Alumni Spotlights

Of all the Hollywood clichés, perhaps the oldest is “What I really want to do is direct.” You hear it from actors, writers, cinematographers, even interns in the mailroom. Andy Jurgensen ’04 is a notable exception. The 43-year-old UC Santa Barbara alum finds deep satisfaction in a different role, one he finds intellectually stimulating and creatively fulfilling: film editor.

Shavonne Wieder '03 works at Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, where she oversees marketing strategies and audience engagement for major film releases. She earned her B.A. in Film Studies from UC Santa Barbara, where her passion for storytelling and understanding diverse perspectives shaped her approach to creativity and collaboration. After graduating, she began her career in the mail room at DreamWorks, eventually working at Paramount and Universal, gaining a deep understanding of how studios operate and the intersection of the creative and business sides of film. A proud member of the UCSB Alumni Board of Directors, she uses her professional expertise to support the Alumni Association’s mission and share insights with future students. She emphasizes the importance of being your own advocate, turning “no” into a “yes,” and building meaningful professional and personal networks.

Felix graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2009 with a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a certificate from the Technology Management Program in Entrepreneurship. Originally from Germany, he earned his Diploma in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology from RWTH Aachen University before moving to Santa Barbara for graduate school. Following his time at UCSB, Felix began his career at Transphorm Inc., a UCSB-based semiconductor startup spun out from the university. He later joined McKinsey & Company, where he spent several years advising private equity firms and Fortune 500 companies on acquisitions, mergers, operations, and corporate strategy. Felix is currently a Partner at Actionist Consulting in Los Angeles, where he leads the firm’s Institutional Investors practice and co-leads its investment banking subsidiary, working with C-suite executives and investment leaders to solve complex strategic challenges. Felix lives in Simi Valley, California, and remains committed to fostering a strong and connected Gaucho alumni community.

Jacqueline Wilson is a communications professional with deep expertise in strategic planning, client relations, and integrated marketing. Originally a math major at UCSB, Jacqueline discovered her passion for Communications early in her college journey, ultimately paving the way for a successful career in public relations and agency leadership. While at UCSB, Jacqueline was actively involved in Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and participated in the UCDC program in Washington, D.C., where she interned at a PR agency—a defining experience that launched her into the communications field. Today, Jacqueline is a Partner at Stratacomm, a national communications agency, where she leads strategic client work, guides internal operations, and helps shape the company’s vision. She continues to stay connected to UCSB through her ADPi sisters and the lifelong friendships forged during her time as a Gaucho.

We're proud to highlight a Gaucho Alum, novelist and recent Emmy Nominee JD Slajchert! He was a part of the Men's Basketball team during his time at UCSB from 2014 to 2018 and the story of him and his biggest fan is continuing to change lives. While competing in high school, JD befriended a young boy with Sickle Cell Disease named Luc Bodden, and when JD committed to continue his career collegiately at UCSB, Luc vowed to never miss a single game of his in The Thunderdome. Luc passed away in the middle of JD's career at Santa Barbara, but following this loss, JD then decided to dedicate himself to preserving their unique bond in the form of a book. Following JD's graduation in 2018, he went on to publish his debut novel, MoonFlower, that same year—a story inspired by his relationship with his biggest fan. JD would go on to become a prominent advocate for Sickle Cell Disease, speaking to groups and organizations across the country, and recently a feature story was organized by Spectrum News 1 in order to highlight JD's career from athlete to author. This June that story was awarded an Emmy Nomination for Sports Feature of the Year, and JD and the Bodden family are hoping to win the award on July 26th in Luc's honor. Today, you can find JD helping run a nonprofit alongside the Bodden family named after Luc called "The LucStrong Foundation," which supports families with children that are diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease, writing different projects in both the book and TV world, or giving motivational speeches and talks to a wide-range of people around the world. He is also scheduled to be giving a TEDx Talk this upcoming fall. To learn more about JD and to watch the Emmy Nominated feature, please visit his website www.jdwritesbooks.com.

Nadia M. Bauta is the founder of TecnoLatinx XR Lab, a pioneering organization that empowers underserved communities through technology, civic engagement and education. Her journey began at UC Santa Barbara, where she earned a degree in Law and Society, driven by her passion for social justice and the law as a tool to create lasting change. After graduation, she attended law school and later worked in various roles focused on civil rights, tech startups and intellectual property, gaining valuable experience that would later shape the mission of her own company. The idea for TecnoLatinx XR Lab emerged after Nadia recognized the gap in access to cutting- edge tech education for various communities. Inspired by her own experiences and the power of technology to change perspectives, she set out to bridge the digital divide. Today, Nadia’s work ensures a more inclusive future in technology.