UCLA Doctoral Candidate
Instructor
PhDs & Postdocs Career Consultant
Tillman Scholar '20 & SoCal Captain
Consultant at Dadvocacy Consulting Group
USAF Mustang, Retired
Woman of Color
Mother
Citizen of the Earth
Optimist
About
I am an experienced educator, researcher, and career consultant who excels at making complex sociological insights practical and accessible.
With a background in research, teaching, mentoring, and consulting, I help students and professionals navigate career paths and societal challenges.
I bring analytical precision, engaging communication, and a commitment to impactful, real-world applications of research.
While at UCLA...
During my time at UCLA, my research has centered on how cultural narratives shape gender, occupational competence, and caregiving, particularly in institutions and media representations.
Across my projects, I have examined how gendered expectations are performed and resisted, from newspaper portrayals of military women to social media depictions of fathers caring for infants. My dissertation analyzes how fatherhood is marketed through babywearing brands, exploring how these representations expand or restrict fathers' caregiving activities.
Through qualitative methods like content analysis and interviews, my research not only advances sociological conversations on gender and power but also provides insights that can inform media, policy, and workplace initiatives.
I have presented these findings at the American Sociological Association, published in Feminist Media Studies, and on blogs such as Advocacy Consulting Group.
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As a career consultant...
As a sociologist working with STEM PhDs and Postdocs, I know career trajectories often involve unique structural challenges and opportunities. STEM scholars develop highly specialized expertise but may struggle with translating their skills outside of academia.
My background in sociology of work, organizations, and knowledge production allows me to analyze how these challenges emerge and provide inclusive, research-informed guidance that helps STEM professionals navigate them effectively.
Additionally, STEM fields are deeply embedded in industry, academia, government, and non-profits, making career transitions particularly complex. My sociological training equips me to understand systemic barriers, professional identity shifts, and the broader labor market dynamics that shape these transitions.
This enables me to help clients identify their transferable skills, engage in complex problem-solving, and maximize their professional impact—whether they’re pursuing tenure-track roles, R&D positions, policy work, or mission-driven careers.
At the heart of my work is the belief that STEM professionals have the potential to drive meaningful change. Whether they are advancing medicine, shaping technology, or innovating for a sustainable future, their work contributes to improving the human condition and addressing global challenges like climate change.
My role is to ensure that they have the guidance, confidence, and clarity to pursue careers where they can make the greatest impact.
As a Regional Captain for Southern California with the Pat Tillman Foundation, I am honored to engage with a network of individuals who embody the virtues of service, scholarship, humble leadership, and impact—qualities that Pat Tillman exemplified throughout his life.
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Pat Tillman was renowned for his selflessness, courage, and commitment to a cause greater than himself. He left a successful NFL career to serve as an Army Ranger, demonstrating unparalleled dedication to his principles. The foundation established in his honor continues to reflect these values, selecting scholars who are dedicated to making a positive difference in the world.
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As a Tillman Scholar inducted in 2020, my mission has been to share the stories of diverse individuals who defy rigid stereotypes and employ innovative strategies for professional excellence and meaningful connections to their families and communities. This aligns with the foundation's commitment to empowering leaders who are devoted to service beyond self.
Through our collective efforts, we organize and mobilize to create a lasting impact, addressing critical issues and fostering a community rooted in the values that Pat Tillman held dear. It is a privilege to be part of this foundation, working alongside others who are committed to causes beyond themselves and striving to lead by example.
As an alum...
I serve as the 2024-2026 Secretary for the UCLA Alumni Association’s San Diego Network to foster connections among alumni, support professional development opportunities, and strengthen the local Bruin community. Committed to service and mentorship, I collaborate with fellow alumni to create engaging programs that promote networking, lifelong learning, and community impact.
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Have an idea for an event or want to get involved? I’d love to hear from you!
As an active member of the UCLA Latino Alumni Association, I support and uplift the Bruin community through mentorship, outreach, and engagement. I’ve led hikes in the greater Southern California region, organized a four-part workshop series for incoming Bruins, and mentored students through the Orgulloso Program. I’m committed to creating meaningful opportunities for growth and community.
