Our Team - San Diego Workforce Partnership

Khaleda Atta

Chief Programs Officer

Sarah Burns

Director of Learning

Q&A

Peter Callstrom

President and CEO

Why work in workforce development?

It's a privilege to support others in their career journeys. We reach thousands in our region and know that we are making a profound difference. Jobs are much more than a paycheck. They provide us with purpose, identity and dignity. All jobs are valuable and we need to do all we can to honor the value of each person and their unique contribution to the workforce.

What’s life like outside your work?

Family and friends are very important. Our two daughters are central to all we do. They are very active in sports and school activities which consumes a lot of 'free' time. My wife Patti is an amazing mom and spouse. Married in 1995, we live in Carmel Valley. I enjoy racquetball, golf, hikes and trips with the family. I enjoy travel and hope to get to Europe again. When visiting Scotland on the last trip, I was able to play St. Andrews—bucket list stuff.

What was your very first job?

Growing up in Minnesota, the rite of passage for many was field work. When I was 14, my 15-year-old brother and I went to Iowa for two summers to have the glamorous jobs of pulling weeds in soybean fields AND de-tasseling corn. Yes, it was as amazing as you might think…not. However, the experience was invaluable in shaping who I am to this day. It taught me many essential skills such as teamwork, resilience, collaboration, the value of work and money. Something I found out later: sunscreen is always a good idea.

Q&A

Jon Carr

Senior Manager of Operations

What's life like outside of your work?

I have lived in the community of Ocean Beach for more than twenty years with my wife Tanya, our cat Jimi and our two dogs Chuy and Tini. When I am not working, I volunteer my time serving as an executive member of the Ocean Beach Town Council where we raise money and advocate for community services. We also plan many of our special community events like the annual holiday parade, chili cook-off and pier pancake breakfast. I also have a passion for gardening and acrylic painting as additional hobbies to keep me busy.

If you could describe your job role in 3 words, what would it be and why?

Perseverance, Collaboration, Diversity
The work we do requires a high degree of perseverance to ensure we have the appropriate resources and to support our client’s needs despite myriad obstacles they face. Overcoming those challenges requires teamwork and collaboration. The support I receive from team members at the Workforce Partnership has been paramount to our shared successes. Diversity in our work has dual meaning. The actual work we perform consists of managing a variety of unique programs intended to help jobseekers in San Diego. Concurrently, we are fortunate to have a diverse team of enormously talented people from a range of different backgrounds. These are the things that get me excited to come to work each day.

What was your very first job?

My very first job in high school was working as a busser at Lido’s Italian restaurant in Lemon Grove where I grew up. Lido’s is a beloved local establishment, and the owner Liz must have employed every single high school student in the community and still does. I value my experience working hard for a caring small business owner who I still go back to visit often when I have a craving for their one-of-a-kind pizza or baked rigatoni!

Q&A

Karen Connolly

Director of Workforce Development – Healthcare

How do your personal values align with your work?

I believe in equity, inclusivity and breaking down barriers. I believe that healthcare should be a right and not a privilege. I believe that in order to improve the overall health and wellbeing of our communities we must increase recruitment and retention of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) into high quality healthcare jobs that pay a self-sufficient wage. We have a lot of work to do and I am excited to be a part of an organization whose mission and vision so closely align with my own internal values. We are going to do some great things together!

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

Everything! I love absolutely everything about my hometown. There are few people in this world lucky enough to be able to start their day with a breakfast burrito and coffee while watching surfers, and end their day under the stars in the mountains surrounded by the scent of pine trees. I love that we have become a craft beer mecca, home to amazing restaurants and shops and yet we continue to maintain that smaller city vibe. Even though it drives my husband crazy, I love that I can play six degrees of separation with just about every other native San Diegan I have ever met.

What's life like outside of your work?

My life outside of work is busy with my husband and our two young kids Sam and Zoe. Our weekends usually consist of scouring local playgrounds, parks and museums to find San Diego's last remaining dinosaurs and unicorns. I also love to cook and create new recipes and end my busy days with my nose in a good book! We are fortunate to have most of our extended family living in town, so rowdy Sunday dinners full of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are common, yet another reason why I love San Diego.

Q&A

Desiree Daugherty

Vice President of Customer Experience

Why work in workforce development?

