Make Connections that Count

Greek Alumni Spotlights

Kevin Patsel '85, Greek Interconnect 2026 Featured Speaker

Kevin Patsel ‘85 is a Sigma Chi alumnus and long-time real estate executive who currently serves as a Regional Manager for Compass. He leads operations, communications, and financial performance across Northern California and Nevada — a region encompassing nearly 50 offices, 200 staff members, and over 5,000 agents.

Upon reflecting on his journey, Kevin views his professional life in two distinct chapters: a couple decades in high-level public relations dealing with entertainment and tech accounts, followed by a transition into real estate after the dot-com bust. He says a shift in professions is not something to be afraid of, and wants students to remember that “you really don't know what's waiting for you out there...you kind of sift through life, honing in on what your strengths are and what you like to do." Naturally drawn towards leadership, Kevin served as President of Sigma Chi during his time at UCSB, with his experience in Greek Life carrying over into corporate management and helping him rise through the executive ranks at Compass.

Kevin returns to Greek Interconnect as this year’s keynote speaker, eager to offer perspective to students navigating career pressure and emphasizing that success comes from learning about yourself while trusting the process. Above all, he encourages undergraduates to lower their anxiety over every step and understand that although having a sense of urgency is good, you can’t let it take over your life.

Dana Skeels '13, Moderator and Greek Interconnect Founder

Dana Skeels ‘13 is an Alpha Chi Omega alumna who leads global B2B marketing campaigns and programs at Pinterest, where she connects current and prospective advertisers with Pinterest's advertising solutions. After graduating, Dana helped launch UCSB’s regional alumni network Olé San Francisco (now called Olé in the Bay), providing fun and engaging opportunities for alumni to connect through shared experiences. In 2016, she partnered with Leslie Klonoff to create the first UCSB Greek Interconnect, which she is proud to have seen outgrow its roots.

In her own words, Dana says that “what began as a way to re-engage alumni and support individual Greek chapters has grown into an annual event that has reached over a thousand students.” Dana also says her career has benefited from the relationships she formed through Alpha Chi Omega. From opening doors to interviews and job opportunities to providing mentors, advocates, and lifelong connections, Dana has experienced the value of an engaged alumni community. She maintains her passion and belief in the value of networking, acknowledging the old saying, ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know,’ still holds a lot of truth—“but you’ve gotta know a little something, too.”

Leslie (Solomon '80) Klonoff

Leslie (Solomon ‘80) Klonoff, an Alpha Phi alumna and retired co-founder of Cameron-Brooks recruiting and talent firm, has been instrumental in shaping Greek Interconnect from its earliest days.

Driven by a passion for creating meaningful, lifelong connections, Leslie helped pioneer the original “All Gaucho Reunion GreekFest” activities and partnered with fellow alumni to grow that concept into the university-wide professional network we know today as Greek Interconnect. When asked why she continues to give back, Leslie cited the responsibility that comes with a robust academic education, believing that alumni should “take their privilege of a strong education and use that to make the world a better place.” She believes the unique, lifelong commitment Greek members make to one another gives alumni a powerful opportunity to spark positive change, open doors, and support future generations. Leslie has put that belief into action as a leader on the UCSB Department of Communication Alumni Council, an active member of the Greek Interconnect Planning Committee, and a former UCSB Alumni Board member.

Through her leadership and championing of chapter-level career days and mentorship programs, she has helped thousands of Gauchos “Make Connections That Count” over the past decade. Ten years in, Leslie’s vision remains at the heart of Greek Interconnect: alumni helping students, students building their futures, and Gauchos continuing to show up for one another.

John Lofthus '00, M.Ed '02 

John Lofthus ‘00, M.Ed ‘02 is a Phi Gamma Delta alumnus and the Assistant Dean of Development for UCSB's Graduate Division, where he has spent the past two decades raising support for graduate and undergraduate students. Before Greek Interconnect became what it is today, John helped launch its predecessor, GreekFest, in 2012 to give Greek alumni a reason to return for All Gaucho Reunion. He went on to connect the organizers—including Leslie Klonoff and Dana Skeels— who then built on the momentum of GreekFest to form today's career-focused event that provides opportunities for mentorship between alumni and students.

Reflecting on why Greek Interconnect matters, John pointed to the gap that classroom learning by itself can leave behind: “If you don't have a network, that's a big hole." He believes that the event's real value lies in giving students exposure “to what’s really out there, what’s possible” from a variety of industries. With the tenth anniversary coming up, John looks forward to seeing how the event has grown over the years and finding ways to continue to expand alumni and student mentorship across Greek Life.

Austin Sutter '23

Austin Sutter ‘23 is a Delta Tau Delta alumnus who works as a civilian electronic warfare engineer at Edwards Air Force Base, a job he landed through a UCSB career fair. His path wasn't linear, as he started in economics, then switched to physics, and eventually transferred into mechanical engineering his third year.

Today, his work focuses on aircraft subsystems designed to detect and counter enemy threats, a role he says is uniquely challenging because it means designing systems to defend against threats that aren't fully known yet. The most rewarding part, he says, is the collaboration across military and civilian lines, working alongside pilots, flight test engineers, and program managers who are all pursuing the same cause and mission.In addition to gaining technical abilities, he credits UCSB with sharpening the interpersonal and communication skills he now relies on daily. He says Greek life helped him learn to “network and talk to a variety of people,” which now enables him to bridge gaps between engineers, aircrew, and leadership.

When asked what advice current students should keep in mind, Austin recommends building a tight-knit core group within your major, since those relationships carry into your industry long after graduation. He also pushes back on what he calls the "golden handcuffs" trap that is common in engineering, where high starting pay keeps people locked into roles or locations they'd otherwise leave. His take: settling for money can pigeonhole your future career, so don’t be afraid to pursue what you actually want to do.

  Greek Interconnect 2026 Planning Committee