Current SAB Members

Thank you to this year's executive board members!

• Chair, Lauren Morgan
• Chair-elect, Michelle Sohnlein
• Treasurer, Fisher Dietz
• Treasurer-elect, Carlos Perez
• Secretary, Chris Burgess
• Past-Chair, 1st year CUCSA Delegate, Jessica Bulleri
• 2nd year CUCSA Delegate, Ryan (Lumpy) Ervin

Lauren Morgan (Chair)

(She/Her)

Department: CPEVC's Office
Title: Senior HR Leader/SMG Coordinator
Year started at UCSC: 2019
First Year Serving on SAB: 2023-24

831-459-4771
llmorgan@ucsc.edu 

Personal Statement

Growing up in Santa Cruz, I never imagined myself working for UCSC.  I had very little interaction with the students or campus.   I moved away for college and vowed never to return!  But time changes all things and I came home to be with my family, who all still live here.  My daughter came with me and graduated from UCSC in Spring 2023.  I couldn’t be more proud.  I have found a great community working here at UCSC and am excited to join the Staff Advisory Board.  I hope my experience in the field of HR and my position in the CPEVC’s office will be valuable in advocating for the wants and needs of the staff we serve. I look forward to working with my fellow board members.

Michelle Sohnlein (Chair-Elect)

Department: Risk Services
Title: Workers' Compensation & Occupational Disability Manager
Year started at UCSC: 2022
First Year Serving on SAB: 2024-25

831-459-2850
msohnlei@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

I am deeply passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive environment within the University of California Santa Cruz community. Serving on the staff advisory board provides a unique opportunity to actively contribute to this mission by representing the voices, concerns, and needs of staff members. Through collaborative efforts and constructive dialogue, I am eager to work towards enhancing communication channels, fostering a sense of belonging, and implementing positive changes that benefit both staff and the University as a whole. In my position as Workers' Compensation & Occupational Disability Manager I constantly look at ways to improve the communication of resources for both the injured employee and their department, and how best to minimize risk on campus. Joining the staff advisory board aligns perfectly with my values of service, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and I am excited about the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my fellow staff members.

 
In my free time I enjoy going to garage sales with my husband, embroidery, cooking/baking, curling up with a book, or watching horror movies. 

Fisher Dietz (Treasurer)

(He/Him)

Department: Baskin Engineering ITS
Title: Research and Instructional IT Support
Year started at UCSC: 2022
First Year Serving on SAB: 2023-24

408-919-8973
fdietz@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

Having grown up in a small town in Mariposa County, I am constantly striving to be a part of something bigger than myself, where the goal is bettering the lives of the many, not the few. I have always been interested in taking part in opportunities where not only can I contribute in a positive manner, but an experience that will, in turn, positively impact me as a human. That is why I am incredibly excited to be joining the Staff Advisory Board at UC Santa Cruz. Being based out of the Silicon Valley Campus where I work as the Baskin Engineering IT Support Specialist, I aim to support growth for both the organization as well as on an individual level. To meet that goal I intend to advocate for staff members that don't work in the city of Santa Cruz and may feel disconnected from the UCSC community. During this time of growth and change in the university, I think it is important to remember that only together can we remain slug strong!

Carlos Perez (Treasurer-Elect)                                                   

Department: CHES
Title: Facilities Maintenance Manager
Year started at UCSC: 2019
First Year Serving on SAB: 2024-25

831-212-9868
cperez44@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of working for CHES Facilities.
I began as a Maintenance Worker, then advanced to Supervisor, and I currently serve as the Facilities Maintenance Manager for both the West Zone and ARCH Colleges.

I actively contribute to the University Community by volunteering on various DSAS committees, participating in the Staff Mentorship Program, and supporting El Centro events. I recently graduated from the Leadership Academy and, starting July 1st, I will be a member of the WACUHO Facilities Committee.

Outside of work, I am deeply rooted in the Santa Cruz community, having been born and raised in the Davenport/Bonny Doon area for four generations. I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, indulging in anime and video games, tinkering with cars and trucks, and expressing my creativity through woodworking and sign making. I also have a passion for music and own three guitars, which I aspire to master.

