Operational Strategic Initiatives
Our office will work closely with you to identify the best resources to meet your goals. Please see below for each reporting structure and to learn a bit more about our team.
Administration
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Bob Neuhard
Bob is the Executive Director.
Bob is charged with identifying, responding to, leading, and supporting unique initiatives and opportunities across campus on behalf of the Chancellor and the Chief Financial Officer. He specializes in building consensus in highly dynamic situations by developing comprehensive strategies and solutions to the most complicated and novel issues and opportunities.
Bob's focus is on strategic leadership and planning, innovation, customer-centric process optimization, complex public-private alliances, and delivering transformational outcomes. Most recently, he was the leader of the University's Return to Learn Program that oversees the University's COVID response and related operations, including our campus's first in the world Vending Machine PCR testing program and comprehensive campus wastewater monitoring program.
Bob received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies from the University of Florida. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law with an emphasis on technology law & aviation law and served as an Editor for the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy and the Transportation Law Journal.
Off-campus, Bob enjoys riding his e-bike around Torrey Pines State Reserve, reading on ideation and global macro data trends, and experiencing travel adventures in Europe. -
Angela Song, PhD
Angela is the Senior Director of OSI and leads the Tritonlytics Team.
Angela has over 20 years of strategic management and organizational assessment experience in Fortune 500 companies and higher education settings. She delivers high-impact strategic initiatives and projects around organizational climate and continuous improvement surveys, machine learning, and benchmarking programs including multiple universities across the United States, and is recognized for transforming complex data into easily understood, accessible, and actionable insights.
Her specialized focus is on strategic planning and execution, identifying opportunities for end-to-end process improvements, and bringing transparency surrounding university measures of success. Angela is a Leadership Development Coach with the Center for Creative Leadership and sits on the Board of Directors for the Network for Change and Continuous Innovation (NCCI). Angela also supports the university in working closely with the CFO Committee for Inclusive Excellence in championing its diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Angela holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Claremont McKenna College, a Master in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from UC Berkeley. She is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Project Management Professional, and Prosci Change Management Practitioner.
Angela is a bonafide foodie, sci-fan fan, and aesthete who appreciates nature and design. When not working, you may find her splashing around La Jolla Shores with her speedy greyhound and whippet. -
Kathryn Herrera
Kathryn is the Strategic Communications and Administrative Officer.
She has been with OSI for nearly 4 years.
Prior to joining OSI, Kathryn worked as the Program Coordinator for the Institute on Social and Economic Research and Policy and Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University in New York City. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Dnipro, Ukraine from 2011 to 2013.
Kathryn received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from UC San Diego and Master of Arts in Human Rights Study from Columbia University.
In her free time, Kathryn enjoys volunteering with animal rescues, Ukrainian aid groups, and watercolor painting. Some of her work will be displayed at the UC San Diego 2022 Visual Arts Group Virtual Art Show. -
Xin Kaczmarek
Xin works as the Operational Strategic Initiatives Analyst
She joined OSI in 2017 as a Project Coordinator to support various OSI strategic planning projects.
Prior to joining OSI, Xin worked at Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. in Portland, Oregon, and Stryker in Seattle, Washington as an Executive Assistant in the Legal and Human Resources Department.
Xin completed her Bachelor of Arts in Business from Hubei University in China.
Xin was a commercial model when she was 5 years old and her aunt trained her to sing Chinese Opera. She travels frequently with her family, having visited over 15+ countries.
Continuous Improvement and Strategic Initiatives
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Antonio Nava
Antonio "Tony" serves as the Senior Strategic Programs Manager.
Joining the team in 2018, he is the Program Manager for the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification and the lead trainer and administrator for Promapp. He was awarded the 2021 UC San Diego Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year.
Tony regularly facilitates cross-departmental and cross-institutional projects, Prosci Change Management, and LSS methodologies to support change initiatives, and delivers campus-wide efforts to support lean initiatives and business best practices through BECOP - the Business Excellence Community Of Practice.
Tony earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts from UC San Diego and has completed Master's coursework in organizational management from Ashford University. Tony earned his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from UC San Diego Extension.
Tony spends his time outside of work volunteering with Boy Scout Pack 625, cycling, and often donates his ponytail to Locks of Love, a 501(c)(3) that supports a sense of self and normalcy in children suffering from hair loss. -
Bradley Sollenberger
Brad is a Strategic Initiatives Manager.
Brad's expertise includes operational improvement, creative solution development, complex change management, system redesign and implementation, strategic planning, as well as space planning and optimization.
