MBA Cohort December 2009: Student Profiles

	Yolanda Allen Entrepreneur Caregiver-Mentor My professional career began as an educator with the Los Angeles Unified School District. I continue to serve children and their families as the owner of a private child care facility. California State University, Dominguez Hills is where I completed both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I hold a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Sociology and a MA in Behavioral Science. My specialty is Negotiation and Conflict Management. I am also a certified Mediator. Three beautiful daughters and my wonderful husband of 17 years fill my days with laughter, joy and direction.
	Kathleen Andrade Scope and Risk Management So. Cal. Edison My name is Kathleen Andrade. I’m passionate, realistic and introspective. I work hard and play hard. My favorite cartoon character is Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty! Ask me why.
	Natasha Asinas Marketing Coordinator Music Group My name is Natasha Asinas and I am a proud alum of MSMC, received my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management & Marketing and was a recipient of the President's Award upon graduation in 2005. Currently, I am the Marketing Coordinator for Fontana Distribution/Universal Music Group and am also an active volunteer at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
	Karen Barnes Compliance Officer CES, Inc. My name is Karen Barnes and I am an intelligent, serious, private, personable, creative, funny, yet shy person. I enjoy spending time with family, spoiling my nieces and nephews, hanging out with friends, and working on various hobbies.
	Starr Codd Director, Clinical Services American Career College My background consists of business development including sales and marketing. I am excited for the opportunity to develop my leadership qualities while obtaining my MBA from MSMC!
	Emma Davis Project Analyst So. Cal. Edison I am a recent graduate of Mount St. Mary’s Weekend College program with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After the MBA program I will continue on to pursue a Doctoral degree in Business/Economics, retire from the corporate world to consult and become a college professor.
	Vanessa Garcia Assignment Editor Telemundo As a native of Los Angeles, Vanessa graduated in 2006 from California State University of Los Angeles with a B.A. in Television and Film Studies. Her emphasis was in broadcast journalism, and currently works for NBC Universal's sister station Telemundo. Vanessa has been an assignment editor with Telemundo since 2005.
	Daisy Guillermo Analyst Univ. Med. Ctr, LV Born and raised in Hawaii, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at MSMC in 1990. I’m currently living in Las Vegas and commute to attend the MBA program. I currently work for the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. My background is human resources with over fifteen years of experience specializing in the field of classification and salary compensation. I’ve worked in the gaming industry for nine years, in government contract for the Department of Energy for two years, and the healthcare industry for three years. I’m a fun-loving person who really enjoys good times with friends, and family. I love practical jokes and like to play tricks on colleagues and friends.
	Lisa Ho Project Specialist Lisa Ho graduated from the University of Southern California in 2005, earning her Bachelor's Degree with a major in Public Policy, Management and Planning with a minor in Business from USC's School of Policy, Planning and Development. She is the third eldest child in a large family of seven children. Lisa turned 26 in late June and financing her own college education has helped her gain over 7 years of full time work experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors.
	Kathleen J. Huddleston Contracts Administration NASA, retired B.S. Business Administration MSMC 2007 (Magna cum Laude). Retired NASA Contracting Officer. Independent, intense, committed to achievement and passionate about leadership.
	Canetana Hurd Secretary, Mental Health LA County Mental Health I am a native of Los Angeles, Mount alumni (2008), and currently employed with Los Angeles County. My parents emphasized not to be a liability to society so that life will be rewarding, long and profitable. I have a straight forward no nonsense intellect, and a personable, sociable, and humorous personality that is fun to be around in small groups.
	Bhavesh Lad Systems Administrator Disney Animation I graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I've being working for The Walt Disney Company since graduation and I am currently a Systems Administrator for the Animation division. I was born and raised in Manchester, England until I was 18. I love to play soccer and enjoy spending time with friends and family.
	Maria Lara Administrative Clerk II City of Beverly Hills Police Dept. I am a 32 year old ambitious secretary who wants to climb the ladder of success. My name is Maria L. Lara.
	Rosa Madrigal Employee Development Specialist Boeing
	Marilynn Newton Services Warner Bros. I'm Honest, caring, and straightforward, someone who always knows what I want. Approachable, intelligent, dynamic, and enthusiastic, I have varied interests, ranging from voiceover to traveling.
	Silvia Ortiz Deduction Analyst J & J Snack Foods Corp. MSMC Alumni, mother of two, and married for 17 years. I would not be here without their love and support; to them I am grateful for achieving my goals.
	Robert Pastel Jr. Market Finance Specialist Mattel Soon to be celebrating 29 years of service at Mattel, Inc., I have worked in a variety of roles ranging from engineering, planning and finance. I enjoy fishing, scuba diving and snow-boarding.
	Georgina Perez Buyer Unified Grocers I earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration at MSMC Weekend program in 2006. For the past 15 years I have worked in all aspects in the purchasing field and am a current member of NAPM/ISM Orange County.
	Roxana Piaskowski Executive Assistant to the President & CEO The Valley Economic Alliance I’m 25 years old and I’m an executive assistant to the President and CEO of a non-profit economic development organization in the San Fernando Valley. I love to do arts and crafts; I enjoy reading, traveling, picture taking, meeting new people, snowboarding and spending time with my friends and family.
	Kathy Rodriguez CRS Lead Indymac Bank
	Juliana Schweiger Leasing Associate National Community Renaissance I am Juliana Schweiger. I am 23 years old and just recently graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with my Bachelors in Business Administration, a concentration in Sports Management, and a minor in English. I have been in the workforce for about 10 months, so I am still a baby when it comes to experience but I am learning something new every day. I am a leasing consultant for an affordable housing community, where I provide living for people who are less fortunate. I love my job and that is why I wanted to get my master. I wanted to expand my education so that I could one day work at the corporate level. I want to be able to help people find a place that they can call home and be able to do this all at an affordable price.
	Sara Small Director of Patient Financial Services St. John's Hospitals I am currently employed by Catholic Healthcare West as Director of Patient Financial Services for the St John's Hospitals in Camarillo and Oxnard. I've worked with CHW for the past ten years. I've held various positions within healthcare for the past 30 years. I am an alumn of Mt St Mary's College, Chalon campus with a BA in English. My husband and I have been married for 25 years, we have three children and three grandchildren. We live in Thousand Oaks, California.
	Darcy Stoltz-Burke Director of Public Affairs Orange County I graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s College, Chalon Campus, in 1987 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. I am currently the Director of Public Affairs for the Municipal Water District of Orange County and along with my amazing daughter Marissa, live in Canyon Lake.
	Dameon Turney National Credit Group Creativity is the closest thing to the fountain of youth. I aspire to live this way.
	Nancy Valdivia Sr. Manager, Operations/Medical Education Abraxis BioScience, LLC A goal-oriented person with excellent organizational skills, ability to work under pressure, and a solution driven mindset. Compassionate- motivated by the belief that my work makes a difference in the world.