Our Team
Delivers meaningful opportunities to students and alumni. Provides resources to individuals to expand their professional network by hosting career events and engaging with employers in the community. Santa Barbara native. Find me whipping something up in the kitchen or at the Bowl catching a concert!
Pronouns: She/Her
Ali Anderson
Employer Engagement Specialist
Leticia Cardenas
Employment Services Specialist
Invested in supporting students to discover who they are, to build the life that they want and to make the change that they wish to see in the world. Supports the vision and action of the change-makers and world-shakers of the Education and Human Services pathway. Liaison to transfer students and military-affiliated students.
Pronouns: She/Her
Dr. Marina Chavez
Career Counselor
Provides strategic vision and leadership for a department of amazing career pros committed to quality services for all Gauchos. Thrives on helping others uncover their unique talents through meaningful direction. Advocates for health and wellness…mostly from the tennis court or soccer field. #GirlDad
Pronouns: He/Him
Ignacio Gallardo
Executive Director
Passionate about connecting students to employers through experiential learning opportunities that will enhance their professional development. Dedicated to providing enriching services to support students in their career endeavors, as well as assisting employers with increasing their UCSB talent pipelines. Huge fan of sunsets, sweet iced coffee, beach walks + bike rides with my husband, and hosting friends & family for fun potlucks and game nights in our home!
Pronouns: She/Her
Brittany Gonzalez
Interim Associate Director,
Employer Engagement
Gia Halleck
Career Events Coordinator
Maya Hargens
Assistant Director,
Graduate Career Education
Big believer that a classroom isn’t the only place to learn something new. Empowering students to drive their professional journeys through open communication, collaborative reflection, and occupational exploration. Career Counselor for Business + Entrepreneurship pathways and dedicated to supporting international students.
Pronouns: He / Him / His
Brandon Hernandez
Career Counselor
Dedicated to being your advocate for all your career goals. Each student journey is unique and I am here to empower your individual experience. UCSB alum excited to be back on campus to support the best students (zero bias). Career Counselor for Engineering + Tech Pathway students, support in our fast-changing world. Most likely reading a book while complaining about how little sleep I get.
Pronouns: She/Her
Serineh Manokian
Career Counselor
Jo Ann Villanueva-Salvador
Senior Associate Director,
Career Education
Oversees all aspects of the Career Resources Room (CRR) operations and manages the amazing Student Peer Advisors. Passionate about providing easy access, free, up-to-date, and comprehensive career information for students. Loves her family, reading, the performing arts, and is a proud Gryffindor/Marvel/Tolkienite!
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
LaTia Willis
Career Resources Coordinator