Prior to UC San Diego, Brad has over 10 years of experience working for university-based health systems in Wisconsin, Texas, and California leveraging his strategic planning, operational improvement, and project management acumen.
Brad earned his Bachelor of Art in Business Administration from Whittier College and Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. He has earned Lean Six Sigma Black Belts from Villanova University and UCSD Extension.
Brad spends time outside of OSI with his family, writing novels including his most recent: "Lean Translated Strategy," and DIY projects. -
Darcy Frailey
Darcy is the Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager.
Darcy has worked with OSI for 3+ years, has served at Deloitte Consulting as a Senior Human Capital Consultant, and previously worked with American University in Washington DC leading student center facilities logistics and operations.
Darcy enjoys building positive people-focused experiences leveraging his years in higher education, information technology, team and program development, strategic planning and analysis, change management, and process improvement.
He holds a Bachelor in Business Administration and Master of Science in Organizational Development & Leadership from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and is certified in Prosci Change Management and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Outside of the office, Darcy enjoys stand- up paddling around San Diego and cheering for any and all Philadelphia sports teams. -
Jackie Sewell
Jackie is a Senior Strategic Initiatives Analyst.
Jackie has worked at UC San Diego for six years - one year in OSI and five years in Advancement. She was previously a Senior Projects & Operations Analyst and Gift Acknowledgment Analyst on Advancement Services' Donor & Fund Stewardship team.
Prior to UC San Diego, Jackie worked in nonprofit development and political organizing, including the San Diego Natural History Museum and Democratic Socialists of America in New York, NY.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Kansas, a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego, and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification from UC San Diego Extension.
Outside of work, she enjoys visiting new parks, beaches, hiking trails, and restaurants, studying different languages, and catching the latest movies. -
Kristin Kielich
Kristin Kielich is the Senior Strategic Manager.
Working 15+ years in higher education, Kristin has dedicated the last 10 years with OSI to advising executives and senior leaders on cross-campus, complex projects. In 2011 Kristin was awarded the UC San Diego Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year and in 2022 was selected to participate in the UC Women’s Initiative.
Kristin regularly facilitates discussions that draw out key challenges, and strategic solutions which result in data-driven decisions that advance quality, efficiency, and organizational goals. She regularly speaks on her processes and insights at national and international conferences on strategic planning, continuous improvement, and collaborative business solutions.
Kristin earned a Bachelor of Arts from California Polytechnic State University and an MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Project Manager Certified, and a ProSci Change Management Practioner.
Kristin is a native San Diegan who grew up playing at the beach while also raising pigs and chickens. She is a food and travel enthusiast having visited 30+ countries. -
LaKeshia Lindsey
LaKeshia works as the Senior Strategic Initiatives Analyst.
She recently joined OSI and leverages her background in relationship building, process improvement, and small group facilitation.
Prior to joining OSI, LaKeshia worked as the Program Manager for a local nonprofit that focuses on mentoring girls of color.
LaKeshia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from National University and is certified in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. She is completing her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from UC San Extension.
LaKeshia enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and binge-watching documentaries. -
Ricardo Santiago
Ricardo is the Strategic Initiatives Manager.
Ricardo has worked at UC San Diego for 3+ years, supporting and leading process improvement, strategic planning, and organizational review initiatives across campus and UC's Office of the President.
Ricardo's diverse background in financial services, law, and management consulting provides a unique, broad range of skills and experience that enable a nuanced analysis of complex problems and root causes through a variety of perspectives; collaborative and independent ideation; and succinct yet effective communication of findings and recommendations for any audience. Ricardo worked as an independent consultant for several years prior to joining UC San Diego.
Ricardo has his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brown University and his Juris Doctorate in Law from American University. He earned his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from UC San Diego Extension.
Ricardo's passions include studying the digital asset/Web 3 space, (intentionally) getting lost while traveling abroad, photography, and perhaps most importantly, pizza. -
Savannah Bradley
Savannah is the Senior Strategic Initiatives Analyst.
She joined OSI in 2021 and leverages her skills in project management, research & evaluation, and process improvement.
Savannah previously worked for UC San Diego Health and Oregon State University where she collaborated with diverse stakeholders in higher education, healthcare, and government on projects that advanced operational efficiency.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from San Diego State University and a Master of Public Health from Oregon State University and is a trained Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
As a San Diego native, Savannah remains invested in the public health of her community. As such, she volunteers her time and lends her expertise to community organizations and students that aim to improve the social determinants of health for San Diegans. She also enjoys reading historical fiction, hiking with her dog, and spending time with her nieces. -
Stephen Larkin
Stephen is a Projects Director of Strategic Initiatives who is skilled at change management and an experienced group facilitator. His areas of expertise also include project management, process improvement, continuous improvement, stakeholder management and relationship building. He has led significant software implementations, strategic technology assessments, process improvement and change management efforts.