Interested in getting involved or sharing an idea? Let’s connect!
I’ve served on career and leadership panels, mingled with undergraduates at networking events, and mentored students navigating their academic and professional paths. As a Teaching Fellow, I’ve also had the opportunity to engage directly with Chancellor Khosla, discussing the evolving needs of students and advocating for resources that support their academic and professional success.
Interested in mentorship, networking, or sharing ideas to support students? Dimé!
As a DADvocate...
(Pun intended)
As a consultant for the Dadvocacy Consulting Group (DCG), I contribute research and insights on fatherhood, masculinities, and policies that support engaged parenting. DCG is committed to expanding fatherhood beyond rigid stereotypes, advocating for policies and initiatives that empower fathers, grandfathers, and father figures to be active, nurturing participants in their children’s lives.
Through my involvement with the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F), I’ve delivered lectures on fatherhood, masculinity, and caregiving, and I designed outreach materials that elevate diverse narratives of engaged fatherhood. Additionally, I provided research for Allan Shedlin’s participation in the Fatherhood Caucus with Rep. Jimmy Gomez, where he engaged in discussions alongside Gary Barker from Equimundo, a leading advocate for gender equality and fatherhood policy.
As a mother to both a son and a daughter, I envision a world where all adults can flex their work and family lives in ways that are equitable, fulfilling, and conducive to both personal and professional growth.
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Advocating for fathers does not diminish the role of mothers—this is not a zero-sum game. Rather, when men fully embrace caregiving, emotional depth, and shared responsibility, we move closer to a society that is more humane, more equitable, and richer in the possibilities it offers to all families.
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Fatherhood isn’t just about presence—it’s about expanding the full human experience without fear of stigma.
By championing a broader, more inclusive vision of masculinity, we create stronger families, healthier communities, and a world where everyone—regardless of gender—has the freedom to thrive.
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What does a more equitable world look like to you?
As a Retired Mustang...
I am a retired U.S. Air Force officer and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) with a career rooted in servant leadership, problem-solving, and building inclusive, high-performing teams.
As a Mustang officer—someone who commissioned after serving as an enlisted member—I know what it’s like to be at the bottom rung of the ladder. I began my service on the ground as a radar maintenance craftsman, working in Air Traffic Control centers and Weather Squadrons, where I learned firsthand the operational challenges faced by service members.
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In every role, I took the time to understand the needs and preferences of those I served alongside, using sociological methods like participant observation and ethnography to assess challenges and develop effective solutions.
Whether working with security forces, pilots, or technical teams, I ensured that decision-making was informed by direct engagement and deep insights into team dynamics, operational pressures, and institutional culture.
To better support my teams and strengthen my leadership, I pursued specialized training in multiple areas, including Krav Maga, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and pistol training to better understand the physical and mental demands placed on Security Forces and combat personnel. I also sought Private Pilot Training, gaining firsthand experience in the aviation field to better connect with pilots and aircrew.
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Beyond tactical and operational experience, while working in Equal Opportunity, I sought expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), working with professionals from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and accepting a temporary position in the San Diego office to deepen my understanding of workplace equity and policy implementation.
While in Public Affairs’ PAQC school, I had the privilege of being mentored by a senior leader and AFN veteran with over a decade of experience, further refining my ability to craft narratives that resonate across diverse audiences.
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My commitment to excellence, efficiency, and advocacy has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Joint Commendation Medal for OIF, the Chief’s Leadership Award, the Unsung Hero Award, the Pitzenbarger Award, and the Gen. Chappie James Award. In Officer Training School (OTS), my team received Honor Flight recognition, reflecting my dedication to teamwork, discipline, and mission success.
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These experiences have shaped my approach as a leader, strategist, and advocate for inclusive, mission-driven environments. I bring a multidimensional perspective—one informed by technical expertise, operational leadership, social research, and a commitment to understanding people and systems from the inside out.
