Category Archives: Connect

Mary Nguyen M.P.P.’23, M.S.W. ’23: Championing Social Justice and Policy Reform

Mary Nguyen (she/her) has always been driven by a passion for community advocacy. Growing up in Garden Grove and later Stanton, she was surrounded by a diverse cultural community that shaped her awareness of social and economic disparities. As a first-generation college graduate, Nguyen pursued a degree in Human Services at Cal State Fullerton before earning dual master’s degrees in Social Welfare and Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Her early career in mental health as a housing specialist exposed her to the systemic barriers that many individuals face, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Nguyen worked closely with clients diagnosed with substance use disorders and mental health conditions, assisting them in navigating Section 8 housing and shelter programs. However, she soon realized that despite her best efforts, structural issues within housing policies often prevented real, lasting change.

"There were too many people applying for too few housing opportunities," Nguyen said. "Even when individuals followed every requirement, sudden policy shifts could push them further down the waiting list. It was then that I realized real change happens at the policy level."

This realization led her to UCLA, where she sought to bridge the gap between macro-level policy work and micro-level social services. At Luskin, Nguyen immersed herself in student leadership, becoming chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) caucus. She also led the Public Policy Leadership Association, stepping into roles that challenged her to advocate on a larger scale.

"I wanted to connect with my identity and my peers," she said. Although there were few Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students in my dual program, there was still a disconnect, where I wanted to foster a greater sense of community and build lasting connections."

Taking on leadership roles was initially outside her comfort zone. "As a Vietnamese woman, I grew up with the expectation to be quiet and not make waves," Nguyen said. "The programs and opportunities at UCLA  helped me break out of that mindset. I stepped into leadership, first with the AAPI caucus and later as chair of the Public Policy Leadership Association."

She also participated in the global policy exchange program, Hertie, in Germany, which broadened her perspective on policymaking. "It made me realize how small our world is within the U.S., and how much we can learn from other countries' approaches to governance," she said.

From theory to practice 

Nguyen's work at UCLA directly informed her current role as Policy and Research Manager at the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative. The organization advocates for social justice issues, particularly for low-income Vietnamese immigrant and refugee nail salon workers.

"Our organization is a statewide grassroots coalition that advocates for social justice issues," Nguyen said. "We provide civic engagement, educational workshops on health and workers' rights, and lead policy campaign efforts."

One of her significant policy efforts was Assembly Bill 2444, known as the Justice in Beauty Bill, authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee. The bill aimed to enhance language access for labor rights materials and required in-language announcements for licensed manicurists when labor laws changed. Though the bill was held in appropriations, Nguyen found the process invaluable.

"It was an empowering experience to mobilize our community members—our 'aunties' as we call them—to Sacramento for lobby days," she said. "They shared their testimonies and learned how to advocate for themselves in legislative meetings."

Nguyen, whose second language is Vietnamese, played a crucial role in ensuring the policy language was accessible to community members. "Policy terms can be jargony, so translating them in a way that maintains their full meaning was a challenge," she said. "But it was necessary to ensure our members understood their rights and could advocate for themselves."

Navigating the Present and Looking Ahead

Nguyen continues to engage in advocacy beyond her work, participating in community actions and rallies. "I find solace in spaces where people understand the work we do," she said. "Being in community spaces, talking about real issues, and engaging in creative outlets like music and drawing helps me navigate these challenging times."

She also advises people to diversify their sources of news. "Western media narratives are often biased, so it's important to seek out diverse perspectives," she said. "Listen to students who are organizing on campus — they're in the belly of the beast when it comes to political activism."

Her advice for those looking to stay informed and engaged is simple: "Support local businesses, engage with your community, and do what you can to make a difference. Even small actions contribute to meaningful change."

Nguyen's journey from social work to policy advocacy exemplifies how grassroots activism can influence systemic change. As she continues her work at the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, she remains committed to uplifting marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard in policymaking spaces.

Resources from the CA Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative

How to protect yourself from ICE at your home, in public and in the workplace (English and Vietnamese)

Reports from CA Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative

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Travel Journal - Cruise The Heart Of Europe 2025

May 6 - 21, 2025

Photos taken by the tour group

UCLA Alumni Travel Group Photo in Cologne, Germany

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UCLA Alumni Travel cruised through the heart of Europe on a 14-night journey along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Bruins explored five countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, with stops in iconic cities like Vienna, Budapest and Amsterdam. Alumni enjoyed guided tours, immersive local experiences and stunning scenery, all from the comfort of a first-class river boat.

If you enjoy river cruising through the heart of Europe, you’ll love the Holiday Markets Cruise along the festive Rhine River. Feel the magic of this seven-night journey offering the same first-class experience, this time set against the backdrop of charming towns dressed up for the holidays.

Waterland Bike Ride - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Documentation Center Exhibit - Nuremberg, Germany

Schnitzel Lunch - Nuremberg, Germany

Wurzburg Residenz - Wurzburg, Germany

Walking Tour - Cologne, Germany

Passau - Germany

Cheesemaking Demo - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Apple Strudel Making

Wachau Valley Cycling - Durnstein

Kitchen Tour Aboard Cruise Ship

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Books by Bruins - LGBTQ Stories

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n celebration of Pride month, our Books by Bruins series features publications about LGBTQ topics ranging from personal memoirs to historical stories to humorous film critiques. As this compilation of Bruin authors grows, we’re categorizing the books into an online library, but we’ll need your help to make it as comprehensive as possible. If you know of one, please submit a Bruin author. While all these books are written by UCLA alumni, inclusion in the list is not an endorsement.

Movies That Made Me Gay book cover

Movies That Made Me Gay (2023)

Larry Duplechan ʼ78

Larry Duplechan’s memoir transports viewers through Hollywood history with humorous film criticism while simultaneously covering his experience growing up as a Black gay man in the early 1960s. Duplechan is the author of five novels, including “Blackbird,” which is considered the first modern Black “coming-out” novel, and the Lambda Literary Award-winning “Got ‘til it’s Gone.”

Q&A: Voices From Queer Asian North America book Cover

Q&A: Voices from Queer Asian North America (2021)

Alice Hom, M.A. ʼ92

“Q&A: Voices from Queer Asian North America” considers how Asian American racial and queer sexuality interconnect in mutually shaping and complicating ways. Alice Y. Hom is an Asian American LGBTQ community activist and author, and the director of Equity and Social Justice for The Northern California GrantMakers. She is also the host of the Historically Queer Podcast. Her 1998 book, “Q&A: Queer in Asian America; Unifying Differences,” won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Book in Lesbian and Gay Anthologies/Non-Fiction.

Gay L.A. book cover

Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians (2009)

Stuart Timmons ʼ81

Drawing on rare archives and photographs as well as more than three hundred interviews, Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons chart L.A.'s unique gay history, from the first missionary encounters with Native American cross-gendered “two spirits” to cross-dressing frontier women in search of their fortunes; from the bohemian freedom of early Hollywood to the explosion of gay life during World War II to the underground radicalism set off by the 1950s blacklist; and from the 1960s gay liberation movement to the creation of gay marketing in the 1990s. While a student at UCLA, gay historian, activist and author Stuart Timmons cofounded Outfest, which has grown into one of the nation’s largest and most influential LGBT film festivals.

