Alumni Careers & Identity Conference Speakers

The UC Davis Alumni Careers & Identity Conference showcases an engaging lineup of sessions presented by a diverse group of individuals and organizations. Join us in welcoming the speakers for the 2025 conference:

Concurrent Sessions Round 1

Unlocking Authenticity: Three Steps to More Confidence, Balance, and Impact

Julie Nico Martin, B.S. Hydrology and B.A. Economics, 2002 
Julie is a professional coach and consultant with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit, philanthropic, academic, government, and corporate settings. Julie is a Certified Professional Coach and holds a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Stanford University, and bachelor’s degrees in hydrology and economics from UC Davis.
 

The Intentional You: Own Your Life + Career Without Losing Authenticity

Ricky Koo is a seasoned corporate executive, bold entrepreneur, and a passionate speaker and writer. He has a background in Psychology from UCLA and started his career as a CPA before becoming a finance leader at numerous Fortune 500 companies across banking, consulting, and technology industries. Further, he leveraged his experience as a minority finding his way to becoming an executive in the corporate world and ultimately built a successful business as a certified leadership & communication coach. As a coach, his unique style shines through as he blends science and real-world experiences to empower people to be more confident and seen in their life/careers, all while being their authentic selves.

Being First-Gen as a Superpower: How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Leverage Your Strengths for Career Success

Arianna Dela Rosa, M.Ed, is a Career and Empowerment Coach specializing in supporting first-generation and BIPOC professionals. A proud UC Davis alumna, Arianna earned her bachelor’s degree while actively advocating for marginalized students at the Student Recruitment and Retention Center. Her experiences there deeply shaped her approach to coaching, emphasizing empowerment, resilience, and authenticity. Today, Arianna helps clients overcome self-doubt and navigate workplace challenges by leveraging their unique strengths. Her work blends practical career strategies with personal growth, guiding individuals to thrive in both their careers and personal lives.

Empowered Leadership: Navigating Race, Identity, and Impact

Patricia Châu Nguyễn (she/her) is the Director of Systemwide Alumni Engagement & Diversity Initiatives at the University of California Office of the President. She is a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner with 20 years of experience creating inclusive spaces for sustainable engagement of marginalized communities through institutional climate change and collaborative community building in higher education. Patricia holds a Master of Education from the University of Vermont, a B.S. from UC Santa Barbara and a birth certificate from UC San Diego. 

Concurrent Sessions Round 2

Navigating Career Shifts: Mental Wellness and Strategic Roadmapping

Brea Aguas began her career in mental health after graduating from UC Davis with a double degree in Psychology and Communications. She earned a Master's in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco and worked as a Clinical Social Worker at UCSF's Department of Psychiatry. After transitioning into the legal field and obtaining her law degree and license to practice, Brea now works as Associate Legal Counsel on Adobe's Privacy Office and Cybersecurity Legal Team. 
 

First to Go to Tech: Forging the Path as a First-Generation Professional 

Caitlyn Valle is a Bay Area native and first-generation college graduate with a decade of experience in customer service and client success across industries like local government, tourism, and higher education. Known for her creative problem-solving and resourcefulness, she thrives in dynamic environments and enjoys building meaningful connections with others. A proud graduate of UC Davis, Caitlyn earned her degree in Communication with a minor in Sociology, which deepened her understanding of diverse perspectives and has shaped her professional approach. Outside of work, Caitlyn enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and exploring new cities whenever she gets the chance. She's passionate about supporting others and making a positive impact in everything she does.

Emily Mijangos (class of 2020) is a dedicated and results-driven professional currently serving as a Partner Services Analyst at Warner Bros. Discovery. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing communications and managing distribution business plans for Warner Bros., HBO, Turner, and Discovery content across all international licensing partners. Emily's career began with an internship at Webtoon Entertainment, where she contributed to bringing Korean content to newly launched markets in Latin America. She then transitioned into a Licensing Coordinator role at Jukin Media, where she was responsible for licensing user-generated content for clients in the advertising and production sectors. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, she continues to make impactful contributions to the media and entertainment industry while advancing her own professional growth.

Grace Lopez (UC Davis, class of 2020) is a proud first-generation Latina, born and raised in San Diego by a resilient single parent. Through hard work and determination, Grace earned a full-ride scholarship to UC Davis, where she fully embraced and maximized her undergraduate experience, both academically and personally. Throughout her career, Grace successfully coordinated and supported numerous projects, ensuring their timely completion while maintaining high standards of quality. Her experience includes overseeing project schedules, managing resources, and facilitating effective stakeholder communication. Grace is passionate about supporting students and young professionals and is actively seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills to align with future career aspirations.

Concurrent Sessions Round 3

How to Make Grit Your Superpower

Shayla Smith is the Chief Operating Officer of Lichter Grossman Nichols Feldman Rogal Shikora & Clark, a law firm known for its client roster of A-list stars. Shayla is a multi-dimensional C-Suite leader with years of experience in organizational management and strategic business planning. Prior to joining Lichter, Shayla served as the Director of Human Resources & Administration at Ziffren Brittenham, LLP, worked as the Director of Operations for wealth management firm Wornel Simpson, and held various leadership roles within Target Corporation. Shayla received her B.S. from the University of California, Davis, and actively serves in many non-profit organizations investing in programs that create a foundation for children to thrive.

Mindful Career Transitions: Leveraging Resilience and Self-Reflection for Personal Growth

John R. McCoy is the Executive Director of Alumni Relations at UCSF, where he leads efforts to engage alumni across the health science professions. A Bay Area native, John has a track record of conceptualizing and executing community engagement initiatives, previously overseeing alumni programs at UC Law SF and contributing to organizations such as Holy Names University, the American Cancer Society, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from UC Davis, an MBA from Holy Names University, and a master's degree in counseling psychology from The Wright Institute. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, reading, walking his two dogs (Henry and Amy), and staying engaged with current affairs.

Building Your Advisory Board as a Neurodivergent Professional

Star Ghanaat is a first-generation Biological Sciences graduate from UC Davis who has navigated a fascinating professional journey filled with loss and change. She has held diverse roles, from research assistant at the Baumler Lab to Community Lead at Collabful, and now works as an Events Specialist. Staying true to her roots, Star remains passionate about helping other neurodivergent professionals beat the odds and thrive professionally. In her free time, Star can be found biking, writing her next play, or volunteering for Palomacy, a local pigeon rescue.