2024 NOW Conference Presenters

James Dudek (he/him)

James Dudek is a Senior Organizational Strategist for People & Culture. He serves as an executive adviser to campus leadership on organizational development, strategy, culture, psychology and change. James began his professional journey at Berkeley as a Senior Clerk Typist A. Over the past 30 years he has grown his career and along the way has been in seven distinct job categories (including academic advising, policy analysis, organizational development, and chief of staff roles) in three academic departments, three colleges, and four divisions.

Session:...

Jesus Lomeli Castellanos

As a Talent Acquisitions Recruiter at UC Merced, I am here to guide you through any questions you might have about employment at our institution. My goal is to help you gain clarity, identify any concerns, and help answer all your questions. I have 2.5 years of experience in Talent Acquisitions with UC Merced and 2 years in the staffing sector.

Session: Unlocking Career...

Jill Finlayson (she/her)

Jill Finlayson is the Managing Director of the CITRIS Innovation Hub which features the Workforce Innovation Program, Visiting Innovators Program, and emerging tech programs. Jill formerly led the EDGE in Technology Initiative at the University of California which focuses on expanding diversity and gender equity in tech. Student-related activities at CITRIS include the annual EDGE in Tech Symposium, Startup Challenge Labs, and Data Discovery projects. She also co-leads a UC Systemwide Inclusive Innovation and Equitable Entrepreneurship (I2E2) initiative. Jill hosts a Future of Work podcast...

Joan Kling (she/her)

Joan Kling is a mental fitness coach with over 35 years of local government and leadership expertise. Joan takes first-time people managers on a journey from self-doubt to self-confidence helping them to become inspiring, respectful, and supportive leaders who make a difference.

Joan’s Coaching Philosophy: P.I.E.S.

Permission: Granting oneself the freedom to excel.

Imperfection: Encouraging growth through embracing imperfections.

Eyes on Self: Fostering...

Jolie Lam (she/her)

Jolie Lam is the manager of the surgical robotics and digital health program at CITRIS and the Banatao Institute. Before joining CITRIS, she was a programmatic officer for the Foundations of Machine Learning program at the UC Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, and she previously worked as an academic officer for the Guizhou-Berkeley Big Data Innovation Research Center at the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare.

Jolie is from Hong Kong and has worked in mainland China for multinational companies as well as startups. She...

Joy Evans (she/her)

Joy Evans, MSW combines trauma-healing with sound and forest therapy to lead people out of the perpetual stress response, to reconnect with the details of the senses, and return to clarity, centered self, and calm.

Rest and realign your energy during a sound healing with alchemy crystal singing bowls, connect with the sacred earth on a guided forest bathing walk, and join Joy’s community events to honor the healing rhythms of the moon and seasons. Joy welcomes all, especially LGBTQ+ siblings and BIPOC to her in-person and online gatherings....

Juan Morales

With a comprehensive background spanning over six years, I've dedicated myself to guiding individuals towards their career aspirations. My journey includes one year as a Talent Acquisition Recruiter at UC Merced, where I earned an AIRS Professional Recruiter Certification, and three years at UC Merced Career Center working as the Employer Relations & Internship Coordinator and Career Specialist for Business majors. In this role, I refined my expertise in career coaching, resume and cover letter development, and interview preparation. Additionally, my two years of experience in...

Julie Ha (she/her)

Julie Ha serves as the Auxiliary Services Lead for the Disabled Students’ Program at UC Berkeley, where she prioritizes equity and inclusivity. She manages recruitment, training, and assignment of volunteer note-takers, ensuring accommodations for a diverse student body. Her role includes scheduling, task delegation, conducting one-on-one meetings with students, collaborating with specialists, and providing continuous team support. Julie utilizes AIM and audio note-taking software to enhance accessibility. She's excited about working with different units to leverage technology for...

Kelly Chang (she/her)

Kelly Chang is a co-lead of RTL’s Student Employee Workforce Development program, working alongside her colleague Natalie Montanez. Together, they are dedicated to extending learning beyond the traditional classroom setting by creating meaningful, impactful employment experiences for students, equipping their team for a successful and values-aligned professional future. With her passion for training and development, Kelly nurtures the department's student workforce who play a pivotal role in supporting the AV technology in UC Berkeley's 210 general assignment classrooms. Co-...

Kelsey Neff (she/her)

Kelsey Neff improves workplace climate and culture with an intentional focus on two areas - systems and people. By identifying barriers to success on an individual and organizational level she works to improve policies, procedures, and professional relationships. She practices the tenets of servant leadership and believes that excellence happens when you focus on both a big-picture vision as well as the day-to-day operations to make it a reality. Kelsey is an experienced trainer and has presented at local, state, national, and international education conferences. Her 10-...