Queer American Story book cover

Queer American History: A Reader in Documents and Essays (2024)

Amy Sueyoshi, M.A. ʼ98, Ph.D. ʼ02

Sueyoshi bridges feminist, queer and ethnic studies to show how the white quest to forge new frontiers in gender and sexual freedom reinforced racial inequality through a pan-Asian American stereotype weighted with sexual and gender meaning. Amy Sueyoshi is the associate dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. She is the author of “Queer Compulsions: Race, Nation, and Sexuality in the Affairs of Yone Noguchi.”

It Rhymes With Takei book cover

It Rhymes with Takei (2025)

George Takei ʼ60, M.A. ʼ64

Following the award-winning bestseller “They Called Us Enemy,” George Takei’s new full-color graphic memoir reveals his most personal story. Takei has shown the world many faces: actor, author, outspoken activist, helmsman of the Starship Enterprise and living witness to the internment of Japanese Americans. Now, for the first time ever, he shares the full story of his life in the closet, his decision to come out as gay at the age of 68, and the way that moment transformed everything.

Twenty Years of Legal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples book cover

Twenty Years of Legal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in the United States: Evidence Review and New Analyses (2024)

Benjamin Karney, M.A. ʼ92, Ph.D. ʼ97

It has been 20 years since the first marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples in Massachusetts. The authors of this report draw on an evidence review and analyses that reveal that the benefits of access to legal marriage for same-sex couples are unambiguously positive. For the past 25 years, Dr. Benjamin Karney has been studying change and stability in intimate relationships, especially in the early years of marriage.  His research relies upon longitudinal data, repeated measures, multilevel modeling and observational coding of couple interactions.

Love Comes First book cover

Love Comes First: Creating LGBTQ Families (2021)

Bradford Kolb, EMBA ʼ22

This first-hand account covers practical information from an organization specializing in adoption for LGBTQ parents as well as sperm donation from the largest sperm bank in the country. As president and managing director of HRC Fertility, Dr. Bradford Kolb is internationally known for having some of the highest rates of pregnancy success in the country. He has also been a pioneer in assisting LGBTQ families. Dr. Kolb is the president and board chair of Love Comes First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering awareness of LGTBQ families via multimedia storytelling.

Mama's Boy book cover

Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas (2019)

Dustin Lance Black ʼ96

Dustin Lance Black wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for “Milk” and helped overturn California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8, but he grew up in a conservative Mormon household outside San Antonio, Texas. His book explores what it took to remain a family despite such divisions — a journey that stretched from the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to the wood sheds of East Texas. Black is an Oscar winner, a TFT alumnus and a veteran screenwriter, producer, director and playwright.

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Books by Bruins - Health and Wellness

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ay is Mental Health Awareness Month. As part of our ongoing Books by Bruins series, we are featuring a compelling collection of books that focus on this theme in a variety of ways — from personal stories of healing to healthy cookbooks to finding peace in yoga and meditation. As this compilation of Bruin authors grows, we’re categorizing the books into an online library, but we’ll need your help to make it as comprehensive as possible. If you know of one, please submit a Bruin author. While all these books are written by UCLA alumni, inclusion in the list is not an endorsement.

Anti-Cancer Foods Meal Plan Cookbook: A 28 Days Quick, Easy and Nutritious Diet Guide for Cancer Patients (2023)

Margaret Paul, M.A. ʼ62

“The Anti-Cancer Foods Meal Plan Cookbook" is a guide to embracing the healing power of food. The book features delicious recipes to nourish your body and invigorate your spirit, explained by cancer survivor, Emily, who discovered the incredible potential of anti-cancer foods. Margaret Paul holds a Ph.D. in psychology and is a public speaker, educator, chaplain and artist. She is the author of several best-selling books that have been translated into 11 languages. She has appeared on many radio and TV shows, including the Oprah show. She has taught classes and seminars for individuals, couples and businesses since 1967.

Organic Soul: The Healing Power of African American Music in a World of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Mario Ewell, M.A. ʼ20

“Organic Soul” is an exploration of music's transformative power, focused on African American music’s profound impact on health and well-being. Stevie Wonder’s pioneering work with synthesizers influenced the development of technologies like advanced AI systems and voice interfaces. Discover how the rhythms, melodies and harmonies of African American music can reduce stress, boost immunity and enhance cognitive function. UCLA Graduate and Professional Student Alumni Network board member Mario Ewell brings his unique blend of creative vision and business acumen to this groundbreaking work.

The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children (2018)

Dale Atkins, Ph.D. ’82

“The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children” offers inspiration and activities to teach empathy, inspire a culture of compassion and connection, and empower children to make a difference in their community and the world. The book presents 10 fundamental concepts to weave into a family’s daily life including sections on relaxation, breathing, visualization and meditation. Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in educational philosophy. “The Kindness Advantage” is her seventh book.

Influenced: The Impact of Social Media On Our Perception (2022)

Brian Boxer Wachler (1984-1988)

This book explores what happens to our brains and our behaviors each time we addictively engage in social media. Brian Boxer Wachler argues that our reliance on social media has an impact on how we think, feel and perceive everything around us. “Dr. Brian” has devoted his career to the physical and mental intersection of how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. He is the medical director at his Beverly Hills institute and a staff physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He has written numerous articles and authored four popular medical books.

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Recipe For Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life (2022)

Dana Ellis Hunnes, M.P.H. ʼ07, Ph.D. ʼ13

In her book “Recipe for Survival,” dietitian and environmentalist Dana Ellis Hunnes outlines the steps to becoming a healthier and more sustainable consumer and improving the health of the planet. Her research examines the relationships among climate change, food choices and food security, and how these affect our health, as well as the health of the planet and its oceans. Hunnes is an adjunct assistant professor with the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA where she teaches courses on nutrition, chronic disease and the environment. She is a senior dietitian at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

The Psyche's Gifts: Art, Art Making, and the Journey from Mental Illness to Mental Wellness (2021)

Corinne Lightweaver ’85

"The Psyche's Gifts: Art, Art Making, and the Journey from Mental Illness," features a series of artworks that reflect Corinne Lightweaver’s personal experience of living with mental illness, including depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Working from her unconscious, she uses techniques of paper collage to access, reveal and artistically document her journey. Lightweaver is an artist, writer, editor and author. Her artistic journey began in painting, with wildlife as her favorite subject.

Off the Hook: How Forgiving You Frees Me (2019)

Dana Tibbitts ʼ80

“Off the Hook” shares real-life stories of people who were unknowingly captive to past hurts, and who then walked through deep forgiveness. This way offers healing and freedom through forgiveness. It’s about the power of letting go of old pain. Dana Trapnell Tibbitts began her career as a writer and media relations professional at UCLA in 1980 and continued to work in higher education, media and the arts for much of the next three decades. She has authored several books, including “Harnessing the Sky: Frederick ‘Trap’ Trapnell, the U.S. Navy’s Aviation Pioneer,” published by the Naval Institute Press.

