For 32 years United Way of Central Eastern California has hosted a professional development conference for members and directors of nonprofit organizations and waymakers.
This year, United Way of Central Eastern California will host its 33rd Annual Professional Development Conference for a wider audience in need to include community and health-based organizations, along with city elect officials and those individuals who want to make a positive impact where they live.
The conference allows individuals to network and share plans and collaborate to better serve the community.
This year’s conference will be centered around Public Health. As our communities continue to face unprecedented challenges, the importance of public health has become more evident than ever. Throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, workshops, and panels led by experts in the field of public health.
Carolyn Jeanie Hill
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER, PUBLIC SPEAKER,
OWNER OF CJ EVENT PLANNING, AND ACTIVIST
Jeanie Hill is an accomplished writer, public speaker, owner of CJ Enterprises Event Planning, and community activist. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, minoring in Business Administration from Cal State University Bakersfield in 2002.
Featured in a book authored By Dr. William Haynes entitled, “African American Women Trailblazers; A Celebration of Africa’s Gift to Kern County,”Jeanie’s life’s story is revealed in a snapshot of many “firsts” as an African American female in Kern County navigating and breaking through barriers to pave the way for others. These firsts include the First African American “Miss Kern County” 1970; First African American female Operations Manager, Bank of America 1985; First African American female Branch Manager, Bank of America 1994; First African American female Executive in the Public Transportation System-Bakersfield, Director of Human Resources in 2000 and first female Trustee at the St. John Missionary Baptist church since 2020.
Her community activism and philanthropic efforts have spanned over 40 years, including serving on the Boards of the African American Network, Boys and Girls Club, the Michael Stewart Foundation, No Sister Left Behind, and the Professional Women’s Network of Kern County.
Other current civic, cultural, professional and community alliances include membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated-Kappa Omega Omega Chapter, The Links International-Bakersfield Chapter and Bakersfield Museum of Arts.
Jeanie’s extraordinary accomplishments have been honored through these awards: the Woman Trailblazer Award-Bakersfield Black Magazine 2023, Trailblazer in Our Community- Aera Black Employee Network 2022, First African American HR Director, GET-Bakersfield Black Chamber of Commerce 2022 and the Unsung Hero’s Award-Black Chamber of Commerce 2012.
While Jeanie’s accomplishments are too numerable to count, the most important accomplishment she treasures is her family — her loving husband of 50 years, two incredible sons, and five amazing grandchildren.
Jessica Grimes, PhD, was appointed by Governor Newsom as the Executive Director of the California Employment Training Panel (ETP) in November 2023. ETP is a department within the Labor Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) that supports and partners with businesses to create and retain jobs through employment training. Since its establishment in the early eighties, ETP has advanced its mission by investing over $1.5 billion into 96,000 businesses to train and retain 1.5 million workers in the state of California.
Prior to her appointment, she served as the Regional Chair of the Central Valley Mother Lode Regional Consortium (CVML) and as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Career Education and Workforce Development at the Kern Community College District. Instrumental in strengthening and developing intersegmental partnerships among industry, K12 Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Workforce Development Agencies, and community-based organizations, Dr. Grimes oversaw the Strong Workforce and the K12 Strong Workforce Programs, a career education grant that serves community college students from diverse backgrounds Additionally, she co-led the Kern Coalition, a five-entity partnership that functioned as the regional convener for California Jobs First, formerly CERF, to advance inclusive, economic development in Kern County.
Grimes prioritizes sustainable and equitable, economic and workforce development in her leadership roles. She is deeply committed to promoting opportunities for all to address the needs of diverse communities. Years of lived experience and ongoing connections to disinvested families and communities inspire her to be a driver for tangible, social change. Grimes invests significant time in building up her community, serving on the boards of United Way of Central Eastern California, Adventist Health of Kern County, Kegley Institute of Ethics (CSUB), and is a member of California State University of Bakersfield’s President’s Community Ambassadors. She resides in Bakersfield, CA with her husband, Traco Matthews, of over 20 years
Dr. Jessica Grimes
Executive Director of
Employment Training Panel (ETP)
Susan Saelee
Blue Zones Project’s Impact on Public Health
Susan Saelee received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. Her purpose and passion have been to help children in communities thrive. This led to working for the Kern County Department of Child Support Services for the past 15 years in various roles, including case management, data analytics, human resources and program management. Her time there is where she discovered her joy of leading and mentoring people and teams, which she has been doing so for the past 6 years. Susan is excited to be part of Blue Zones Project Bakersfield because she gets to participate in bringing evidence-based concepts and practices for healthier outcomes to a community that she grew up in. She is eager to see opportunities for people in Bakersfield to have healthier choices that will prolong their lifespan so they can spend more time loving and living. Susan’s purpose and passions outside of work are her husband, Joe, and their two daughters, Mia and Liana – they spend every opportunity creating memories and not wasting a minute. As a working mother, Susan personally understands the struggle when it comes to making healthier choices that benefit her well-being and that of her family. She is all in to bringing an initiative to her community that helps all to live longer, better!
