Speaker Bios

“Rise to Shine”

Dr. Lauren Cook ’13, Clinical Psychologist | Speaker | Consultant

Dr. Lauren Cook is a clinical psychologist, career coach, speaker and author. She travels around the country (and from her computer screen) to provide education on how we can integrate mental health into our professional and personal lives. With more people experiencing burnout, anxiety and isolation than ever before, Dr. Lauren is committed to helping us find connection and meaning in all that we do.

Dr. Lauren began her training at UCLA, where she majored in psychology and communication studies. She earned her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of Southern California and went on to complete her doctorate in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University.

Dr. Lauren has a private practice in Pasadena called Heartship Psychological Services where she supports adults, couples and families. She specializes in treating anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome and relational struggles.

She currently lives in the Pasadena area with her husband, her young son and their Siamese cat, Mochi. When she's not having fun hosting her Brain Health book club (which you're invited to join!), she can be found on the tennis court or trying a new recipe in the kitchen.

“Back to Work(shop)”

Jessica Hekmat, MBA ’10, Brand Strategist, Coach and Facilitator, JessKimia Consulting

Jessica Sanam Hekmat is a brand strategist, business consultant and career exploration coach, working with entrepreneurs, start-ups and businesses to articulate and manifest their purpose. She also facilitates workshops and retreats offering frameworks for conscious communication and work-life integration. Jess has over 20 years of business and communications experience. With a B.S. in mass communication from Boston University, an MBA from UCLA Anderson and experience working within agencies, startups and Fortune 500 companies, Jess applies a creative and strategic approach to each project she takes on. Her clients span business and consumer tech, fashion and lifestyle, medical and wellness, non-profit and social enterprise, as well as individual coaching.

“Passion into Purpose,” a Fireside Chat

Julie Sina, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor, UCLA Alumni Affairs | CFO and COO, The UCLA Foundation and UCLA Investment Company

Julie Sina formally and officially became UCLA’s Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Affairs in December 2013 after serving in an interim capacity since February of that year, during which she demonstrated remarkable leadership skills that allowed for a creative and concerted transformation of the entire Alumni program. In partnership with the UCLA Alumni Association Board, Julie has overseen the adoption of a new alumni engagement model that has refocused alumni activity around regional and international work, young alumni involvement, attention to affinity and diversity networks, the continuum from student recruitment to career development and closer ties to alumni efforts in the professional schools and College. Members of the search committee were uniformly impressed with Julie’s dynamic vision for alumni connectivity – both within the campus and with one another. It should come as no surprise that Julie’s long and deep career in Student Affairs and board leadership prior to her arrival at UCLA evolves naturally into the realm of alumni engagement and Association partnership. Indeed, Julie’s blue and gold spirit and true Bruin values, coupled with her special talent for aligning many moving parts within a common vision made her the standout candidate. Julie served as chief of staff supporting the deans and the College prior to joining External Affairs.

In addition to Alumni Affairs, Julie leads the Advancement Services division and serves as C.F.O. and C.O.O. for the UCLA Foundation and UCLA Investment Company.

Julie earned her Ph.D. at Virginia Tech and in addition to Virginia Tech has served the University of Florida, University of the Pacific, Iowa State and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

“Passion into Purpose,” a Fireside Chat

Dr. Christina Rivera, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Internal Operations/Senior Woman Administrator, UCLA Athletics

Dr. Christina Munger-Rivera serves as the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Internal Operations/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at UCLA, having joined the staff in September 2007.

In her role, Dr. Rivera directly supervises Women's Gymnastics, Softball, administrative areas and leads department efforts, especially in the areas of internal operations, Title IX, women in sport, governance and legislation, department meetings, campus partnerships, and performance evaluation and program assessment. As a member of the Executive Team reporting directly to the director of Athletics, she serves in a leadership role for coaches and staff, and works towards establishing department goals and policies that align with University values.

“Passion into Purpose,” a Fireside Chat

Erika Brechtel ’95, Social Entrepreneur and Brand Builder for Women Leaders, Erika Brechtel | Elanoura, Inc.

As seen in Forbes and Thrive Global, UCLA alumna Erika Brechtel is a social entrepreneur and brand builder for women leaders for over 20 years. Through one-on-one consulting work, in-person masterclasses and online course development, speaking for organizations such as Fabletics, Bumble Bizz, Junior League and UCLA Anderson School of Management, and through being a mentor, angel investor, nonprofit board member and founder of social enterprise Élanoura leading volunteering impact retreats for women around the world, Erika has empowered women to move clearly and confidently in their purpose to contribute positively in their community and the world.