Your Personal Renaissance: Twelve Steps to Finding Your Life's True Calling (2008)

Diane Dreher, M.A. ’70, Ph.D. ’73

Combining the lost wisdom of the Renaissance with groundbreaking research in positive psychology, "Your Personal Renaissance” approaches the concept of a personal calling — not just a job, but a joyous, meaningful life. The book features an innovative program of contemplative steps and practices drawn from Eastern and Western philosophy. With a Ph.D. in English literature from UCLA, as well as an M.A. in counseling, spiritual counseling and holistic health credentials and International Coach Federation certification, Diane Dreher is a best-selling author, professor, positive psychology coach, keynote speaker and associate director of the Applied Spirituality Institute at Santa Clara University.

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Unbreakable Mindset: The Four Habits That Will Help You Thrive in Your Career and Life (2020)

Edward Gorbis, M.S. ’13

Edward Gorbis is a high-performance coach, blogger, keynote speaker and podcast host. In this work, he teaches immigrants and first-generation professionals how to rapidly accelerate their careers by developing an invincible mindset and focusing on a few activities that yield tremendous results. Gorbis is the CEO of Career Meets World, an online coaching platform and a startup advisor, helping startups develop their growth strategies. He was formerly a civil engineer who became a senior sales director at WeWork.

Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference (2024)

Guy Kawasaki, MBA ’79

In “Think Remarkable,” tech titan Guy Kawasaki teams up with Madisun Nuismer, producer of the Remarkable People podcast, to deliver insights from a collection of interviews to help readers show the world their best self. The authors draw on insights from working closely with some of the world's most remarkable people. Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, an online graphic design tool. Formerly, he was an advisor to the Motorola business unit of Google and chief evangelist of Apple. He is also the author of "APE," "What the Plus!," "Enchantment" and nine other books. Kawasaki also has a B.A. from Stanford University, as well as an honorary doctorate from Babson College.

Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder (2022)

Joanna Poppink ʼ77, M.A. ʼ77, Cert. ʼ15

One in five women suffer from eating disorders. For women in their thirties and beyond, issues of loss from divorce, death, empty nest syndrome marriage and career pressures can trigger an eating disorder. “Healing Your Hungry Heart” offers a comprehensive recovery program for women with eating disorders, based on the author’s 30-year professional practice treating adults with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. She shares her personal struggles, along with stories from a wide range of clients she has counseled and a step-by-step program. Poppink is a California, Arizona, Florida, Oregon and Utah psychotherapist, whose specialties are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and eating disorder recovery with adults.

Get Out of Your Own Way by Jovita Jenkins

Get Out of Your Own Way (2004)

Jovita Jenkins, MBA ʼ94

In her debut offering, success strategist and executive coach Jovita Jenkins challenges readers to get out of their own way and deal with whatever is holding them back. With the honesty of an old friend and the insight of a professional coach, she leads readers on an intense journey of self-discovery that sets them on the path towards creating a compelling new chapter of their lives. In her book, she brings her prescription for success to her readers and empowers them to be more focused, confident and successful. She is certified as a professional coach through the International Coach Federation and is an area director for Toastmasters International.

Generation Anxiety: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide to Staying Afloat in an Uncertain World (2023)

Lauren Cook ’13

From licensed clinical psychologist and TikTok therapist Lauren Cook, “Generation Anxiety” is a practical guide aimed at millennials and Gen Z for tackling anxiety. This relatable, honest and information-packed book incorporates research and diverse client experiences to help readers gain insight into their own stressors. It also provides easy, actionable steps to help readers ride the waves of anxiety rather than constantly swimming against them. Cook began her training at UCLA, where she majored in psychology and communication studies. She completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University. She created the Name Your Story mental health group training curriculum that has been utilized by thousands of collegians around the country. She has been featured in many digital and print publications and has given more than 500 talks at various companies, universities and organizations.

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Mastering Life's Energies: Simple Steps to a Luminous Life at Work and Play (2007)

Maria Nemeth ʼ67, Ph.D. ʼ74

“Mastering Life’s Energies” shows us how to use all the energies of our lives — physical vitality, creativity, time, money, enjoyment and relationships — to realize our goals and dreams and live a life filled with possibility and promise. Maria Nemeth offers purpose-driven people simple yet powerful tools for training our brains for success. Designed and refined over decades of work with people all over the world, her work turns timeless wisdom into practical skills that have helped tens of thousands to live and serve with clarity, focus, ease and grace. Nemeth is founder and director of the Academy for Coaching Excellence, which has trained thousands of people worldwide.

Sparks of Spirit: How to Find Love and Meaning in Your Life 24 Hours a Day (2004)

Rolf Gompertz ʼ51

“Sparks of Spirit” contains 27 brief meditations and a list of supportive biblical verses. The simple, practical system is non-denominational and can be incorporated into the reader’s belief system. Gompertz fled Nazi Germany to America when he was 11 years old, and settled in Los Angeles. He is the author of eight books and numerous articles and short stories on Jewish and spiritual themes. He was honored with the English Department's Best Student of the Year Award and named to the honor society, Phi Beta Kappa.

The Success Messages: Inspiration to Recharge Your Passion, Potential & Purpose (2014)

Romeo Marquez Jr. ʼ04

“The Success Messages” is a collection of inspiring wisdom to reset your mind and spirit for success. The intention of this book is to enlarge your vision and remind you of the miracles you are set to create in this world. Read with an open heart and you'll experience the inner joy and happiness you are destined to live. Romeo Marquez Jr. is an international keynote speaker, author and creator and host of Superstar Success University. He earned his B.A from UCLA's School of Theatre, Film & Television and trained with an elite group of global success leaders.

Your Life as Story: Discovering the New Autobiography and Writing Memoir as Literature (1997)

Tristine Rainer ʼ68

In “Your Life as Story,” autobiography expert Tristine Rainer explains how we can shape the important messages in our lives into compelling narratives. Blending literary scholarship with practical coaching, Rainer shares her remarkable techniques for finding the essentials of story structure within your life's scattered experiences. At UCLA, she co-founded the University’s Women’s Studies program and taught the first course offered on women writers. As founder and director of the Center for Autobiographic Studies, she promotes the creation and preservation of autobiographic works, teaches, lectures and consults. She has written a memoir about her relationship with Anaïs Nin.

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The Big Happy Life: A Journey to Happiness Starring Posie the Penguin (2016)

David Pettit ʼ72, J.D. ʼ75

This rhyming children's story carries with it a message about finding happiness that is as relevant for the children reading it as it is for the adults who may read it to a child. Posie the Penguin begins to feel that she is not content with her life in Antarctica and decides that there must be more out there than her life of black and white. She travels to a warmer climate where she learns an important lesson about happiness.

Engineering Happiness: A New Approach for Building a Joyful Life (2012)

Rakesh Sarin, M.S. ʼ73, Ph.D. ’75

Rakesh Sarin has been conducting ground-breaking research on happiness for more than a decade. Together with co-author Manel Baucells, he integrates their research with the latest thinking in the behavioral and social sciences to offer a new approach to the puzzle of happiness. Woven throughout with wisdom from the world’s religions and literatures, “Engineering Happiness” has something to offer everyone who wants to better understand, attain and sustain a more joyful life. Sarin has been a member of the UCLA Anderson faculty since 1979. He was awarded the Paine Chair in Management in 1990.

