UC system in learning how to better manage your finances. This high-impact session will be led by Belva Anakwenze (’00, UCLA), Principal of Abacus Financial Business Management.
Belva Anakwenze UCLA ’00, is a California native and the proud Founder & Principal of Abacus Financial Business Management. Belva handles the financial affairs of entertainment professionals, creative corporate executives, and their closely-held businesses. This includes the facilitation and management of her clients’ accounting & bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and nonprofit agencies. As the middle child of three siblings, Belva learned early on how to stand out and be different; her clients appreciate her ingenuity and aptness for managing financial matters.
Self-Care in the Workplace
Hear and discuss tips to avoid burnout and optimize workplace satisfaction. Led by UCSB Health & Wellness Health Educator; Emily Teter, this event will end with a mindfulness meditation practice.
Emily Teter is a Health Educator for the Department of Health & Wellness at UCSB. One of her specialty areas is Mindfulness Meditation. She has completed two Mindfulness Meditation teacher training programs, one with The Center for Koru Mindfulness and one developed specifically for the Department of Health & Wellness. Emily is passionate about helping others discover their own innate ability to be mindful and aware while cultivating tools towards self-compassion and resiliency.
Learn more about Health & Wellness