Tritonlytics
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Angela Song
Senior Director of OSI
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Cheryl Olson, PhD
Cheryl is the Principal Survey and Metrics Analyst.
She has been at UC San Diego for 6 years, all with OSI.
In the past, Cheryl has taught undergraduate Psychology and Statistics, orchestrated a multi-year longitudinal mental health survey research study for the Navy, and applied social science research in support of public health and service programs including clean water and suicide prevention.
She has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Relations from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Cheryl enjoys knitting, Baroque music, reading Mysteries, Psychology, and Natural History books, and cooking experiential world cuisine. -
Grace Guarin
Grace is the Senior Program Analyst and Tritonlytics Chief Project Manager.
She has worked with OSI for over 7+ years.
Grace started at UC San Francisco in 2005 working in the Department of Opthalmology and Center for Health & Community then moved to UC San Diego to work as a Constituent Programs Manager for Health Sciences.
Grace has her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development + Minor in Health Care and Social Issues from UC San Diego and Master in Public Administration in Health Services Administration from the University of San Francisco. She is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified.
Grace aspires to be better at golf, and enjoys traveling, roller skating, and spending time with her family. -
Khanh Nguyen
Khanh is the Applications Programmer.
Khanh has worked with the team since 2017 and worked at UC San Diego for over 15 years at Business Financial Services, Office of Research Affairs, and Student Affairs Technology Services.
Khanh started his software development career at a variety of technology firms including large Fortune 500 companies, consulting partners to Microsoft, and startups prior to joining UC San Diego.
He has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Minor in Management from the University of Minnesota, Microsoft Certifications (MCSD, MCSE, MCSQL), Qualtrics CoreXM Expert Certification, and is a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
When he’s not yelling in front of his monitor, he’s probably yelling the other F word on the golf course (FORE!). Khanh is a diehard Rom-Com fan, enjoys bags of chips, is skilled in sign language, and will sing The Rose (offkey) any chance he gets.
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Kris Hergert
Kris is the Strategy and Innovation Manager.
Kris drafts and drives the strategy of running innovation crowdsourcing campaigns and project deliverables for IdeaWave as well as administers ideation tools to integrate quantitative and qualitative data for continuous improvement for higher education clients across the United States.
Kris has spent over 11 years working in multi-campus, multidisciplinary research universities leading innovative career centers and entrepreneurship teams.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Kris grew up in Connecticut, is an accomplished athlete rowing UNC Division I Crew and finishing 3x Ironmans, an aficionado of San Diego coffee and kombucha, and always sports a blue dress shirt in the office. -
Kristin Ly
Kristin is the Program Analyst.
Having worked at UC San Diego since 2017, she supports operational projects and strategic planning engagements.
Prior to joining OSI, Kristin worked as a Human Resource Manager for a local property management company.
Kristin earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from San Diego State University.
Kristin enjoys snowboarding, playing badminton, tennis, and Tetris. She loves to eat and travel. -
Paul Chan
Paul joined the Operational Strategic Initiatives Office in 2013. Currently he coordinates the reporting and analysis activities for the survey projects including UC, CSU, and other universities. Highlights of Paul’s track record of success are his integration of advanced statistical analyses to the interpretation of the campus survey results, and developing advanced level statistical reports in Tableau, which became a template and model for other UC and CSU campus deployment. Paul's professional expertise includes data mining, statistical analysis, data visualization, metrics development, and training.
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Wayde Gilliam
Wayde has been with OSI since its inception as the Full Stack Web/ML Developer.
He has worked for UC San Diego for 20 years including roles as the Lead Architect and Senior Software Developer for Business Financial Services.
Prior to UC San Diego, Wayde worked as a software engineer for a variety of e-commerce and B2B startups, in addition to working as a technical educator and independent consultant in Southern California.
Wayde has a Bachelor of Arts in History from UC San Diego and a Master of Arts in Theology from Westminster Seminary as well as numerous Microsoft certifications. He is Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certified.
Wayde is a lifelong learner and coder, loves Halloween, enjoys making beer and sipping scotch (preferably with his two Labradors), and his favorite person in the world is Julie, his wife.