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The Psychology of Self-Esteem: A Revolutionary Approach to Self-Understanding That Launched a New Era in Modern Psychology (2001)

Nathaniel Branden ʼ51

Dr. Nathaniel Branden introduces readers to six action-based practices for daily living that provide the foundation for self-esteem and explores its central importance in five areas: the workplace, parenting, education, psychotherapy and culture. Six Pillars of Self-Esteem provides concrete guidelines for teachers, parents, managers and therapists who are responsible for developing the self-esteem of others. Branden is a lecturer, practicing psychotherapist and the author of 20 books on the psychology of self-esteem, romantic love and the life of Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand. His work has been translated into 18 languages and sold more than four million copies.

Finding Real Yoga (2025)

Daren Black, M.A. ʼ81

In “Finding Real Yoga,” Daren Black shares his experience as a student of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Through his autobiographical memoir, he shares how he experienced a transformation from illness and homelessness to healing and self-empowerment through spiritual self-help. He has included tools, inspiration and wisdom from his spiritual self-help journey. Black has been practicing yoga and meditation since the 1970s. He developed Practical Ayurveda as a more user-friendly approach to Ayurvedic yoga.

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L.A. Wildfires: Stories of Recovery

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he January wildfires were the most destructive in California history, leaving behind immeasurable damage in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods. Last March, our Bruins Helping Bruins article shed light on UCLA’s actions during and in the immediate aftermath of the fires to keep everyone safe and mobilize resources for victims. Today, the neighborhoods impacted by the fires are still being inspected and assessed as displaced residents, many who lost everything, have begun the process to recover and rebuild.

BRUIN STORIES

Within the UCLA community, it is estimated that the fires affected more than 22,000 alumni who were living in the evacuation zones. Each home, each business lost to the fires tells the story of a family. On Jan. 7, Jane Szutu Permaul, Ed.D. ’70, left her house for a doctor's appointment. The UCLA alumna and retired assistant vice chancellor for UCLA Student Affairs has lived in her Palisades home for more than 50 years. By the time she left the doctor’s office, she could see smoke in the distance as her phone exploded with calls and messages.

Jane Permaul

She went home, grabbed a few essentials, and raced to pick up her daughter in Santa Monica — a 20-minute drive that took two and a half hours. A text alerted her of the evacuation order. She says, “I don't think our house was burned on the first day. I think it just became so overwhelming for the firefighters. The wind was just blowing in such a way it was just ridiculous to even think about saving it.”

She and her daughter stayed with her son who lives in Sherman Oaks. They thought about finding a rental on the Westside, but she says, “It was too difficult. Landlords were hiking up the rates. It calmed down now, but it was just ridiculous.”

Instead of focusing on her loss, Permaul prefers to focus on positive things she can be grateful for. She says, “I believe in positive thinking and problem solving rather than harping on something that you can't do anything about. You lost your house. So, what do you do next? That's how we managed.”

Her Palisades neighbors have been a source of strength. She says they started a group chat, “We call ourselves the loopers, because of the shape of our block. If you need something as minor as a scanner, or as big as a contractor, everybody shares their knowledge and their connections and whatever else is needed to make life easy for all of us.” Eighty percent of the neighborhood plans to rebuild, and she anticipates their bond will be stronger than ever.

Her passport had been destroyed, so she went to the FEMA disaster recovery center at UCLA Research Park (formerly Westside Pavilion). Within 30 minutes, she had completed the application, and the fees had been waived. Her new passport arrived in 10 days.

She says she’s been impressed with how government agencies have coordinated and cooperated to help those in need. The disaster response brought together the federal government, including FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the governor of California and state senators, as well as county and city officials. These entities have worked together to introduce legislation to expedite the recovery and mitigate the bureaucracy.

Since retiring 24 years ago, Permaul is still active in several UCLA organizations, including UCLA Faculty Women's Club, the UCLA Emeriti Association and the UCLA Retirees Association. She has had an outpouring of support from Bruins. She says, “To this day, I am getting little notes or emails, and sometimes little gifts. I got a box from my former executive assistant that was filled with UCLA swag.”

As a die-hard Bruin basketball fan, she told a story of when she went to a game shortly after the fire. “A friend handed me a bag full of file folders, paper, stamps and envelopes. Soon enough, I had to get things organized, and I was so grateful for the gift. The thoughtfulness helps a great deal in making this easier.” She continues, “I've very seldom received contributions, gifts and donations. I always thought somebody else needs it more than I do. I have learned how important it is to not only give but to graciously receive.”

Allegra Mancuso ’86, M.Ed. ’89, M.A. ’97, Ph.D. ’01, is a quadruple Bruin with a doctorate in education. She and her husband bought their home in the Pacific Palisades in 1993 and raised their family there. With her children now grown and living out of state, Mancuso was home the morning of Jan. 7 with the family dog. She recalls, “From my backyard, I could see little fires across the hill. I thought, this is bad. We have to get out of here.” She took a few pieces of clothing, some personal items and paperwork, along with her Bernese Mountain dog and a large bin of dog food. She also took a photo of her parents and a Madonna and child statue from Italy that had been in her family for generations. She says, “I remember walking through the house thinking we’ll be back tonight or tomorrow.”

They evacuated to her mother-in-law's house, and it was there they learned their home had been destroyed. “First, it's fight or flight. Then you're in disbelief, you're in shock. But the brain is wired for hope. Your brain makes you survive because hope is right there.” Mancuso views her experience with the larger perspective of the many crises happening around the world each day. She says, “I don't have anger. That's the one feeling I don’t have, it's the sadness, the anxiety, the loss and pain.”

Her sister, a doctor in northern California, immediately took off work to come to Los Angeles. She says, “The community was amazing and our friends who don't live in the Palisades came to our rescue. There was a lot of support around, so it felt really kind. But we were the people who always donated, and receiving can be an uncomfortable feeling.”

For her, the loss of her close-knit neighborhood hit the hardest. As the family tried to rent an interim home, she was also faced with skyrocketing rental costs, which sometimes increased overnight. But she has been touched by the outpouring of community support. Boutiques, many locally owned, have offered free clothing and other items to fire victims.

“All the gestures of support make such a difference in lifting your spirits and reminding you that you’re part of a larger community.”

After the fire, they had to determine what their insurance would cover. She says, “My advice is to take photos of everything in your house, and to know where everything is in case of an evacuation. It was incredibly helpful to have photos to send to the insurance company.”

That week, they met friends for dinner. When they asked for their bill, the waiter shared that it had been taken care of by another diner. He told them, “The customer at the neighboring table overheard your conversation and she paid for you. She just wanted to do something to help.”

A few weeks later, she was in the same neighborhood with her sister-in-law shopping for clothes. The store clerk approached Mancuso to let her know that a fellow shopper, a young woman also shopping that day, had overheard their conversation and left a $100 gift certificate for her. She says, “All the gestures of support make such a difference in lifting your spirits and reminding you that you’re part of a larger community.”

To help others, like Permaul and Mancuso, replace their lost Bruinwear, UCLA Alumni is coordinating a Bruin Gear Pop-up on Thursday, June 22, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly Street in Pasadena. Alumni can bring their new and slightly used UCLA apparel for Bruins who lost it all in the fires.

WESCOM’S RELIEF EFFORTS

The Wescom motto is “people helping people,” and with its headquarters in Pasadena, and more than 40% of their members in the communities impacted by the wildfires, providing support was a top priority. As the official banking partner of UCLA Alumni, Athletics, Campus Life and Recreation, Wescom Financial’s charitable foundation stepped up to help.