Workforce development is at the nexus of personal, community and economic development, which is a neat spot to lend your talent. One day I feel like an economist sharing trends, the next I'm in a start up environment thinking about new programs and the next I'm standing up as a concerned San Diego citizen who wants everyone to know we can live up to our “America's Finest City” moniker, only if we work together and care about every person in every neighborhood.

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

I believe wholeheartedly that San Diego is the best city in the world. There's a never-ending supply of things to do (tons of them free) and people on a pursuit to make cool things happen every day. For the record, I don't like beer or go to the beach much. But I am stereotypically obsessed with never using my weather app, since we live comfortably at sunny with a high of 75.

If you had unlimited resources, how would you change our community for the better?

High density, affordable housing and a public transit system that eliminates our need for cars so that all are welcome, all can afford to stay and no one can complain about traffic.

Q&A

Nick DeVico

Director of Strategic Youth Initiatives

Why work in workforce development?

I am passionate about providing access and opportunity to underserved communities. How and where you are born is not a decision any of us had a say in. Some of us were fortunate to be born with a strong support system and the resources necessary to thrive while others were not. Everyone deserves the opportunity to become self-sufficient and flourish, and to do this you need access to employment that provides a livable wage. Workforce Partnership provides these opportunities which is why I was so eager to join the team. Together we can work towards reducing income inequality for our community.

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

I really enjoy the diversity and cultures that encompass San Diego. I also love being able to participate in outside activities 365 days a year. The fact that you can shoot some hoops outside or go for a swim in the middle of January still blows my mind. Burritos top this list as well.

If you had unlimited resources, how would you change our community for the better?

There would be safe housing with supportive services for all communities, free healthcare and childcare, and equitable access to education. I would probably eliminate social media as well.

Q&A

Molly Dishman

Director of Compliance and Procurement

What was your very first job?

My very first job was in high school working at a local video store in Sacramento...this was even before DVDs. The hardest part of the job was charging people who didn’t rewind the VHS tapes before they returned them!

Outside of work, how are you involved in the San Diego community?

I have been a member of the Junior League of San Diego for seven years. Our focus area recently shifted from transitional-aged youth (TAYs) to food insecurity, and I am looking forward to seeing what an impact we can make in San Diego. I have also been actively involved with Habitat for Humanity and the San Diego Food Bank for the last several years.

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

Not only is San Diego beautiful and arguably has the best weather in the country, but I love its proximity to Mexico. I enjoy traveling to Mexico for the day for lobster in Puerto Nuevo, wine tasting in Valle de Guadalupe or trying out a new restaurant in Tijuana. I love that we live in a city with so many different languages and cultures, and that we can travel to another country in a matter of minutes!

Q&A

Tracy Eckard

Director of Workforce Development – Energy, Construction, Utilities & Public Administration

Why work in workforce development?

I’m actually pretty new to the workforce development field. I have a background in international education/development and public diplomacy, so professionally I’m very mission driven, which aligns well to my new home here at the Workforce Partnership. The more I learn about this field, the more I think my response to this question is “Why NOT workforce development?!” There’s something so fundamental about our work that extends to so many aspects of an individual’s life and well-being, which in turn has ripple effects on the health and future of our community. I feel really lucky to be a part of driving change and impact.

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

Ohhh, I definitely cannot choose just one! I’d say my love for San Diego is based on a collection of loves, like it’s diversity, weather, California burritos, beaches and abundance of outdoor space, tacos (okay, basically San Diego’s entire food scene), and proximity to other parts of California and Mexico.

What's life like outside of your work?

Life definitely looks different right now during the pandemic, however, spending time with my family and friends is still central. It’s just happening virtually! If you know only one thing about me, it’s that I love to travel (I’ve visited 40+ countries) and explore places through its people, history, culture and food. When I’m not traveling or scheming of travel, I try to get to the beach several times a week, walk around my neighborhood or do a local hike and do a Peloton ride. I’m not gifted musically or artistically, so my creative outlet tends to be in the kitchen–cooking or baking. I honestly thought I’d have baked more bread by this point, so that’s a goal of mine!

Q&A

Laurie Gravich

Manager of Marketing & Communications

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

It's hard to choose just one thing, but I think it'd have to be the weather. I grew up in Southern California so I'm pretty spoiled. I try to take full advantage of the fact that we can be outside almost every day of the year.

