Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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NLP Management LeadershipRebekah, Christensen*, ORA Systems, President, Co-Founder, NLP Chairperson
Keith Christensen, ORA Systems, Chief Operating Officer, Co-Founder, NLP Senior Management
NLP Facilitator LeadershipRhonda Basarich*, DGS Chief, Office of Fiscal Services, Facilitator: Team One – State of Innovation, Mantra: “Boundless”
Steve Kotani, APSEA Foundation Board of Directors, Co-Facilitator: Team One – State of Innovation
Alicia Wong*, CDT Chief, Enterprise Planning and Portfolio Management Branch, IT Services Division; APSEA President, Facilitator:
Team Two – Cloud Climbers, Mantra: “From a Different Perspective”
Richard Martin, ORA Systems Vice President, Facilitator: Team Three – Quantum Leap, Mantra: “To Infinity and Beyond”
Katherine Kishaba, DWR, Deputy Director of Business Operations, Facilitator, Team Four – Californivation, Mantra: “The Sky is the Limit”
James Waterman*, Google Regional Manager, SLED West, Google, Inc., Facilitator, Team Five – Agents of Creation through Fearless
Exploration, Mantra, “No Barriers”
Malinda Nguyen, BOE Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Health and Safety Section, Co-Facilitator, Team Five – Agents of Creation
through Fearless Exploration, Mantra, “No Barriers”
NLP Rapid Innovation TraineesRhonda Basarich*, DGS Chief, Office of Fiscal Services, Facilitator: Team One
Jana Boccalon, OIG Staff Services Manager I (Specialist), Team Two
Shivani Bose, CDT, Information Technology Project Analyst, Team Three
Tasha Brennan, DGS Staff Services Manager 1, OFAM, Team Four
Doug Brenning, DGS Branch Chief (A), RESD – CSB, Team Three
Candace Briggs, DGS Staff Facilities Manager I, RESD, Team Five
Kim Carriker, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, DSA, Team Three
Gonzalo Caseres, DGS Research Program Specialist II, RESD – PMOB, Team Two
Jason Casillas, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Administration, Team Four
Lucia Ceja, DIR Administration Manager, Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement, Team Five
Stephanie Chambers, DGS Staff Services Manager 1, Fiscal Services, Team Two
Jennifer Chappelle, DGS Program Manager, ORIM Administration, Team Five
Jill Clark, DGS Senior Real Estate Officer, RESD, Team One
Lourdes Coles, DIR Human Resources Manager, Team One
Jim Culbeaux, DIR Chief Information Officer, Team Two
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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Joe DiGirolamo, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, RESD, Team Four
Anda Draghici, DGS Staff Services Manager II, Procurement, Team Four
Jennifer Duncan, DOR Staff Services Manager I, Staff Development Unit
Melissa Eidson, CDFA Branch Chief, Departmental Services, Team Three
Corazon Espanol, EDD Voluntary Plan Administration Unit Manager, Team One
Charlie Galinato*, DGS Associate Engineer, Procurement, Team Three
Suzann Gostovich, OIG Assistant Inspector General, Team Five
Chris Hacker, OES Legislative & External Affairs Analyst, Office of Legislative Affairs, Team Five
Janice Henderson, OIG Senior Assistant Inspector General, Team One
Mario Hernandez, DGS Custodian Supervisor II, RESD, Team Two
Melissa Hicks, DIR Manager, Medical Review Unit, Division of Workers’ Compensation, Team One
Lyn Hooper*, DGS Senior Architect, NCARB, DASp, ADAC, Team One
Doug Hunting, OIG System Software Specialist, Team Four
Valerie Keisler, DGS Manager, Real Estate Services Division, Team One
Katherine Kishaba, DWR, Deputy Director of Business Operations, Facilitator: Team Four
Ron Koeppl, DGS Associate Governmental program Analyst, Executive Office, Team Three
Steve Kotani, APSEA Foundation Board of Directors, Co-Facilitator: Team One
Phillip Labra*, OES International Affairs Coordinator, Financial Accountability & Compliance, Team Four
Melanie Lusi,* OES Staff Services Analyst, Training and Exercise Division, Team Three
Sally Ly, CalPERS, Section Manager, Enterprise Compliance Division, Team Five
Jennifer Maestretti, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, OPSC, Team Five
Richard Martin, ORA Systems VP, Facilitator: Team Three
Katherine Minnich, CDCR Chief, Office of Personnel Services, Team Two
Zachary Mundy, DOR Staff Services Manager II, Program Manager Business Enterprise Program, Team One