Immediately following the wildfires, Wescom launched a member and community giving campaign that raised over $273,000 in grants and financial assistance. These funds went directly to supporting people in need, including $9,000 for the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation; $157,000 for the American Red Cross; and $107,000 in direct relief to victims. They also distributed 75 emergency loans totaling $283,000 and 81 loan deferments. To help their employees who had been directly impacted by the fires, Wescom created an employee relief fund of $100,000.

Beyond the financial support, Wescom's direct involvement in relief efforts comes from their commitment to their community. With their headquarters across the street from the Pasadena Convention Center FEMA disaster recovery site, they were able to spring into action by opening up their parking lot to assist with the substantial number of volunteers and donations arriving. Additionally, their team members volunteered to help coordinate a donation drive at the Pasadena Job Center in collaboration with the Credit Union League. They opened their item processing center and donated apparel, bags, reusable water bottles, mobile chargers, power banks, dog food and lunch for volunteers, along with plush toys, blankets, coloring sheets and crayons for children.

Wescom has stated they intend to make a long-term investment in the recovery, with a sustained commitment to rebuilding and healing.

UCLA EXPERTS

As the rebuilding begins, UCLA experts across campus, from environmental studies and urban planning to medicine, psychology and biology, have been providing analysis, guidance and hands-on assistance with all aspects of fire recovery and rebuilding, as well as pressing ecological and environmental concerns. 

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Cert. ʼ14 recently announced a blue-ribbon commission that will leverage that UCLA expertise across campus to create policy recommendations for a safe and resilient rebuilding effort.

At the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, faculty and students are supporting community recovery initiatives that emphasize the need for long-term wildfire resilience strategies and technological innovation. Sanjay Mohanty, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UCLA, is working with Community Action Project–Los Angeles to test soil and water samples from yards, gardens and pools free of charge. The program expedites the recovery process while empowering home and business owners. Mohanty is developing climate-resilient solutions for remediating contaminated land and water.

The fires burned for 24 days, and more than 16,000 structures were destroyed. A report from UCLA Anderson economists Zhiyun Li and William Yu suggests that the total losses may be between $95 and $164 billion. They argue for long-term investments in wildfire mitigation to protect from higher insurance premiums, health risks, and unaffordable housing and rental units.

Along with the damage, there remain questions about the fires’ impact on the environment. In Altadena, four months after the wildfires, wildlife is beginning to return to the Eaton Fire burn area. UCLA researchers are monitoring plant and wildlife recovery in the Chaney Trail Corridor. Stephanie Landregan, director of the landscape architecture and horticulture and gardening programs for UCLA Extension, is part of a small team led by Altadena residents making a record of the trees that weren’t destroyed by fire. They will use their findings to advocate for protecting the trees instead of removing them.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

UCLA established the Bruin Wildfire Relief Funds to assist students, faculty, staff and researchers who have been impacted by this tragedy. Rebuilding and recovery will take years and will require a large-scale mobilization. But if there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that Bruins are here to help.

Below is a list of UCLA opportunities.

If you are impacted by the fires and are in need of support, please reach out to community@alumni.ucla.edu.   

Recent Articles

Q&A With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ʼ69

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n May 12 at 6:30 p.m. in UCLA’s Ackerman Grand Ballroom and on Zoom, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ’69 — Bruin legend, NBA icon, bestselling author and lifelong advocate for equality — will launch his powerful new memoir, “We All Want to Change the World: My Journey Through Social Justice Movements from the 1960s to Today” in a special fireside chat.

A UCLA standout who led the Bruins to three consecutive NCAA championships (1967–69), Abdul-Jabbar went on to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a six-time champion. Off the court, he has spent decades championing justice, education and equality.

Co-authored with Raymond Obstfeld, the memoir recounts a pivotal 1964 meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that sparked Abdul-Jabbar’s lifelong commitment to activism. From Civil Rights and women’s liberation to environmentalism and anti-war movements, the book traces both his advocacy and personal growth — highlighting the evolution of his beliefs, his deepening empathy and his enduring conviction that “no one is free unless everyone is free.” Despite the obstacles to change, his message is rooted in hope and the transformative potential of each generation.

You’ve transitioned from athlete to activist to cultural ambassador over the course of your life. How have these different roles shaped your perspective on social change — and how did your time at UCLA help lay the foundation for your activism?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: I was at UCLA during the height of many of the protest movements that shaped our country over the coming decades. As a student, I participated in some peaceful protests. When I was asked to join the Olympic basketball team in 1968 I refused because I couldn’t be a spokesperson for a country that was openly and actively repressing the rights of Black people. I also wouldn’t support the head of the Olympic committee, who was a known racist and anti-Semite. While at UCLA, I also participated in the Cleveland Summit in which a group of famous Black athletes offered their support to Muhammad Ali, who was being persecuted for his antiwar stance.

My activism since then was to be a symbol of a Black athlete who cared as much about his country and the people in it as he did about championships and selling sneakers. Sometimes that involved active participation in a protest, sometimes it involved writing books to promote Black achievements. Sometimes it involved traveling the world to represent America’s true values.

What inspired you to write “We All Want to Change the World” at this particular moment in history?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The election of President Trump in 2016 was a shocking revelation that the country was on a path of abandoning its core principles. They were openly embracing a racist, a misogynist and a liar. That was a symptom of a bad infection spreading through America that with his re-election in 2024 has now worsened into a disease bringing us to our knees. It’s terrible that it’s gotten this far, but part of the cure is to wake up to the reality that we’ve let an irrational, incompetent, torch-carrying mob take over and we need to do something about it.

The book is a history of Americans “doing something about it” that I hope will inspire people today to reclaim the values expressed in our Constitution. America’s legacy is of a nation that protests against injustice and this book celebrates that legacy.

In the book, you describe public protest as a vital tool for change. How has your view of activism evolved since you first became involved in social movements?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: I started my activism as a teenager in the sixties focusing my efforts on civil rights because that’s what affected me directly. But as the Civil Rights Movement grew, so did the Free Speech Movement, the antiwar movement, the women’s rights movement and the gay rights movement. I began to understand that they were all the same movement, like different rooms in the same burning house. In order to save one room, you had to save all the rooms. I came to realize that unless everyone is free, no one was free. And that has been my goal ever since.

You cover a wide range of movements. What common threads did you find across these different causes?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The members of each marginalized group were made to feel like they were outsiders who didn’t love their country because they found fault with it. They were told by those in power that all they had to do was wait and eventually they would get their rights. But history tells us that rights are only conveyed when the marginalized rise up and protest the injustice. The only rights gained are those demanded.

Those in power always create a public relations campaign characterizing anyone criticizing those in power as traitors, communists, Marxists, socialists and other buzz words that have no real meaning anymore. A wise leader would listen to the people and try to address their concerns. But our leaders too often are businesspeople more interested in enriching themselves at the expense of the people. Henry David Thoreau said, “The rich man…is always sold to the institution which makes him rich.” So, they will protect their income as long as possible, no matter the cost to others. That is the common thread of the oppressors. The common thread of the protestors across all movements is to reject the oppressor’s immorality disguised as patriotism and focus on bettering the country rather than their bank accounts.

