Leaders Conference

Paco Retana ’87, M.S.W. ’90, President, UCLA Alumni Association

For nearly 35 years, Paco Retana has dedicated his career to supporting vulnerable youth and marginalized communities in Los Angeles. As Chief Program Officer at Wellnest, he leads clinical programs, strategic planning, and training, advancing their mission to provide accessible, high-quality mental health services through innovative prevention and early intervention initiatives. Paco has also supported organizations like First 5 LA, Watts Gang Task Force, and The California Endowment with professional development, crisis intervention, and counseling services.

A UCLA alumnus with a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in social work, Paco is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Luskin Senior Fellow. He has held key roles with the LA County Department of Mental Health and serves on the UCLA Order of the Blue Shield. Recognized for his impact, Paco has received the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice and honors from NAMI Urban Los Angeles.

Yolanda Gorman ’78, MBA ’83, PH.D. ’93, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Chief of Staff

Dr. Gorman serves as Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at UCLA, where she provides strategic leadership across the university’s $9 billion portfolio. As Chief Strategy Officer, she co-led the campus-wide strategic planning process and manages critical projects, offering operational, policy, and strategic guidance. Previously, she was President and CEO of Phillips Graduate University and is a recognized expert in strategic planning and organizational development, with extensive experience advising nonprofits, city governments, and educational institutions. Through Gorman Partners, LLC, she has secured over $100 million in funding for programs addressing critical human needs.

A dedicated civic leader, Dr. Gorman is a governor's appointee to the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, a Los Angeles County Commissioner for Women, and Regent Emerita for the UC Board of Regents. She is the first African American woman to lead the UCLA Alumni Association Board and continues to mentor leaders through the African American Board Leadership Institute. A triple UCLA graduate, Dr. Gorman holds a B.A. in psychology, an M.B.A. in accounting and small business management, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology with a minor in clinical psychology and psychiatry.

Katie Ward, Ed.D., Chief Strategy Officer at UCLA Alumni

Dr. Katie Ward is the inaugural Chief Strategy Officer for UCLA’s alumni engagement team, overseeing digital engagement, technology transformation, operations, data analytics, strategic planning, and innovation. Passionate about enhancing the alumni experience, she fosters lifelong connections to the university. As a higher education leader, Katie has developed partnerships and programs to serve students and alumni at UCLA, University of Denver, Pepperdine University, Santa Monica College, and The New School University, as well as supporting the University of California, Office of the President to launch a system-wide approach to alumni career engagement.

Katie holds an undergraduate degree in Human Development from Cornell University, a master’s in psychology and a master’s in education from Columbia University, and a doctorate in leadership and learning from Vanderbilt University.

Laura Gonzalez, Director of Development, Financial Aid and Scholarships

Laura joined the UCLA Office of Scholarships and Student Support Initiatives March 2024 as Director of Development for Financial Aid and Scholarships. Her work focuses on building pipelines for long-term scholarship support. Laura joined UCLA after eight years in development at USC where she held positions in advancement services, annual giving, and alumni relations. Most recently she served as a major gift officer focusing on scholarship support for the USC Iovine and Young Academy, working with alumni, parents, corporate partners, and community NGOs.

Laura has a BA in Chicano/a Studies & Cultural Anthropology from UCSB and an MA in Communication Management from USC.

Juan Pablo Garces Ramirez '15, UCLA Latino Alumni Association

Juan Pablo Garces Ramirez is a proud first-generation Chicano college graduate, DACA Dreamer, and community college transfer who earned dual degrees from UCLA in 2015 while playing for the Men’s Rugby team. He began teaching in Crenshaw, Los Angeles, as a Junior at UCLA and later taught near Barcelona, Spain, before returning to Los Angeles as a middle school teacher and coach. In 2021, he earned a master’s in Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship from Harvard, concentrating on Global, International, and Comparative Education, while playing on Harvard’s rugby teams.

With over a decade of experience across public, private, and charter schools, Juan Pablo is dedicated to empowering underserved communities, particularly Latinos, through education. He currently serves as a consultant and board member for the UCLA Latino Alumni Association and UCLA Undocumented Alumni Association, fostering connections between alumni, students, and opportunities.

Cheryl Farrell '87, Founder, Storytelling for Organizations

Cheryl Farrell is an award-winning performance storyteller and corporate communications consultant. She teaches individuals how to use storytelling to improve personal and professional relationships. Her trademarked Pop-Up Storytelling for Organizations has helped hundreds of leaders and employees collaborate better by sharing stories in a strategic way. Cheryl’s eclectic career spans more than 30 years including roles as bank vice president of communications and television personality on a popular quiz show.

Cheryl earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles (’87) and has a master’s degree in communications from University of Southern California.

Marina Lemas '89, Bay Area Bruins

Marina Villalpando Lemas, Class of '89, serves as President of the Bay Area Bruins alumni network. Originally from Los Angeles, she moved to San Jose, CA in 1994 to build a marketing career in the tech industry. Marina was inspired to reconnect with UCLA alumni after her daughter was accepted into UCLA. Since Jan. 2022, she has enjoyed hosting New Bruin Send-Off events in Campbell, CA, reviewing alumni scholarship applications, and representing UCLA at high school college fairs in Castroville, Hollister, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo to inspire our next generation of Bruins.

Marina holds a BA in Sociology from UCLA and an MBA from Pepperdine University, Graziadio Business School. Find her on LinkedIn.

Ron Yee '84, UCLA Alumni Orange County Network

Ron Yee brings decades of IT leadership experience, having built agile, customer-focused teams at a Fortune 500 insurance company using the Pyramid of Success. He co-founded the Bathgate Elementary School Foundation to establish a technology lab, served on numerous PTA boards, and managed youth teams in the Destination Imagination program, fostering teamwork and innovation.

Ron served 11 years on UCLA's Parents' Council, culminating as Co-Chair, where he shared Wooden’s Wisdom with leadership. As Chair of Mission Viejo's Community of Character Committee, he mentors teens in leadership and character-building programs and promotes the city's 12 monthly character traits. Ron also serves on Mission Viejo’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

Devon Dickau ’07, MBA ’15, Director, UCLA Alumni Association

Devon Dickau is a mission-driven leader with broad experience driving social impact and transformational change across corporate, nonprofit, entertainment, and education sectors. As the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Offerings Leader at Deloitte Consulting, he co-leads a $50M+ practice advising Fortune 500 companies on DEI, social justice, and ESG issues. He has also worked as an HIV/AIDS educator in Tanzania, a social impact consultant for the entertainment industry, and co-founder of UCLA’s Parent & Family Programs.

A double Bruin (B.A., MBA) with an M.Ed. from Harvard, Devon’s work has earned accolades including UCLA Young Alumnus of the Year and recognition as a TED UCLA Campfire speaker and Poets & Quants “Favorite MBA.” A dedicated advocate for equity and inclusion, he has co-led the UCLA Lambda LGBTQ Alumni Association, served on the UCLA Young Alumni Development Council, and contributed to several civic and nonprofit boards.