Malinda Nguyen, BOE Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Health and Safety Section, Co-Facilitator: Team Five
Peggy Owens, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Administration, Team One
Viren Panikker, DGS Area Manager, RESD – CSB, Team Two
William Rodriguez, DGS Staff EDP Procurement Specialist, Team Five
Brinda Saini, DGS Project Director, RESD-PMOB, Team Two
Shannon Shackelford, DGS Staff Services Manager I, RESD – PMOB, Team One
Tracy Sharp, DGS Staff Services Manager I, OPSC, Team Three
* Please see bio at the end of this list
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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Michael Siemering, DGS Project Director II, RESD, Team Three
Richard Standiford, DGS Project Manager II, RESD – PMOB, Team Four
Deanna Sykes, CDPH, Research Scientist Supervisor, Prevention Research & Evaluation Section, Team Four
Karen Trinh*, OES Staff Services Analyst, Office of Performance Management, Team Two
Kim Tsumura, DGS REO Specialist - Notary, RESD, Team Two
Denise Vargas, DIR Administration Manager, Division of Workers Compensation, Team Three
Esmer Velagic, DGS Senior Civil Engineer, RESD-PMDS, Team Five
Glenn Warner, DGS Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Administration, Team Five
James Waterman*, Google Regional Manager, SLED West, Google, Inc., Facilitator: Team Five
Tom Wells, DGS Supervising Architect, RESD-MDB, Team Five
Linda Whitney, OIG Senior Legal Analyst, Team Three
Paul Wilburn, DGS Supervising Mechanical Engineer, RESD – PMDB, Team Three
Alicia Wong*, CDT Chief, Enterprise Planning and Portfolio Management Branch, IT Services Division; APSEA President, Facilitator: Team Two
Lisa Yang, Treasury Analyst with the Office of the City Treasure, City of Sacramento, Team Two
Janice Yapdiangco, DIR Administration Manager, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Team Four
Yu Ying, DGS Associate Management Auditor, OFAM, Team Four
Kerry Zadel, DGS Senior Real Estate Officer, RESD – PMDB, Team Four
* Please see bio at the end of this list
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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Rhonda L. Basarich, Chief, Office of Fiscal Services, Department of General Services
Rhonda’s swift progression in state service began in 1979 as a student assistant with the CSUS Library. In 1984 she
graduated from CSUS with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. From 1990-92, Rhonda was
part of a two-year management development program that included posts with the California Transportation
Commission, the Planning Division, and the Budget Office. In 2004, Rhonda took a long sabbatical to prepare for
her future retirement from state service. From 2005-2008, she attended Palmer West College of Chiropractic in
San Jose, California. In 2009, while still working for the State full time, Rhonda opened her part-time chiropractic
practice. In 2011 Rhonda began working at the Department of General Services. In 2013, she was promoted to
Chief of the Office of Fiscal Services (CEA) at DGS, a position she still holds.
Rebekah Christensen, Founder - CEO, ORA Systems, Chair, Navigating Leadership Program
The common denominator unifying my career is my penchant to unleash and accelerate human potential—its
creativity and innovation. In a digital world the playing field is leveled; all voices can now be heard and seen.
This requires each of us to stretch and become the best we can be from where we stand. As founder and CEO
of ORA Systems, I employ this strategy as current chair of the Navigating Leadership Program (NLP). Guiding the
partnership between the Asian Pacific State Employees Association (APSEA) and the USC Sol Price School of
Public Policy - Sacramento, the NLP is a national blueprint for systemic change management. It models a type
of collaboration capable of integrating personal, professional, and organizational development into a seamless
unified system.
By connecting “Who We Are” to our chosen path, e.g., “What We Do,” in real time, our approach mirrors the
inherent nature of our digital society. Our systems designs provide the framework to implement pioneering
approaches that focus on advancing the potential of our personal lives as well as organizations, communities and
the digital world, based upon the unique needs of all involved.