Sam Peña is a visionary leader with over 20 years of unparalleled experience in the food manufacturing industry. With a profound understanding of food manufacturing processes, he has consistently displayed exemplary leadership skills, driving teams toward success and delivering exceptional results. Sam is a seasoned professional, he holds a prestigious John Maxwell Certification, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt since 2016. With his Six Sigma expertise, Sam has consistently demonstrated his ability to identify areas for improvement and implement effective strategies that drive business results. Throughout his career, Sam has been a catalyst for change and growth within the food manufacturing industry. His commitment to excellence and his relentless pursuit of innovation have earned him a reputation as an industry leader. Sam‘s ability to navigate complex challenges and find sustainable solutions is unparalleled. Outside of his professional accomplishments, Sam is known for his infectious enthusiasm and genuine care for others.
Sam Peña
Mind Shift Intelligence
Dr. Arlene Taylor
Can Your Brain Change?
Arlene R. Taylor PhD, a leading speaker on brain function, is sometimes referred to as the brain guru. She specializes in simplifying this complex topic, with the goal of helping individuals understand more about the brain in general and their own in particular. She delights in helping others learn how to thrive by design. Whether through live presentations, television and radio, CDs and DVDs, or through her internationally published books and articles, success stories pour in from the four corners of the world. As a sought-after charismatic speaker who presents practical brain-function information in entertaining, educational, and empowering ways, her illuminating seminars are life-changing. Taylor has spoken to thousands of attendees around the world and is frequently invited back—perhaps the biggest compliment a speaker can receive. Dr. Taylor is founder and president of Realizations Inc, a nonprofit corporation that engages in brain-function research and provides related educational resources. Her website is a source of valuable brain-function information.
Background is in media, marketing, and management for more than 30+ years in 7 Hispanic media markets including LA, Dallas and Houston as Director of Sales for radio and television. Today, Daisy lives here working for Lotus Bakersfield Corp as General Manager for four radio stations. She is also a partner at California Ortiz & 2 Media who owns two Spanish stations in Salinas. Hiring, training and mentoring teams is a core strength. It includes having hired over 200 media professionals and mentored and promoted more than 30 of them into managers. Paying it forward to others fulfills the passion she has for the media industry and her community. Her focus in Bakersfield is to continue mentoring staff and creating unique community media platforms for local businesses and non-profit organizations. She is focused in honoring those who serve this community, as well as creating annual cultural and resource events.
Steve Flores, Danny Hill, and Alfonso Sierra will be panelists for this Media Panel Workshop.
Daisy Ortiz
Media Panel Moderator
Lisa Kerr
Enhancing Public Health: Data-Driven Strategies for Grant Writing and Advocacy
Lisa Kerr is an advocate for women’s rights, the environment and a community development leader who has raised millions of dollars for California’s Central Valley region. She is the founder and owner of Grants for Good, a 100% woman-owned nonprofit consulting firm that helps people build social programs that do good by focusing on the value of ethics and transparency. Lisa is the author of the multi award-winning nature children’s book Wake, Sleepy One, an advocate for teachers, librarians and students, and an environmental steward working throughout California and beyond. For more information, visit Lisa at www.lisakerrbooks.com and www.grantsforgood.me.