What advice would you give to younger generations who may feel overwhelmed or disillusioned about their ability to create change?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: It always felt overwhelming — and it always will. People who think their rights are safe are often unmotivated to help others be free, even though it is in their best interest. The job of the activist is to show them why it is in their best interest.

The most important thing to remember is that the fight is never won. There is no championship ring at the end — just another fight. The victories are incremental and once won, have to be maintained. Too many people don’t know enough history to learn from it and so must repeat the same mistakes over and over. We’re there to keep pushing that boulder up the hill, no matter how many times it rolls back down. Because if it rolls all the way down, it crushes everyone’s hopes.

You have a deep history with UCLA; what’s the significance of you launching this book in Westwood?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: UCLA was where the adult version of me was born. Coach Wooden taught us basketball, sure, but mostly he was interested in teaching us how to be good, moral men. He taught us discipline and drive, but also compassion and courage. My classes honed my mind, making me more educated in history, a better critical thinker, and taught me how to be a better writer. My interaction with other students developed my sense of community and commitment to larger causes that affected everyone, not just me personally.

Finally, at your upcoming UCLA event, you’ll be discussing the evolution of protest. Without giving too much away, can you share a preview of a key insight you plan to highlight?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: I want to remind everyone that protest is in America’s DNA. The country was founded on protests like the Boston Tea Party. Every right that we take for granted right now was the result of Americans directly protesting, including the abolition of slavery, women’s right to vote, LGBTQ rights, anti-child labor laws, the 40-hour week, and so much more. Almost always, protesters are ridiculed by the general public until more and more people see the wisdom of their protest and choose to join in. That is the real American Way.

For information and to register for the book launch and fireside chat, please visit the website or e-mail events@alumni.ucla.edu.

Recent Articles

Then and Now: On Janss Steps - 1929 and 2025

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wo years after changing its name from “Southern Branch of the University of California,” the school now known as UCLA moved from Vermont Avenue to a sparsely developed area of gently rolling terrain in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains between the coast and Beverly Hills. In this photo (inset), we see dignitaries at opening day of the new Westwood campus in September 1929.

Optimism was high with the Roaring Twenties seemingly showing no signs of slowing and a beautiful new campus taking shape in a city undergoing a population boom fueled by film, oil, manufacturing and tourism.

The men in the historical photo are dressed in a fashion that is now reserved for the most special of occasions – with suits and hats the order of the day. And while this certainly was a special occasion, the general appearance of a crowd at any public event in those days would have not been significantly different. The only two men not wearing a tie are also hatless; their attire must have been the 1929 equivalent of shorts and flip flops. The 2025 visitors in the photo would have looked quite out of place on opening day, with not a collared shirt in site.

The opening day visitors are walking down Janss Steps, constructed in 1928-29, designed by architect George W. Kelham and named after the real estate development company that donated the land on which UCLA sits. In the background is the iconic architectural symbol of the University, Royce Hall. In front of the visitors, as they head west down the steps was…not much. To see what their view would have been, check out this UCLA Alumni Then and Now retrospective.

Photo Challenge

For a chance to be featured in a future article and posted on social media, share with us a Then & Now photo of yourself on the same spot on campus during two different time periods. Or just send an old photo of yourself on campus and we’ll superimpose it over an image with the same backdrop, similar to the photo above. Send photos to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

Historical photo courtesy of Water and Power Associates.

Visit the "Then and Now" archive.

Recent Articles

Bruin-Owned Businesses: Tech

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ur next feature in the Bruin-owned Business series highlights tech entrepreneurs and their companies. Explore the world of AI, online legal and food ordering services, education and business solutions for your personal and professional needs.

Grad Pad

Founder: Rondale Davis, MBA ’23     

Grad Pad
Social Networking Platform

Website: gradpad.online

Email: rondaledavis@gradpad.io

Social: @grad.pad

About:

Enhance your institution’s alumni or professional network with ongoing digital and in-person events that keep your community connected all year round. We break down barriers by engaging alumni through tailored interactions that reflect your network’s unique interests, values and experiences — unlocking fresh opportunities and fostering genuine connections.

Review:

“Grad Pad has been instrumental in helping us build bridges and break down silos within our program. These connections are key to our success as a top-tier MBA program, and the platform has provided a great way for students, alumni and faculty to stay engaged with one another. It really brings people together and strengthens the community, which is invaluable for a program like ours.” - Dylan S.

DriverFly

Founder: Julia Pasternack ’09    

DriverFly
Software for Recruiting/Hiring Drivers

Website: driverfly.co

Email: info@driverfly.co

Social: @driver_hiring

Phone: 714-340-5502

About:

At DriverFly, we build software to enhance the bond you have with your drivers. We believe that the key to successful CDL recruiting lies in understanding and fostering personal, meaningful relationships between drivers and employers. Through automation technology, our software is built to maximize those relationships through increased engagement and reach.

Review:

“I highly recommend this company to anyone hiring drivers. Their customer support team is very helpful in answering my questions and resolving any issues. I recently started using DriverFly's ATS and am pleasantly surprised. System is easy to navigate for tracking hires.” - Anonymous

Decipher Something

Co-Founder: Chalisa Prarasri ’14     

Decipher Something
Deconstructing Concepts With AI

Website: deciphersomething.com

Email: hi@deciphersomething.com

Social: @decipher.something

About:

Democratizing science, one term at a time. Written by GenAI, verified by experts. Prof Bot is writing a database with millions of terms, acronyms and techniques.

Review:

“Reduced the amount of tangential research I had to do to decipher techniques and terminology." - Student

Idea Maker

Founder: Thomas Kwon ’92, M.S. ’95, Ph.D. ’98     

Idea Maker
Technology Solutions for Small Businesses

Website: ideamaker.agency

Email: tom@ideamaker.agency

Social: @ideamakeragency

Phone: 949- 444-2526

About:

Thomas Kwon founded Idea Maker in 2016 to provide boutique development solutions to small businesses and start-ups in Orange County and the greater Californian areas. Following a career as a software engineer, Kwon has long-standing experience in web and application development, making him an expert developer. He chose the company name Idea Maker because, as you may have guessed, we aim to make your ideas a reality.

Review:

“Idea Maker's portfolio is what drew us in. Their design style was in alignment with what we were after. We had initial consultations with three companies that we had narrowed it down to. Once we had our initial meeting with Tom at Idea Maker we knew we had the right choice to make. Their communication style works well for us.” - Oscar M.

DivorceHelp123

Founder: Debra Mignola’90    

DivorceHelp123
Technology for Family Law

Website: divorcehelp123.com

Email: support@divorcehelp123.com

Social: @divorcehelp123

About:

DivorceHelp123 is a family law software designed to streamline the legal process for family lawyers and their clients, helping with form filling, deadline tracking and overall organization.

Review:

“As the managing partner of King Law Offices, PC, I can confidently say that we absolutely love using DivorceHelp123. This innovative program has revolutionized the way we handle family law cases and has made a huge impact on the way we provide legal services to our clients.

 DivorceHelp123 is an incredibly powerful tool that helps our team of family lawyers fill out forms, track important deadlines and stay organized throughout the entire legal process. The program is user-friendly and intuitive, which means that our attorneys can focus on providing top-quality legal representation to our clients without worrying about the logistics.” - Brian K.