“Passion into Purpose,” a Fireside Chat

Alice Kao ’01, Co-founder and CEO, Sender One Climbing

Alice Kao is the co-founder and CEO of Sender One Climbing. Sender One was founded in 2012 with a straightforward mission—to create inspiring spaces where people can discover themselves and connect with others…through climbing. Prior to joining the climbing industry, Alice had a successful career as an international sales and marketing executive for four separate toy companies and, prior to that, as an investment banker. She discovered climbing in 2008 while living and selling toys in London. Climbing guided her through tough personal times and sparked her closest friendships. Alice graduated from UCLA in 2001 with a degree in International Economics. She is a member of the Entrepreneur Organization (EO) and Young Presidents Organization (YPO). She serves on the board of USA Climbing, the National Governing Body of Climbing, and is an advisory board member for Start Up UCLA. Alice resides in Torrance, California, with her husband, Wes, and their two daughters, Sydney and Adelaide.

"A Woman's Journey to Wellness and Self-Realization in Modern Medicine" 

Glenna Tolbert ’85, M.D. ’93, Founder, Tolbert Center for Rehabilitation and Wellness

Dr. Glenna Tolbert is a dual board-certified physician specializing in medicine rehabilitation and spinal cord injury medicine. She is founder of an integrative pain management and wellness center whose mission is to help patients get back to an active lifestyle. With 30 years of experience, Dr. Tolbert is not just the founder of the Tolbert Center for Rehabilitation and Wellness, but also a highly respected figure at the crossroads of medicine, law and education. Tolbert credits UCLA with instilling in her a drive to compete and be excellent. She was the recipient of the 2016-2018 David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Tutor of the Year Award and in 2017 named one of the 36 physician women leaders to know in the nation by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

“What to Expect When You're Expecting...to Purchase a Home"

Tiffany Chin ’10, Residential Real Estate Broker | Founder of The Tiffany Chin Group, The Tiffany Chin Group at Keller Williams Realty Larchmont

Tiffany’s mother is a realtor and Tiffany learned that being an agent isn’t simply about facilitating home search and sale: it’s an opportunity to provide emotional, logistic and financial stability throughout clients’ journeys. Long before Tiffany knew real estate would be her profession, she understood that trust and care were foundational to any meaningful career path.

Tiffany left her home in Fremont, California, to pursue her degree in psychology at UCLA and fell in love with L.A.’s fast pace, diverse character and vibrant food scene. After her sisters joined her here a few years later, she knew L.A. would be her forever home.

Tiffany earned her real estate salesperson’s license in 2007 and her real estate broker’s license four years later. Life hasn’t slowed down since – but she always remembers to stop and appreciate the honor of being part of her clients’ stories.

Tiffany is especially passionate about real estate as a vehicle to empower women: from mentoring her woman-owned and operated team to helping female clients build and protect their wealth.

“What to Expect When You're Expecting...to Purchase a Home"

Rachel Bigio, Realtor, The Tiffany Chin Group at Keller Williams Realty Larchmont

Born, raised and educated in the midwest, Rachel graduated from Michigan State University and moved to Chicago where she began her career in television production. Three freezing winters later she and her dog, Duke, were ready for a change – and sunshine – so they packed up and moved to California.  

Rachel spent eight years in production, including the HGTV hit "House Hunters" — enter her obsession with homes. Rachel realized that production wasn’t for her, but she loved being part of the real estate journey and saw firsthand the need for empathy and education as people navigate it. Rachel’s curiosity fueled action, and she left the small screen to earn her real estate license.

During her time at The Tiffany Chin Group, Rachel has helped clients navigate 150+ sales and purchases and looks forward to continuing to build strong relationships as she works to deliver empathetic consultation throughout their journeys. 

Rachel is honored to work for a woman-owned business and continuously seeks new ways to empower her female clients. 

“Success in the Stars”

Tamerri Ater, MBA ’23, Founder and CEO, AstroFashionista LLC

Tamerri Ater is a certified professional astrologer, Reiki practitioner and founder of Gift of the Nile, products for spiritual wellness, rooted in Ancient Egyptian ritual. With over 15 years of experience, Tamerri has advised thousands of people on how to tap into their personal gifts to align with their soul’s destiny, life purpose, career path, and improve and attract healthy relationships and partnerships.