Traco Matthews is the Chief Health Equity Officer (CHEO) for Kern Health Systems (KHS). Working with the Executive team, he provides leadership in the design and implementation of KHS’s business strategies, stakeholder relationships, and community programs to ensure health equity is prioritized and addressed. Traco brings extensive leadership skills, a strong vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and deep community connections to this critical position in Kern County’s local Medi-Cal managed care organization. Traco continually seeks to improve culture, processes, and outcomes through his work at KHS and in the community. He uses his experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to contribute human-centered strategic analysis, effective leadership development, and expertise in building trust with Kern Family Health Care members and other important stakeholders including providers and community partners. The passion that drives Traco in his work at Kern Heath Systems also shapes his commitment to the community in his personal life. He teaches business courses at California State University, Bakersfield, provides mentoring for leaders on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and serves as a local pastor and community advocate. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 2001, and from California State University, Bakersfield, with an M.B.A. in 2017. He is happily married to his wife of over 20 years, Dr. Jessica Grimes, a community college district administrator. Bakersfield, CA serves as the home base for their frequent travels and life adventures.
Traco Matthews
Thinking Equity in Public Health
Glenda Woolfolk
Medical Gaslighting and How We Can Minimize its Effect
Glenda Woolfolk moved to Bakersfield from Omaha, Nebraska in 1964 with her mother and sister. From 1984 to 1996, Glenda pursued her passion as a licensed cosmetologist, owning and operating Classique Hair Salon. In June 1996, Glenda embarked on a new career path with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) as a Correctional Officer. Over the course of a decade, she demonstrated dedication and professionalism, leading to her promotion as a Correctional Counselor. Glenda’s expertise and commitment were recognized when she served as the Sexually Violent Predator Counselor for five years. During her tenure with CDCR, Glenda actively pursued opportunities for personal and professional growth. She became certified as a Teachers for Training (T4T) instructor, enabling her to teach custody and non-custody staff mandatory courses required for continued employment. Additionally, Glenda obtained a certificate in teaching Conflict Management and was a valued member of the institution’s Negotiation Management Team. Her dedication led to her attendance at Use of Force training in Sacramento, and she was entrusted with the responsibility of updating a section of the Use of Force policy in the Departmental Operations Manual. Glenda retired from CDCR in March 2016. Since 2013, Glenda has owned and operated Vi Dora Exclusive Hair Extensions LLC. In 2019, she established the nonprofit organization No Sister Left Behind to address the disparities faced by Black women across seven crucial aspects of their well-being: social, mental, emotional, physical, financial, career, and community. Through her organization, Glenda provides programs, resources, and education to empower and encourage women to thrive. At the age of 64, Glenda made the decision to return to college and complete her studies that she had started back in 1974. She graduated in 2024, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. In addition to her academic pursuits, Glenda finds joy in singing, camping, and actively serving her community.
Jay Tamsi is the President/CEO of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC) and KCHCC Business Education Foundation (which he founded in 2002), California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) Executive Board Member, CHCC Chairman for the Central Region, and the Chairman for the 2024 – 45th annual CHCC Statewide Convention August 21-23 to be hosted for its first time in Bakersfield, California. He is also the owner of Tamsi Consulting Services, a small business that caters to strategic marketing and event planning locally. Through the KCHCC, he is responsible for building up membership, assuming leadership roles, boosting the local business economy by developing and implementing entrepreneur and small business technical training programs, supporting business and policy advocacy, and serving as a champion for our community of Kern. Tamsi continues to reach new successful milestones for the KCHCC while advocating for small businesses through the SBA and Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Over the years, Tamsi has grown a large network of business and community leaders while working in the private, non-profit, and civic sectors.
Jay Tamsi
New Heights | Taking Your Organization to the Next Level
Embracing You, Achieving Harmony in this Busy World
Gabriel Adame
New Heights | Taking Your Organization to the Next Level
Gabriel Adame is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and educational equity. As the Executive Director of the Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation, he is committed to creating opportunities for young people to thrive and become leaders in their communities. With a background in the nonprofit sector, Gabriel brings a wealth of experience to his role. Prior to joining Youth 2 Leaders, Gabriel served in various leadership positions within the Kern County Community. Under Gabriel’s leadership, Youth 2 Leaders looks to expand its reach and impact, providing innovative programs and resources to support underserved youth in their academic and personal growth. Through mentorship, leadership training, and college readiness initiatives, the foundation empowers young people to realize their full potential and become change-makers in their schools and neighborhoods. He serves on several advisory boards and committees dedicated to advancing opportunities for marginalized communities. Gabriel’s dedication to youth empowerment and educational excellence is driven by his belief in the transformative power of education to create a more just and equitable society. Through his leadership at Youth 2 Leaders, he continues to inspire and uplift the next generation of leaders, ensuring that all young people have the support and resources they need to succeed.