How do your personal values align with your work?

Helping others has always been a passion of mine, which is what workforce development is all about. Hearing all of the Faces of Workforce stories and the difference we're making in our community is what makes my job meaningful. I'm so lucky to be able to work for an organization that focuses on empowering others and providing opportunity.

What was your very first job?

My first paid job was a camp counselor in high school. I also babysat and nannied throughout high school and college.

Q&A

Shaina Gross

Vice President of Client Services

Why work in workforce development?

Everyone deserves the same opportunities for success. When people have access to jobs, that support themselves and their families, we see the ripple effects into the next generation, their education, their mental and physical health, and the overall region. A quality job and family-sustaining income can be a great equalizer across our communities.

What’s one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

I love all of the outdoor activities that are available. Year-round farmer’s markets, summer concerts in the park, and so many walking and biking paths. As a native New Yorker, I enjoy that we can still utilize our parks and even our beaches in December and January, with just a light jacket! It encourages you to stay active and enjoy nature.

What was your first job?

My first paid job was at Blockbuster Video! I operated 6 VHS rewind machines when people didn’t follow our rule of “Be kind, rewind.” It’s crazy to think that my 4-year old son will never know what a video store is, or even a VHS tape!

Q&A

Melanie Hitchcock

Manager of Regional Initiatives and Operations

Why work in workforce development?

Helping people reach their potential in a positive and productive place is important.

How do your personal values align with your work?

Service is very important to me.

If you could describe your role in 3 words, what would it be and why?

Connecting people & ideas!

Q&A

Claudia Huerta

Vice President of Business Engagement

Why work in workforce development?

For me, workforce development is about supporting people and businesses in their growth paths. I love being part of a team that works to reduce systemic poverty cycles and increase economic mobility in our county. I also love seeing how the binational region fosters cross border collaboration between companies across various sectors.

How do your personal values align with your work?

As a Mexican immigrant that was raised by a single mother, I am motivated by my own personal experiences to work to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. I always keep poverty reduction strategies top of mind as I work on public policy and to help improve gender equity and ensure families have access to more economic advancement. Additionally, I support organizations focused on advancing social and reproductive justice and am interested in exploring how urban development impacts economic access in our cities.

What was your very first job?

My first job was selling souvenirs at Qualcomm Stadium. It was so much fun! I got to work with my friends and on my breaks, I could keep an eye on the Padres or Charger game or Monster Truck events. I also learned about providing exceptional customer service to all customers no matter their purchasing power.

Q&A

Melissa Johnson

Vice President of People and Culture

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

I love everything about San Diego and its rich history. I particularly love Old Town San Diego.

What's life like outside of your work?

Music, crafting and spending quality time with my 95-year-old grandmother are my happy place. I make soap and candles. A few years ago, I purchased an acoustic guitar and started taking lessons.

How do your personal values align with your work?

Integrity, ethics and compassion are paramount and the guiding principle for my life, no matter the situation. I read an article recently that illustrated, “There is a difference between the things you value and your actual values. The things you place value on will come and go, but core values guide you throughout your life. The measuring stick is real failure is failing to live by your values and real success is taking action every day to embody them.”

Q&A

Kiyoshi Kanzawa

Director of Information Technology

If you had unlimited resources, how would you change our community for the better?

After years of elementary school in downtown Los Angeles, working in downtown San Diego and spending time the homeless youth, it is clear that homelessness is an issue that, as a society, we have not solved. It is a complex issue but at the end of the day, I believe in our society's can-do spirit and that we will solve homelessness one day.

Outside of work, how are you involved in the San Diego community?

Outside of volunteering at the Japanese Friendship Garden, I try to support Jessie Pina’s work at the Monarch School. Jessie coaches volleyball at the school but more importantly, he helps children develop for the future. Many people are not aware of his international community outreach program for his volleyball players and Monarch students, which is run through the embassy.

What was your very first job?

My first job was with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. I was very fortunate to work there was a student and be exposed to a large variety of leading edge technologies. To top it off, I was fortunate enough to work with other agencies, like the FBI, on a few projects.

Q&A

Daniella Molina

Manager of Training Services

Why work in workforce development?