Since April 2015 I have been a member of an elite team that trains innovation and 10X thinking for the Google’s
Innovation Labs in Kern County, Alameda County, and San Joaquin County. As a leading-edge of support for
innovative technology, the opportunity to reinvent government’s benefit and service delivery to serve the
distinctive needs of constituents and communities inspires hope that the impossible is indeed possible!
As a systems integrator, my career path is testament to my lifelong focus on this important work. I have designed
systems that include lifecycle approaches to site cleanup and tech transfer for the Department of Energy
and Defense (DOE-DoD), guidance for the cultural integration of traditional Oriental medicine through the
World Health Organization’s International Classification of Traditional Medicine (ICTM) project, the design and
enactment of amending language to Mello-Roos to manage funding risk in multi-million dollar site cleanup, and
the design of a cooperative solution, with UCSB and CalPoly, that led to integrating competing economies to
collaboratively promote tourism on the central coast of California.
I hope my vision and clarity of purpose inspires others to reflect on who they are in context to the world
around them. But more importantly, our constantly evolving digital society levels the playing field for all of us
to challenge our leadership status quo—freeing us to innovate and break the boundaries of what’s possible in
our lives. I believe that success is the juncture where who you are and what you do become one, and, from that
moment forward, work isn’t a job—it’s a calling.
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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Charlie Galinato, Associate Procurement Engineer, Department of General Services
Charlie Galinato has about 15 years working for the State of California as a Procurement Engineer at the
Department of General Services, Procurement Division. Prior to joining the State, he worked for a consultant
company providing project oversight on large CA IT projects. He also has over ten years working as a systems
engineer for the Department of Defense, USAF. He has a BS in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and was
previously certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Chris Hacker, Legislative & External Affairs Analyst, Office of Legislative and External Affairs
Chris currently works in the Cal OES Office of Legislative and External Affairs as an analyst. In this position, he is
responsible for the identification and dissemination of legislation that could impact the California Governor’s
Office of Emergency Services’ ability to achieve its mission. He is also responsible for preparing briefs for the
Director of Emergency Services on a variety of issues, and acts as an external affairs liaison to key public safety
stakeholders. During times of disaster, Chris serves as the Deputy Chief of the Logistics Section for the Blue
Incident Support Team. Prior to entering state service, Chris spent 12 years working in the private sector. Chris
received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies with a focus in Rhetorical Criticism and Public
Communication from California State University, Sacramento.
Lyn Hooper, NCARB, CASp, ADAC, Department of General Services
I am a licensed architect with more than 20 years’ experience in the fields of architecture, historic architecture,
and access compliance for both public and private owners. My professional experience includes a wide variety of
architectural building use and construction types.
I feel strongly that our state facilities should be accessible to all individuals. I am a Certified Access Specialist,
Certified ADA Coordinator and am assistant program lead and historic preservation liaison for a statewide DGS
access barrier removal program to increase accessibility in conformance with the ADA, while maintaining the
integrity of the state’s historic architecture.
I volunteer as the membership director for two non-profit organizations. As the Fly Fishers of Davis’ membership
chair, I work to raise funds and awareness for education, conservation and Casting for Recovery – a breast cancer
fly fishing retreat program. As an Oregon Club Northern California board member and membership director, I
work to raise funds for student athletic facilities, programs and scholarships for my alma mater.
Phillip J. Labra, International Affairs Coordinator, Financial Accountability & Compliance
Phillip joined the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) at the end of 2012. Prior to state
service, Phillip has held various positions in the private sector for 10 years. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in
Economics with a concentration in Environmental Studies from the California State University, Sacramento. Phillip
currently assists in international affairs such as the coordination and facilitation of international delegations
visits, development of binational agreements, and other special projects. In addition, Phillip continues to provide
executive support to the Governor’s Drought Task Force. During times of disaster, Phillip serves as the Situational
Status Analyst of the Planning & Intel Section for the Blue Operational Readiness Team.
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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Melanie Lusi, Staff Services Analyst, Training and Exercise Division, CalOES
Melanie attended Colorado Christian University (CCU) where she played softball and earned her Bachelor’s
degree in Social Science. Upon her graduation, she remained in Denver and worked as a job coach for adults
with access and functional needs and an assistant softball coach for CCU. After returning to California in
2014, Melanie started her state career at Cal OES as a limited-term Staff Services Analyst in the Office of Tribal
Coordination. She has recently accepted a permanent position with the Training and Exercise division.