LaShaka Pleasant-Davis is a woman of God, a loving wife and mother of 2 amazing sons. She has a genuine love for people, especially the youth of Kern County. Being faced with the loss of her only sister to a rare cancer in 2009 and her father to a heart attack in 2011. Having over 25 years in the medical field, she knew the importance of having the best health benefits. LaShaka made a solemn vow to impart the vital lesson learned: the significance of having one’s financial affairs in order. She became the owner and CEO of Pleasant Financial Services. She is committed to educating the youth, business owners and families with the financial wisdom to conquer the overwhelming burden and stress that is caused by procrastination and lack of planning. She continues to share financial literacy as beacon of hope. She and her team are on a mission to provide the youth and individuals with the opportunity to build generational wealth and guidance needed to change their lives financially forever. LaShaka sat as an Executive Board Delegate for Kern Hospital Authority and a board member of Mothers Against Gang Violence. In 2020, during the pandemic, LaShaka and Shalanda Davis-Layton founded Charmed and Chosen Inc. Charmed & Chosen is a 501C3 non-profit structured to empower multi-cultural youth and young adults with the tools needed to navigate the challenges that they face in the real world. They’re two mothers extremely passionate about bridging the intergenerational gap to ensure that families are empowered mentally, emotionally and financially. Their mission is to catch the youth before they fail and fall by educating them with the life skills needed to thrive. Their dream of providing a place for the youth of Kern County became a reality in March of 2024 with the Historical grand opening of the Charmed & Chosen’s Youth Empowerment Center. This is a place that welcomes all youth providing a transparent and non-judgmental space where they can thrive in every area of their lives. Recently, Charmed & Chosen was selected by Dignity Health for the Building a Better Bakersfield Promotional grant. They were also recipients of the Womens and Girls Fund and nominated for the Beautiful Bakersfield Non-Profit of the Year. Charmed and Chosen believes that We are Stronger Together and With Unity in the Community, Together WE WIN!
LaShaka Pleasant-Davis
New Heights | Taking Your Organization to the Next Level
Kevin Burton
New Heights | Taking Your Organization to the Next Level
Kevin Burton, Administrator of Client Relations and Governmental/Public Affairs. Moved to Bakersfield: 1985. North High School: 1989. Bakersfield College Fire Science: 1991. Bakersfield City Reserve Firefighter: 1991-2009. Kern County Paramedic: 1994-1997. Married to Christa Burton: 1993 now 31 years. Two beautiful daughters: Averi Burton, 27 works for the District Attorney’s Office, Alyssa Burton, 25 works for a major local company in HR. PR/Marketing Director Hall Ambulance: 1997-2000. American Heart Association Board: 1997-2008. Volunteers of Kern County Board: 1999-2006. Help run Harvey Hall Mayoral Campaign with Gene Tackett March: 2000. Appointed to the founding Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Board by then Bakersfield City Council Member David Couch: 2000. Accepted a position of Director Marketing/PR with Law Offices of Young Wooldridge November: 2000-1010. Elected Fruitvale Board of Trustees: 2002-2010. San Joaquin Community Hospital Foundation: Founding member: 2007-2010. San Joaquin Community Hospital/Grossman Burn Center Campaign Co-Chair: 2009. Congressional Recognition from Congressman Kevin McCarthy for Chairman of the Downtown Business Association: 2008. Accepted a position as the first President of San Joaquin Community Hospital Foundation: 2010-2017. Started a major capital campaign to raise several million dollars for a state-of-the-art cancer center: AIS Cancer Center Today. Wisconsin School of Business/Association of Philanthropy Program: 2010-2016. KHSD Career C-Tec Fire Fighting Advisory Committee: 2011-Present. KernTax Board: 2010-Present. Accepted a position with Klein DeNatale Goldner as Chief Business Officer: 2017-Present. KernTax Chairman: 2020-2023. Bakersfield West Rotary Stroope Family Foundation: 2019-Present (President 2020-2024). CAPK Foundation Board/Chair: 2020-Present. KCHCC Business and Education Foundation Board Member: 2021-Present. Bakersfield ARC Foundation Board: 2022-Present. Bakersfield City Fire Commissioner: 2024-Present
Odessa Perkins is a remarkable individual who has overcome immense adversity to become a beacon of hope and empowerment for others. As a survivor of human trafficking, Odessa has used her experiences to drive positive change and inspire others to find their own strength. Her journey from victim to advocate, author, business owner, and educator has been nothing short of extraordinary. Having emerged from the shadows of exploitation, Odessa channeled her resilience into becoming a leading voice in the fight against human trafficking. Her unwavering commitment to raising awareness and supporting survivors has made her a pivotal figure in the movement to combat modern-day slavery. In addition to her advocacy work, Odessa has shared her powerful story in her acclaimed book, shedding light on the harsh realities of human trafficking while offering hope and encouragement to those who have endured similar ordeals. As the founder and owner of a successful business dedicated to empowering survivors of human trafficking through employment and support. Her dedication to creating opportunities for those who have been marginalized and exploited.Furthering her impact, Odessa has also taken on a role as a high school counselor and educator, using her experiences to guide and mentor young people, and to educate them about the dangers of human trafficking. Odessa’s remarkable journey has not gone unnoticed by lawmakers, and her pivotal role as a key witness for SB14, a bill that turned human trafficking into a serious and punishable felony, has been instrumental in shaping legislation to better protect vulnerable individuals and hold perpetrators accountable. Her unwavering dedication to advocating for survivors, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her commitment to educating the next generation make her a true inspiration and a force for positive change in the world.