What I like best about working in workforce development is being a part of the creation, design and management of workforce training programs that empower job seekers to achieve long-term success by developing skills needed for in-demand jobs. In the end, it is rewarding to see the impact that the Workforce Partnership’s programs have on not just the individuals going through our programs, but on the families as a whole.

What's life like outside of your work?

Family is very important! When I am not working you can catch me at the baseball field Monday through Sunday (year-round)! I have two sons, Adrian and Aydan, who love the game. Watching them play is a completely fulfilling feeling and being a baseball mom gives me something to look forward to.

How do your personal values align with your work?

I truly believe every job seeker should have access to meaningful employment. Through my work I am contributing towards this by ensuring we are developing training opportunities that set up our participants for success to achieve their career goals and ultimately meaningful employment.

Q&A

Frank Pancucci

Director of Workforce Development

Why work in workforce development?

I believe strongly that all individuals deserve equitable access, assistance and support to create self-sufficiency and stability for themselves and their families. I am passionate about building and nurturing community partnerships and networks that aim to deliver more comprehensive services for these individuals here in San Diego, with an emphasis on connecting BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other minoritized communities to the County’s workforce system. I believe workforce development programs should always be grounded in empathy and a person-centered approach.

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

For somebody who grew up in a small town, I really love that San Diego feels like a big little city but with so much more diversity and opportunities. I enjoy that our neighborhoods have unique cultural identities and histories and that there are so many options to support restaurants and other small businesses.

What's life like outside of your work?

In my free time, I love staying active through yoga, working out, hiking and cycling. I participate annually in a seven-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, which raises funds for HIV services, and I am the co-captain of a local team. When I’m not doing these things you can usually find me cooking in my kitchen, hanging out with friends and family or exploring San Diego with my husky.

Q&A

Parina Parikh

Vice President of Sector Initiatives

Why work in workforce development?

I worked in the corporate sector for my entire 18-year career. Last year, I transitioned to the Workforce Partnership in search of an organization that really makes a lasting impact on our community. I can think of few deeds more satisfying than helping people overcome challenges and finding meaningful employment—allowing them to thrive as productive citizens of our community.

What's life like outside of your work?

My life outside of work is consumed by my family! My husband and I have two very active kids, a 9-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. Our evenings and weekends are filled with basketball, gymnastics, karate, swim, piano and tennis. You can also find me in a spin, barre, or Orangetheory class at around 6 a.m. each morning, because that's the only way to fit in some "me" time!

What was your very first job?

I find this funny since I'm a life-long vegetarian but selling Cutco knives! This was my first job in high school, and I found this experience in sales truly valuable. Having to learn a product inside out, talking to people you barely know and balancing a work schedule with summer activities were all very useful skills.

Q&A

Alistair Penny

Director of Workforce Development – ICT

How do your personal values align with your work?

I strongly agree with our organization's principle that people find power and dignity through work. Our mission to support our local community by creating opportunities for individuals to succeed is something that is deeply ingrained in my own beliefs. In my role, I get to create and grow new pathways for those communities that often find these opportunities to be unobtainable. Creating chances for people to empower themselves and achieve success based upon their own hard work and talent is truly rewarding.

What's life like outside of your work?

My wife and I moved to San Diego to enjoy the weather and a very different lifestyle than we had back on the East Coast. We tend to get out and about as much as we can during the weekends, whether that's going to breweries, vineyards or restaurants. I'm a huge sports fan and whether it's football, rugby, cricket or baseball, chances are I'll have something on in the background or I'll be playing golf (poorly). Lastly, I do my best to try and stay in touch with my family and friends 6000 miles away back in England. The 8 hour time difference can be a challenge, but we've found ways to make it work.

If you could change one thing about San Diego, what would it be?

I would introduce the city to the fantastic sport of cricket. As a permanently sunny location, San Diego is one of the few places in the world where residents could potentially play year-round. That's 365 chances to play what I consider to be the greatest sport ever invented.

Q&A

Angel Stancer

Senior Manager of Business Services

Why work in workforce development?

Hiring a diverse workforce isn't just a social responsibility, it is a competitive advantage. I enjoy working with businesses on inclusive growth initiatives that benefit their bottom line. On the flip side, I take great pride in extending my network to job seekers in our community who might not otherwise have access!