Richard Martin, Vice President of Operations ORA Systems
“Model the Way” is the personal and professional creed that has motivated me in my ongoing support of
family, friends, peers, and colleagues—not just during times of need but more importantly as they strive to
fulfill and maximize their potential by realizing their dreams and aspirations. My leadership style is to place
people in positions so they can prosper as I work to foster their success. I strive to function with great tenacity
as well as diligence and a sense of resourcefulness—these are the basis of my personal and professional
accomplishments. In my role as ORA Systems vice president of operations, I am working to help construct and
operationalize new systems and processes so individuals can thrive. I intend that my passion to better the
world is embedded into each and every ORA Systems idea, project, and program. This is my primary motivator
to create new systems that allow public and private programs to significantly enhance and coordinate the
services they provide to their customers and the people who serve their organizations. My career has focused
on my desire to create “something out of nothing” in the form of new programs that change and improve the
world. Examples include leading the design and implementation for changes in the way inmates request and
receive healthcare services within the California prison systems for the California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation; development and implementation of a new health insurance premium payment program that
allowed thousands of California residents living with HIV/AIDS to acquire and maintain health insurance for the
California Department of Public Health (CDPH); and design of a new program that will provide management and
leadership mentoring services to key personnel for CDPH. “I define leadership as the ability to motivate others to
do something because they want to do it!”
Karen Trinh, Staff Services Analyst, Office of Performance Management, CalOES
Karen has been working for Cal OES since 2014. Currently, she works as a Staff Services Analyst in the Office of
Performance Management where she tracks each directorate’s SMART objectives and ensures they align with the
department’s mission, vision, values, and goals. When she’s not tracking SMART objectives, Karen participates in
various Idea Ambassador Corps project charters that help shape Cal OES into a happier workplace for all. Outside
of work, Karen’s hobbies include photography and blogging. During times of disaster, Karen serves as the
Situational Status Analyst of the Planning & Intel Section for the Blue Operational Readiness Team.
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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Alicia Wong, Chief, Enterprise Planning and Portfolio Management Branch
IT Services Division, California Department of Technology; President, APSEA
Alicia Wong’s eighteen year civil service career includes work in the fields of program management, policy
development, strategic planning, and business process improvement. She currently oversees statewide
information technology (IT) policy implementation and communication activities for the California Department
of Technology’s State Technology Approval Reform (STAR) Project. She also serves as the primary contact point to
ensure consistent, timely and quality communications to Department of Technology stakeholders throughout all
phases of the STAR project, including delivery of presentations to the Legislature, agencies and departments, and
public events to generate interest and awareness of the STAR Project and its statewide impact.
Alicia serves on the Government Operations Agency’s Civil Service Improvement initiative charged to reform
the state’s current civil service system, which Governor Brown described as a complicated, inflexible, and highly
bureaucratic set of rules. Her work on this initiative includes formulation of recommendations concerning
performance management and strategic planning for the State of California.
Alicia previously managed communications activities for the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal)
and served as a manager overseeing administrative and business programs for both the Department of Motor
Vehicles and the Department of Water Resources.
As APSEA’s first vice president, Alicia has been an active member of the organization for the last several years. She
established APSEA’s first career development program, in which monthly upward mobility workshops, hosted
by government executives and managers, focus on information and advice on how to successfully strategize
professional goals and aspirations.
James Waterman, Regional Manager, State Local and Education, Google for Work
James Waterman, West Region manager for Google’s state, local, and education markets, is a leading proponent
for the adoption of technology as a means by which to educate, integrate, and enable work communities.
With an IT career spanning 28 years, Mr. Waterman has been an agent for change and an advocate for public/
private collaboration in the process to solve far-reaching and difficult problems. He has helped advance
California procurement initiatives, including the development of the State Store, CMAS, M/W/DVBE, MSA and SLP
procurement programs.