Odessa Perkins
Public Health: The Truth About Human Trafficking
Dr. Atieh Poushneh
Artifical Intelligence: Society Awareness of Public Health
Atieh received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She holds a BS in Computer Engineering-Software and an M.SC in industrial engineering-System Management and Productivity. Her professional experience includes three years in the field of computer engineering including database design, artificial intelligence (AI), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Her main research interests are consumer psychology along with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented reality (AR), Metaverse, and virtual reality (VR). She is interested in the effect of such technologies on consumer behaviors. Her research has been published in A-level journals and conferences. She also has served as an ad-hoc reviewer for several A & A-star level journals and conferences.
Bob Meadows joined Valley Strong Credit Union in October 2023 as the Director of Training and Community Relations after five years as Business Development Director for the City of Shafter. Prior to his government work, he built his banking career over 40 years at multiple institutions as a branch manager, business developer, community leader, commercial lender, and leadership mentor. Bob was an Honors Graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington in Seattle and earned an A.A. Degree in Journalism from Bakersfield College. With a long history of community support and involvement, he now serves as Advisory Board Member for Alzheimer’s Association of Kern County (ADAKC) and as group leader for the Links for Life Strong Links Hangout for husbands of breast cancer survivors. In 2018, Bob was honored with the Beautiful Bakersfield Award for Business Person of the Year. Bob has spent over 20 years in his “other career” as a caregiver in various capacities for multiple family members, including Vicki, his wife of 45 years and a 10-year breast cancer survivor. Lessons learned, some painfully, along with helpful advice and insight from those experiences is what he will share in his workshop.
Bob Meadows
A Caregiver’s Journey: My “Other” Career
Mikela Thomas
Racism as a Public Health Crisis: Understanding, Addressing, and Acting Together
Mikela Thomas (she/her) is the Associate Director of Equity & Inclusion Initiatives for United Ways of California. With more than 15 years of experience in education, Mikela has a broad range of expertise extending from the classroom into the community. Starting with her career in K-12 education, she learned firsthand how enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion can help achieve overall student success. She has expanded her reach to include adult professional development, leadership training, advocacy, belonging, justice, and community outreach. Currently, Mikela is receiving her PhD. in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University and is expected to graduate in 2025. Mikela’s life’s mission is to be a service to the community by enriching lives, transforming hearts and minds, and inspiring others to be the change they want to see in the world. She believes it is through love, empathy, quality education, and equitable policies and practices that we can uplift humanity. Mikela is originally from Ohio, but resides in San Diego, CA with her family. She is the mother of 3 amazing children (Michael 21, Mason 18, and Maliyah 14). She is the Recording Secretary of the North San Diego County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, scrapbooking/crafts, playing cards and board games with her family, and spending time with her Cockapoo, Cocoa.