Outside of work, how are you involved in the San Diego community?

I care deeply about volunteerism and community service. Outside of work, you might find me contributing my time to a cause that benefits South Bay communities—particularly in my hometown of Imperial Beach!

What was your very first job?

My first job was as a hostess at Miguel's Cocina in Coronado. I had the opportunity to develop a strong sense of urgency and customer service skills—people are cranky when they are hungry! Those transferable skill sets have served me well as I've progressed in my career.

Q&A

Arturo Vazquez

Senior Manager of Career Center Services

Why work in workforce development?

It’s exciting to see how workforce development is connected to every aspect of our daily lives. From the water we drink, to the food we put on our tables and to the energy we use to power our homes, there is training, education and employment involved all the way around. It brings joy to my heart to have the opportunity to create, design, collaborate and implement changes that can improve the lives of our job seekers, their families and our business community. I am motivated about the opportunities that workforce can bring and the solutions to the challenges that our region faces.

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

One of my fondest memories that I have as a young kid living in Tijuana was crossing the border to San Diego and hopping on the Blue Line Trolley; it was such a great experience! San Diego is so interconnected to Tijuana in more ways that we can imagine. So, it’s hard for me to describe San Diego without its connection to Tijuana. I love how dynamic and diverse our San Diego-Tijuana community is. For example, from our local economy, environment, housing, workforce and business sectors, we truly depend on each other. I love this community because it’s constantly changing–while being aware of its challenges–it is always adding a diverse workforce, welcoming new residents and improving the quality of life if its people.

Outside of work, how are you involved in the San Diego community?

Outside of work, I stay active across UCSD and USD alumni networks, and most recently, LinkedIn’s learning platforms. I am a life-long learner and it’s refreshing to learn about what other leaders are doing across the San Diego community. Whenever I am not volunteering or mentoring, I like to exercise, hike, read and visit my family south of the border.

Q&A

Jimmy Watkins

Manager of Career Center Services

Why work in workforce development?

Most of my career has been work I’ve performed in the private sector, specifically in the financial service industry. I have always had a passion to not only work with a team of people, but to provide services to customers that really make a difference in their lives. I realized that if I were to make this happen, I needed to make a career transition into a different occupation. As it turns out, I did just that and began working in the workforce development industry in 2018. I’m now working with a team of professionals that have a passion to help job seekers achieve long-term success by developing their skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers. It’s a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that you are contributing to ensuring businesses in the region have accessed to a skilled workforce and every job seeker has access to meaningful employment.

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

I’m a native San Diegan and have seen many other cities outside of California, but I have no desire to leave! There are so many things I can say why I love living in San Diego but if I had to pick one thing, it would be family. My immediate family, as well as my wife’s immediate family, all live here in San Diego. We have many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles that live here also. The holidays are always a big family affair. A tradition we have every year is to host Christmas dinner at our house. We will have as many as 20 or more family members celebrate together on this holiday.

What was your very first job?

I started working when I was 16 and in high school. My first job was working at the Golden Arches, aka McDonalds. I was a “grill man” which was the name of my position at the time. I can tell you how they made those Big Macs, Quarter Pounders with cheese and Filet-O-Fish sandwiches back then. What I can’t tell you is how they make those same sandwiches today with the change in equipment using today’s technology! One thing I do remember was my salary; I was part time when I was hired making minimum wage which was a $1.65 an hour!

Q&A

Carlynne Yu

Controller

How do your personal values align with your work?

I have always believed in making the world a better place by helping one other. It sounds cliché but every interaction can make an impact, so why not make each one positive and worthwhile? We’re all a part of a global community with many connections. The San Diego Workforce Partnership is equipping its network with skills and tools that connects businesses with a skilled workforce, and job seekers with meaningful employment. Together, we can help each other become better at what we do.

What was your very first job?

My first job was as a cashier/server for a local, family-owned Chinese restaurant during high school. I remember coming home with delicious leftovers and smelling like orange chicken all the time! I love to eat (then and now) and was very well fed at this establishment.

What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?

I grew up in San Diego and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I love the healthy lifestyle it promotes! Our wonderful city is renowned for its idyllic climate and has some of the best beaches and parks facilitating an active lifestyle year-round. You can surf, snowboard and hike/camp all in the same day.