Notable stops in Mr. Waterman’s career include Unisys, Microsoft, HP, and now Google. While at Unisys, he was
a recognized leader in the post 9/11 programs targeted at securing the nation’s infrastructure. His solution and
financial models were key components of Unisys’ billion dollar airport security contract with the TSA.
Mr. Waterman has spent the past decade at Microsoft and HP advancing legacy system modernization, mission-
critical computing, “bid data,” analytics, cloud and “OpenStack” solutions. At Google, Mr. Waterman’s goal is to
“make the impossible possible” for the State of California by leveraging Google’s 10X thinking and innovative
advancements to solve long-standing challenges. Throughout 2015, Waterman has led the pioneering Google
Innovation Labs for Kern, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties.
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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NLP Intrapreneurs’ Boot Camp 2016 Series – Class Picture
Back Row: (L-R) – Rhonda Basarich, DGS; Jill Clark, DGS; Jason Casillas, DGS; Phillip Labra, OES; Chris Hacker, OES; Karen Trinh, OES;
Melanie Lusi, OES; Cora Espanol, EDD; Ying Yu, DGS; Viren Panikker, DGS; Lucia Ceja, DIR; Linda Whitney, OES; Shivani Bose, CTD;
Alicia Wong, CTD, Rebekah Christensen, ORA Systems. Center Row: (L-R) – Charlie Galinato, DGS; Valerie Keisler, DGS, Tracy Sharp,
DGS; Joe DiGirolamo, DGS, Jennifer Maestretti, DGS; Candace Briggs, DGS; Kim Tsumura, DGS; Richard Standiford, DGS; Jim Culbeaux,
DIR; Kathie Kishaba, DWR, Doug Hunting, OIG; Kim Karriker, DGS. Front Row: (L-R) – Lyn Hooper, DGS; Paul Wilburn, DGS; William
Rodriguez, DGS; Malinda Nguyen, BOE; James Waterman, Google; Peggy Owens, DGS; Jennifer Duncan, DOR; Stephanie Chambers,
DGS; Richard Martin, ORA Systems; Doug Brenning, DGS; Mario Hernandez, DGS; Keith Christensen, ORA Systems.
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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NLP PROGRAM CHAIRS and CO-CHAIRS
NLP Program Chair, Rebekah Christensen, Founder-CEO, ORA Systems, Inc.;
Communications Chair - Board Member, APSEA Board of Directors – 2012-2016
NLP Program Co-Chair, Paul Danczyk,
Director of Executive Education, Sol Price School of Public Policy - Sacramento Campus; Co-Chair, NLP
Host Committee Co-Chair, Alicia Wong, Policy and Communications Manager,
California Department of Technology; 1st Vice President, APSEA Board of Directors*
HOST SPONSOR
State of California - Department of General Services
707 Third St., West Sacramento, CA 95605
NLP HOST COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Rhonda E. Basarich, Chief, Office of Fiscal Services, Department of General Services (DGS)
Shivani Bose, Information Technology Project Analyst, California Department of Technology
Guy Burghgraef, Manager, Statewide Learning and Performance Management, Cal-HR
Keith Christensen, Business Tax Administrator, Board of Equalization*
Dean Lan, (Retired) – Deputy Director, California Department of Health Care Service;
State of California; Senior Advisor, APSEA
Richard Martin, Vice President, ORA Systems, Inc.*
Linda Ng, Chief, Financial Analysis and Risk Management, Department of Water Resources,
President Asian Pacific State Employees Association
Jeff Uyeda, President, Uyeda and Associates, (Rtd) Executive Partner, FI$CAL,
APSEA Board of Directors, President Emeritus, President, Uyeda & Associates
James Waterman, Regional Manager, SLED West, Google, Inc.*
Terri Xavier, (Retired), Human Resources Manager, Department of Conservation (DOC),
State of California; Chair, NLP Accessibility
Lisa Yang, Treasury Analyst with the Office of the City Treasurer
*Rapid Innovation Team Leads
Leadership, Host Committee, DGS Host & Host Committee
Navigating Leadership Program (NLP)Intrapreneurs’ Innovation Boot Camp – 2016 Series Class Trainees and Facilitation Team
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OUR SPONSORS
YOUR 2016 NLP TRAINING COLLABORATORS – AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS, NGO’S
NLP 2016 Series Sponsors