Mint Mobile

Founder: David Glickman, M.A. ’94     

Mint Mobile
Mobile Virtual Network Operator

Website: mintmobile.com

Social: @Mintmobile

Phone: 800-683-7392

About:

Mint Mobile is a wireless service provider that operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) on T-Mobile’s network in the United States. It offers affordable prepaid phone plans by selling service in multi-month packages rather than traditional monthly billing.

Review:

"Their customer service is exceptional. Not only are they friendly, but they are actually able to help you. I wish more companies had customer service like this." - Natasha D.

LegalZoom

Co-Founder: Brian Lee ’93, J.D. ’96     

LegalZoom
Legal Technology

Website: legalzoom.com

Email: support@legalzoom.com

Social: @LegalZoom

Phone: 888-379-0854

About:

LegalZoom is an online legal technology and services company founded in 2001, specializing in providing accessible legal solutions to individuals and small businesses. LegalZoom offers a variety of services, including legal document preparation, business formation and access to independent attorneys.

Review:

"I didn't have time to go through an attorney and I figured it would be easier going through LegalZoom... They did all the paperwork for the LLC and everything went great." - James

Blizzard Entertainment

Co-Founders:
Michael Morhaime ’90, Allen Adham ’90, Frank Pearce ’90             

Blizzard Entertainment
Video Game Development and Publishing

Website: blizzard.com/en-us

Social: @blizzard

About:

Blizzard Entertainment is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software, and the company is renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games, including World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Hearthstone®, StarCraft®, and Diablo®.

Review:

“From the moment I stepped foot into Diablo 4, I was greeted by a breathtaking world meticulously crafted by the visionary minds at Blizzard Entertainment. The attention to detail is second to none, with hauntingly beautiful environments that simultaneously evoke a sense of dread and wonder. Every corner of this world pulsates with life, and the atmospheric graphics draw you in, making it impossible to escape its grasp.” - D.B.

ChowNow

Co-Founder: Eric Jaffe ’00    

ChowNow
Online Food Ordering Platform

Website: chownow.com

Email: support@chownow.com

Social: @chownow

Phone: 888-707-2469

About:

For over a decade, ChowNow has been building tech for food people, so restaurant owners can save money, staff members can save time and diners can order better. Because when restaurants thrive, they can keep serving food that gives your community its unique flavor. We want to keep it that way.

Review:

“We are an experienced user of the ChowNow platform, using it here at our location for 8 years. ChowNow provides us with a simple and effective tool, providing our guests with online ordering. Using this we are able to offer a simple way for our customers to interact with our menu and drive repeat business. The information gathered helps us keep customers returning..” - Kent G.

Hatch Labs

Founder: Eva Agapaki, M.S. ’15    

Hatch Labs
AI Product Development and Market Strategists

Website: hatchlabs.ai

Email: eva@hatchlabs.ai

Social: @hatchlabs.ai

Phone: 626-460-8050

About:

Our program was conceived from a fervent passion for cultivating innovative products that are either rooted in rigorous research or address complex engineering challenges. Our mission is to empower deep tech entrepreneurs and innovative larger businesses, enabling them to fully realize their potential and successfully introduce their groundbreaking ideas to the market. Our founder, Dr. Eva Agapaki, brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. With a strong background in AI product development, technical research and product-market fit (PMF) strategy, she is ideally positioned to elevate your early-stage idea to new heights.

Review:

"This is a very professional space with solid leadership for entrepreneurs.” - The Photographer

GoGuardian

Founder: Todd Mackey, MBA ’91     

GoGuardian
Digital Learning and Student Safety Solutions

Website: goguardian.com

Email: hello@goguardian.com

Social: @goguardian

Phone: 888-310-0410

About:

GoGuardian is an education technology company that provides digital learning and student safety solutions for K-12 schools. The platform offers a suite of tools designed to help educators manage classrooms, monitor online activity, filter content and ensure student well-being in digital learning environments.

Review:

“I love the fact that I can quietly get students back on track without disturbing the entire class. That I can close windows when they are off their assigned task.” - Margie W.   

Robinhood

Co-Founder: Vlad Tenev, M.A. ’10     

Robinhood
Financial Trading App

Website: robinhood.com/us/en

Email: support@robinhood.com

Social: @robinhoodapp

About:

Robinhood is a U.S.-based financial services company that offers a mobile app facilitating commission-free trades of stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cryptocurrencies. Founded in 2013 by Vladimir Tenev and Baiju Bhatt, Robinhood's mission is to democratize finance for all by providing access to financial markets without commissions or minimum account balances.

Review:

“I love trading crypto and stocks on Hood. I’ve had lots of winning, lots of luck on the site. I love the technology. The graphs and quotes are very detailed and helps me make decisions. Some other brokers don't have good charts, slow tech. Great service. I was called several times after I emailed. Doing very well, very happy. I definitely recommend you to try it. It's fun and relaxing. Some other brokers make trading seem like unnecessary neck choking.” - Ocean

Tutorfly

Founder: Parsa Rezvani ’18     

Tutorfly
Online Tutoring

Website: tutorfly.com

Email: info@tutorfly.org

Social: @tutorfly

Phone: 424-653-6159

About:

Tutorfly was founded with the vision of creating an accessible tutoring marketplace that could deliver high-quality tutoring services while simultaneously fostering connections between students and individual tutors who could serve as role models. Today, Tutorfly.com extends its reach to thousands of families across the United States, offering affordable and accessible online tutoring services.

Review:

“My experience with Tutorfly has been amazing from the beginning. I think that the partnership between Butler and Tutorfly is invaluable. We have made a huge difference in these kids' lives (and) we're working toward that achievement gap. I know it has made a big difference in helping our teachers by allowing us to have smaller groups." - Mrs. Rouse

ThousandEyes

Co-founder: Mohit Lad, M.S. ’04, Ph.D. ’07     

ThousandEyes
Network Intelligence

Website: thousandeyes.com

Email: facebook@thousandeyes.com

Social: @thousandeyes

About:

ThousandEyes provides a holistic view of all connected elements of digital experience across the networks, apps, and infrastructure that organizations own — as well as those they do not own — so they can ultimately get a deep understanding of digital experiences and can take or automate actions to assure them.

Review:

“The data and insight you see when monitoring your network and application availability using Thousand Eyes is truly unbelievable. As its agents are embedded into the network just like a client, the view is from the client's perspective.” - Kevin A.

Liquid Inc.

Founder: Saujin Yi, MBA ’07 

Liquid Inc.
Online Digital Identity Verification

Website: liquidinc.asia/global

About:

Liquid offers a seamless digital onboarding process by conducting online digital identity verification, thus preventing user drop-off. Our solution can be tailored to meet compliance with various regulations, including AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and other specific regulatory requirements relevant to your business.

Review:

“Liquid Inc. helped us achieve a secure and safe gaming environment. Our security measures, including user identification during emergencies and prevention of impersonation, contributed to maintaining a secure environment.” - S.U.P.