Melinda Santiago, LMFT is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in Kern County receives the support they deserve to live a healthy life. With over two decades of experience in social services and behavioral health, Melinda has cultivated a deep understanding of the diverse needs of underserved communities locally. In her role as the Director of Behavioral Health at Kern Health Systems, Melinda’s mission is clear: to facilitate access to high-quality behavioral health services. Her passion stems from the belief that everyone deserves to feel supported and understood. With a Master of Science degree in Counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, Melinda’s academic foundation complements her extensive clinical experience. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2009, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her leadership role. She has served in various roles of behavioral health care leadership, management, and program development, serving the most underserved communities in Kern County. She has worked across multiple behavioral health care settings that include children, adult, substance use disorder outpatient settings, juvenile facilities, and residential settings for youth. She is committed to nurturing the next generation of local mental health professionals. She mentors future clinicians and is determined to expand the local network of behavioral health providers in Kern County.
Melinda Santiago
Embracing You | Achieving Harmony in this Busy World
Dr. Ana Mena
Embracing You | Achieving Harmony in this Busy World
Dr. Ana Mena is a licensed psychologist in the state of California with an interest in community mental health and experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She received her Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Bakersfield and her Doctorate degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles campus. Having also graduated from the Alberto Mottessi School of Evangelists with her Associates degree, Dr. Mena seeks to use her education, experience, and theological background to help those most in need.
Melinda Mendez, MSW is an Associate Clinical Social Worker. Melinda recently completed earning her associate hours and is in the process of applying for licensure. Melinda earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She is currently the Clinical Manager of Aspire Behavioral Health, Bakersfield where she works with adolescents, adults, and families. Melinda focuses on the utilization of evidence-based practices, particularly enjoying Dialectical Behavior Therapy. While she enjoys working with individuals of all populations, her heart lies with the adolescent population. Melinda strives to provide a safe and accepting environment where clients can openly share their experiences and struggles. Melinda aims to help clients identify and alter unhealthy patterns in order to improve their overall wellbeing.
Melinda Mendez
Embracing You | Achieving Harmony in this Busy World
Vincent Zaragoza
Advancing Public Health Priorities by Mapping Community Health
Vince is an independent planning consultant with over 30 years of experience in Community and Economic Development, Urban and Environmental Planning, and GIS/Geography. He is a firm believer in civic engagement an during technology for enabling planners and policy makers in their decision-making for improving the welfare of people and their communities by preserving open spaces, discouraging urban sprawl, and shaping urban areas and rural neighborhoods in healthier, more efficient and manageable spaces. Vince is currently a Kern County LAFCO Commissioner. He has an Undergraduate Certificate in applied Digital Geography and GIS from Toronto Metropolitan University; AA from Bakersfield Community College; BA in Economics, MBA in Finance, and MPA (Public Policy) from CSUB; and a MGIS from the University of Central Arkansas.
Joe Garcia, Business Development Manager at Tri Counties Bank, was born and raised in Delano, California. A first-generation college student, Joe achieved a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration from CSU Bakersfield while also working full time in banking, where he found his true calling. As of today, he has been in the banking industry for over 13 years. In addition to banking, he has a passion for nonprofit work and can be often found participating in or volunteering for local organizations, such Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, CASA of Kern County, Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, Kern Alliance of Nonprofits, and Links for Life. He proudly serves as a board member for United Way and is active in their DEI subcommittee, especially where it pertains to the LGBTQIA+ community. When not volunteering his time or at the office, Joe can be found travelling with his family or running marathons. He believes that care for oneself is all-encompassing: mentally, spiritually, as well as physically.
Joe Garcia
Financial Success for Young Professionals
Ishmeet Singh
Founder and President of Cognitive Compass
Ishmeet Singh, is an exceptional high school honor student and innovative app developer. Excelling academically with a passion for technology, Ishmeet has already made a mark by becoming the founder and president of Cognitive Compass.
Cognitive Compass is designed to bridge the gap between students and establish support systems by optimizing mental health resource accessibility and empowering students with a mindset that enables them to handle streesful situations by utilizing these resources.
Ishmeet also developed a QR code for the Kern Behavioral Health website and implemented it throughout the Kern High School District and the Kern Community College District.
Balancing rigorous coursework with creative projects, Ishmeet is dedicated to using tech to solve real-world problems and inspire peers. Beyond the classroom, he actively advocates for the community, showcasing leadership and a commitment to community service. Ishmeet Singh embodies the spirit of curiosity, innovation, and excellence.
Contact our Marketing and Events team at:
Phone: (661) 834-1820
Email: events@uwkern.org
Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center
801 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA
Phone: (661) 323-1900