A lover of aesthetics, Tamerri used the power of astrology to help guide her career advancements as head of product development and a global marketing professional for leading global brands Versed Skincare (founding team member), Unilever Prestige (Murad and Dermalogica), Hearst Magazines (Marie Claire) and instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising,

Tamerri merges her beauty background and mystical talents to collaborate with brands like Kinship, Smashbox, Glamglow, ColourPop, BH Cosmetics, eSalon and Awe Inspired, and has been featured on Buzzfeed, iHeartRadio, Who What Wear, Pop Sugar, Bustle, The Coveteur, Real Simple, Business of Fashion, Beauty Independent, The Cut, Total Beauty, and a multitude of panels and podcasts.

Tamerri has a B.A. In TV production from Loyola Marymount University and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management.

“Caring for the Changemaker” Panel

Dr. Jenn Wells ’07, Director of Equity and Inclusion, Marlborough School

Jenn Wells received her B.A. from UCLA in American literature and culture and a minor in education studies, M.A. degree in higher education administration from New York University, and doctorate of education in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California. Her dissertation focused on understanding the organizational influences on college chief diversity officers’ ability to impact institutional change. Jenn currently works as the inaugural director of equity and inclusion for the Marlborough School, a 7th-12th grade independent girls' school in Los Angeles, where she serves as a chief diversity officer directing campus-wide leadership, programming, and initiatives aimed at supporting the School’s commitment to equity and inclusion. Jenn is also an independent consultant providing diversity, equity and inclusion workshops focusing on implicit bias, racial justice, inclusive leadership and DEI as organizational change work. Jenn is a current board member for the Alumni Association and co-chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee.

“Caring for the Changemaker” Panel

Emily Roh ’05, Principal Coach, My Invisible Knapsack, LLC

Emily is a liberatory coach and facilitator for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and organizations who want to divest from white supremacy, capitalism and colonization. With individuals, Emily works with her clients to unpack internalized white supremacy and transform their relationships with themselves through courageous self-compassion. With groups, Emily strives to create transformational spaces so that organizations can align their actions with their values. She uses somatic and embodiment techniques to help clients get out of their heads and tap into the wisdom of their bodies. In her former life, Emily worked in education and non-profit, primarily focused on making education more equitable for low-income and/or queer youth of color. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in Asian American studies and from the University of Maryland with an M.Ed. in counseling and personnel services. Emily is a daughter of Korean immigrants, identifies as a bisexual/queer cisgender woman, and lives with her spouse and child in unceded Tongva/Kitz land, also known as Los Angeles.

“Caring for the Changemaker” Panel

Avisha Chugani ’04, Founder, SoulCare

Avisha has spent her career as a holistic counselor for first-generation, low-income, underrepresented and undocumented college and graduate students, and professionals of color. She established SoulCare after she discovered that her personal path to healing could be of benefit to many people beyond herself. Her sessions often went into the personal, spiritual, emotional, financial, career and physical aspects of wellness. As she helped others become more holistically well, she saw a need to spread her knowledge and resources beyond institutions of higher education and into our communities.

“Caring for the Changemaker” Panel

Adriana Palomares ’04, Esq., Attorney and Author

Adriana Palomares is a first-generation attorney, author, and entrepreneur. She was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. In the late ’80s, her family migrated to the U.S., seeking a brighter future and escaping the looming shadows of poverty. She was raised in an impoverished neighborhood in Los Angeles, dodging gangs and drugs. She became the first member of her family to earn a college degree. She attended UCLA and graduated with a B.A. in English. Her passion for social justice and her commitment to helping her family and community led her to pursue a career in law. She graduated from Lewis & Clark College of Law and started her legal career at a renowned national law firm in Los Angeles. While her legal journey began by defending businesses and corporations in the area of workers’ compensation law, she found her path back to public interest law, fighting for injured workers. Amidst her legal pursuits, a passion for creative writing always burned within her. Her academic background in English and her love for literature lay the foundation for her future as a published author. In October 2023 she published her debut fiction novel, "Brava, A Latina Lawyer’s Path to Empowerment." Her rich cultural background and diverse experiences converge in a narrative that celebrates the strength and resilience of first-generation Americans like herself. In her role as an entrepreneur, she has dedicated her time to promoting and preserving her Mexican culture and heritage through curating cultural experiences in various parts of Mexico. Additionally, she is an unwavering advocate for higher education within the Latinx and other underrepresented communities. She continues to share her experiences and insights as a mentor, conference panelist and motivational speaker at educational conferences, striving to inspire others to reach for their dreams.