***

To submit a Bruin-owned business for future consideration, please send a note to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

All Bruin-Owned Business Articles

Recent Articles

Adam Bell ’91, Cert. ’03, and Cushon Bell ’93 share the devastating impact of the Eaton Canyon wildfire on their Bruin family

UPDATE Dec. 17, 2025: Since sharing their story, Adam Bell ’91, Cert. ’03 and Cushon Bell ’93 have continued to make steady progress in their rebuilding journey. They recently secured long-term housing that will provide stability for the next two and a half years as they work through the recovery process. The Bells also shared that they are close to finalizing both an architect and a contractor for their home rebuild and hope to complete those arrangements by the end of December. Their commitment to returning to Altadena remains strong as they take the next steps toward rebuilding the home and community they love. 

For Adam Bell ’91, Cert.’03 and Cushon Bell ’93, Altadena was more than just a place to live — it was home for over two decades. In this Diversity Digest spotlight, Adam and Cushon Bell recount how their Bruin family lost their home in Altadena to the Eaton Canyon wildfire and express the challenges that they face as they aim to one day return to their beloved neighborhood.

A Family Rooted in UCLA

Longtime Altadena residents Adam and Cushon Bell have deep ties to UCLA. The couple met on campus during their undergraduate years, and their connection to the university has remained strong — raising all three of their sons as a Bruin household, their youngest a current first-year at UCLA.

“They grew up going to football games at the Rose Bowl,” Adam Bell recalled. “We’ve been a Bruin family for a long time.”

Adam, a history major who later transitioned into software development, and Cushon, a sociology graduate who worked as an elementary school teacher and later in local government, chose Altadena as their home in 2001. It was an affordable, family-friendly enclave with a rich cultural history and strong community ties. They never expected a wildfire to change their lives overnight.

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The Night Everything Changed

On the night of the fire, strong winds rattled their windows, but after years of experiencing windstorms and nearby fires in the foothills, they weren’t overly concerned. Power outages made it difficult to follow the news, and no official evacuation order had been issued for their street.

“We thought we’d ride it out like we always had,” Adam said. “We went to dinner when the power went out, thinking we’d be back home soon.”

But while they were out, texts from concerned neighbors started coming in, warning them of a rapidly spreading fire. By the time they returned to their street, the sky was glowing red in the distance. Even then, they believed they had time.

At around 3 a.m., still without an official evacuation order and unable to see through the thickening smoke, they made the decision to leave. Adam and Cushon packed a bag and grabbed their most critical documents and left their family home. By 6 a.m., their neighbor who had returned to grab some belongings reported back that their homes were engulfed in flames.

“We left maybe an hour before the fire reached our home,” Adam said. “We had no idea how close it was.”

Video of Active Fire

Returning to Devastation

A few days later, Adam and Cushon were able to return to their address. What they saw was shocking.

“You have to see it in person to fully grasp the devastation,” Adam said. “Blocks and blocks of homes just gone.”

Even some of the oldest homes in the area — structures built in the late 1800s that had withstood over a century of storms, earthquakes and fires — were reduced to rubble. Their home, built in 1926, was no exception.

Adding to the heartbreak was the realization that firefighting efforts were severely hampered by the lack of water supply. “Some of our neighbors told us they had fireballs hitting their homes,” Adam said. “But when firefighters arrived, there was no water left in the hydrants.”

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Video of Post-Fire

Rebuilding and Moving Forward Together

Since the fire, Adam and Cushon have been navigating the complexities of recovery. They established a GoFundMe, their insurance carrier has been helpful, but the process of finding architects, contractors and dealing with their mortgage company has been exhausting. They are currently staying with a family friend but are searching for a more permanent place to reside while they rebuild.

“We lost everything,” Cushon said. “But we’re determined to come back.”

One of the biggest concerns is the future of Altadena itself, a diverse and historically Black neighborhood. With developers eager to buy up land from displaced homeowners, there is a fear that the close-knit community they loved could change forever.

“A lot of people are saying, ‘Altadena is not for sale,’” Adam said. “But not everyone can afford to rebuild. Some people have no choice but to leave.”

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Finding Strength in Community

Despite the overwhelming loss, Adam and Cushon have found strength in the outpouring of support from friends, family, and their extended Bruin network. Their sons’ universities, Morehouse College, Tufts and UCLA, reached out to support. Adam’s fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, also provided direct assistance. Even their longtime gardener, who had cared for their street’s homes for decades, was devastated by their loss and has checked in regularly.

“There’s been so much support, it’s been overwhelming,” Cushon said. “But it’s also a reminder that people care.”

Their message to others impacted by disasters like this: Accept help.

“People want to help, even if they don’t always know how,” Adam said. “Let them. It helps them as much as it helps you.”

For now, the focus is on rebuilding — not just their home, but their sense of normalcy. As they look toward the future, they hold onto hope that Altadena will retain the community spirit that made it home for so many years.

“We’ll be back,” Adam said. “We have to be.”

Recent Articles

UCLA AAP Alumni Spotlight - Dr. Efrain Talamantes '02, M.D. '08, M.S. '14

Class of 2002 – B.S., Psychobiology, UCLA

Class of 2007 – M.B.A., Emory University, Goizueta School of Business, Atlanta, GA

Class of 2008 – M.D., David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Class of 2014 – M.S. in Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA

Q&A WITH DR. TALAMANTES

Can you tell us about your current professional role, the company you're with, and the industry you're part of?

I

serve as the Chief Operations Officer at AltaMed Health Services. AltaMed is the nation’s largest federally qualified health center (FQHC), with over 60 sites throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, where we serve over half a million patients annually. Our mission is to eliminate disparities in healthcare access and outcomes by providing quality health and human services through an integrated world-class delivery system for Latino, multi-ethnic, and underserved communities throughout Southern California. This organization's mission aligns with my purpose and core values as a Latino physician leader who grew up locally in Norwalk and is a first-generation college graduate from a mixed-status family.

What does AAP mean to you? What impact has it had on you personally or professionally?

I am proud to have participated in AAP while at UCLA. Like many of my peers, I am grateful for the services AAP offers and the relationships built during my participation. AAP served as a lifeline and offered services that positively impacted my experience as an undergraduate student. By participating in AAP, I was able to meet like-minded individuals who share similar purposes in serving historically disinvested communities.

How has AAP impacted your personal and professional development and success? Any specific ways you’ve seen AAP’s influence in your career or personal growth?

As an undergraduate, AAP gave me the foundation to excel at UCLA. Like many first-generation college students from low-income and diverse backgrounds, I struggled to adjust to the UC system and the rigor of UCLA. AAP’s peer mentorship, tutoring, counseling services, and resources helped me bridge the gap and maximize my potential. As the first physician in my family, I learned the importance of academic excellence through AAP and used what I learned through AAP to propel me throughout my academic journey.

How have you stayed connected to AAP? Do you participate in events, mentorship, or any other initiatives that keep you engaged with the AAP community?

Yes, I continue to engage with AAP leadership and alumni leaders to ensure we are able to support the next generation of leaders graduating from UCLA and participating in AAP. I firmly believe in the power of mentorship and support in various methods through networking with current students, offering professional development opportunities, and supporting the AAP scholarship fund as a donor. Furthermore, at AltaMed, we regularly offer internship and summer program opportunities for pre-health students and offer these opportunities to UCLA students and alumni.

For more information regarding these opportunities, students can contact:
altamedsummerprogram@altamed.org
Erick Leyva Bedolla – elbedolla@altamed.org

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