Interview by Ben Mundy 

Elizabeth, what’s your career timeline at the University of California?

I’m shocked to say I’ve worked for the UC for 30 years (laughs.) I started at UCSB in 1995. I worked there for 26 years, had a milestone birthday, then the pandemic hit, so I thought, wow, I think I want a change.  One of my colleagues, Fredna Karnegas retired, and I thought, "I love UC Davis." I love the people and have always been connected to Davis in some way. So, I gave it a shot, and here I am. 

Out of the box question: Rank the UCs. What do you think would be another great UC to work at?

 I put UC Santa Barbara and UC Davis at the top of that list. The cultures, philosophies, and values are very similar. That was especially important to me in making this move. DEI was very important to me.  UC Davis has a great reputation for DEI. 

But don’t you think there needs to be consistency across campuses?  What about UCLA?

I have not found that to be the case, and I work with colleagues all throughout the system.

Do you feel like you can be yourself in your position in the way you show up?

 I do. 

You don’t feel like you have to put on a "mask" or adjust that?

I don’t. And people have often mentioned to me that I come across as authentic. They like my authentic self, which I really appreciate.  That means a lot to me when people say that to me. 

I get that sense. I don’t think we’d be sitting here having this conversation if you had the other approach. 

I think it comes with age and experience, and I feel like after 30 years of seeing a lot of stuff, I feel like the way to show up is to show your real self.  And I’m vulnerable with my team. They see it, they hear it. 

You clearly have a talent people see. You’re comfortable with yourself, you have your skill set, and people say, “hey, I’m going to put her in this position to do it.” What’s the background to that?

I attended UCSB as an undergrad. I dropped out because I couldn’t afford it anymore and was paying my own way. When I realized I could get two thirds off tuition if I was a career employee, and I thought, “I really want to work for public education, I want to work for an institution I believe in.” So, I got a job in human resources at UCSB doing benefits, leaves and workers compensation. I finished my BA there, continued to work, and at some point I thought, “I really want to go to law school.” So I went to law school at night while I worked, got my degree, and passed the bar. People always ask me, “didn’t you want to practice?” And my response was, “I’ve never wanted to practice law. I just wanted to go to law school." 

You’re a learner. I’m sure you’ve taken the Clifton Strengths test. Is that your top strength? 

 Believe it or not, one of my top strengths is Developer. I love to engage my team and help them grow and develop.  That gives me the best reward, if you will. 

What are your top five strengths?

Developer, Relator, Learner, Ideation and…   

Do you think having a “strengths-based” organization is a viable model?

I do think it’s helpful, and I think we can benefit from it. I look at the strengths of the folks on my team, and I adjust things accordingly because I want them to be successful. I want them to be able to help our customers in a really effective way. So, if I need to modify some things and shift some things around, I do that. Tammy believes in this too, which is really helpful for me. 

What is your superpower?

I think it is developing people. I invest in people.  I want them to be successful. I got that through my experience, and that was incredibly helpful.  I want others to become confident in the work that they do.  Because ultimately, I’m not going to stay here forever. We want really good people leading our teams moving forward, and I know you feel the same way. 

How would you describe what you do?

I definitely have a purpose-driven philosophy, and my purpose has always been higher education, and investing in students to go out there and do great things in the world. I know I’m not going to be a faculty member or anything related to that, so my reason for being here is to help support those who do help students. My goal has always been to help others in whatever I do, and I think that that has always focused my next move - how I am helping someone, a group of people, or an organization. 

And from where you sit in your position?

The benefits programs and services portfolio has grown tremendously since I got here three years ago. I started as the Director of Disability Management Services, and when they figured out that I had benefits experience, I was then given the Benefits unit for both Campus and Health. After that, I got a leaves team, then Work Life and Wellness teams, and now I’m adding another unit. 

Do you feel it’s important for employees who want to get ahead to socialize that to decision makers?

 I’ve always had the philosophy that if I have an idea in mind – and I get a lot (laughs) - I share those ideas with people.  Sometimes things come back to me, and sometimes they don’t. And I’ve learned that if it doesn’t come back around to me, it wasn’t meant to be.  I’m not going to be heartbroken if my idea doesn’t work. 

What would you consider to be your biggest win since coming to UC Davis?

As for projects, I’d say the Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program, the first in the entire UC, and I created it.  We’re in a pilot phase right now. It’s really exciting, actually.  

Wow! Why are you not running a division? 

Actually, I really enjoy flying under the radar and being close to the work. Otherwise, I’d be afraid that I’d become too far removed from it.

Could you ever envision yourself at a UC Davis conference, speaking on the importance of  “leading from the heart?” 

I can definitely see myself doing that. I do have a tendency to work from a place of passion. Using the previous example, student loan debt disproportionately impacts individuals from disadvantaged communities, women, and people of color. And to me that is one of the things I am passionate about, and how I can help.  So finding that passion and purpose, and moving in that direction, is something I have done most of my life. 

Bonus question: How do you not get jaded by some of the big frustrations that come with working at a UC?  Is this a fair question to ask?

Absolutely, and I do get jaded.  I have moments where I think to myself, “aaaahhhhh!!”  (Laughs.) 

That’s honest!

I’ve also seen many years of roadblocks and bureaucracies.  My belief is, I can either find a way around it, or I need to be okay with it. Because if I keep holding onto it, it’s going to build resentment. That’s not good for me or the people I work with, and certainly not good for the customers we work with. 

That’s something that needs to be out there so you can prepare for it. It’s not really talked about.

Walking through it will get you to the other side, and then you’re so grateful you’re on the other side.  You reach that moment when you realize, “I made it through that.”