Christopher Burgess (Secretary)

(He/Him/His)

Department: Office of the Registrar
Title: Assistant Registrar
Year started at UCSC: 2019
First Year Serving on SAB: 2023-24

831-459-4978
chburges@ucsc.edu 

Personal Statement

Christopher (Chris) Burgess (He/Him/His) has worked in the Office of the Registrar as an Assistant Registrar for Records and Enrollment since 2019. In his free time he lives in Aptos with his wife and three kids and enjoys exploring the wonderful hiking trails and beaches with his family. 

Jessica Bulleri (Past-Chair)

(She/Her)

Department: Risk Services
Title: Campus Health and Well-being Manager
Year started at UCSC: 2019
First Year Serving on SAB: 2021-22

(831) 502-7375
jbulleri@ucsc.edu 

Personal Statement

I have been at UCSC for a little over five years now and have fallen in love with our beautiful campus and vibrant community. As the Campus Health and Well-being Manager and co-chair of UCSC Healthy Campus, I develop wellness programming for faculty and staff and aim to build a work and learning environment that supports the health and well-being of our community. Outside of work, I am an avid reader of sci fi/fantasy books, a true crime podcast aficionado, a bit of a gamer, a Friends binge-watcher, and a dog mom to a very energetic mini Aussie. I am eager to become more involved in the larger campus community and am looking forward to advocating for our staff and addressing their challenges and concerns.

Ryan (Lumpy) Ervin (2nd Year
  CUCSA delegate)

Department:
Title: Sr. Custodial Supervisor
Year Started at UCSC: 2009
First Year Serving on SAB: 2021-2022

(831) 459-21163
rwervin@ucsc.edu 

Personal Statement

I have been working on campus in various positions for the last 13 years. I was a former UCSC Senior Custodian where I worked for 5 years at Family Student housing. I then started working as a Senior Building Maintenance worker for 3 years. I am currently a Senior Custodial Supervisor for the day shift. I am the supervisor of 25 very hard-working custodians that I greatly appreciate. Outside of work I am a die-hard San Jose Sharks Hockey fan. I love music, movies, video games, and sci/fi fantasy books. I play guitar for fun, go on hikes, swim, and love to do boxing. I have enjoyed my time on SAB and love to learn more about our campus and to advocate for our staff.

John Pope

Department: PPDO - Physical Plant Services
Title: Lock Shop Supervisor
Year started at UCSC: 
First Year Serving on SAB: 2025-26

831-502-1506
jepope@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

I have been a proud member of the UCSC team as a Locksmith/Lock Shop Supervisor since June 2013. Prior to joining UCSC, I spent over 12 years contributing to the team at CSUMB. With more than 24 years of experience in higher education facilities management, I’ve had the privilege of improving the infrastructure and security of the campuses I’ve served.

As the Lock Shop Supervisor, I am continually focused on enhancing access control systems and security measures to protect the students, staff, buildings, and assets under our care. I have a deep commitment to ensuring safety while also driving improvements in our facilities’ operational efficiency.

My leadership experience extends beyond UCSC, having served as the Facilities Director and Executive Director at San Carlos TK-8 Private School for over 10 years. This role gave me the opportunity to manage long-term projects and plan for future growth, which sharpened my ability to think strategically about facility management.

I am driven by “big picture” goals and am always looking for innovative ways to improve systems and ensure the security and safety of the community. Through my extensive experience in facilities management, numerous volunteer roles, and my vision for higher education, I believe I can bring valuable insights to the SAB.

I look forward to collaborating with the staff to advise senior leadership on long-term development plans, security enhancements, and creating a safer, more efficient campus environment. 

Christine Marez

Department: CHES Conference Services
Title: Conference Coordinator
Year started at UCSC: 2017
First Year Serving on SAB: 2025-26

831-435-9507
camarez@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

I’ve been a Santa Cruz resident since 1991 and have worked at UCSC since 2017. As a Conference Coordinator for Conference Services, I collaborate with a variety of departments across campus and am continually inspired by dedication and care demonstrated by the staff here at UCSC. I also work closely with our student staff and love having a small role in shaping these future leaders.

UCSC is a place I truly enjoy working, and as I prepare to send my youngest off to college this fall and officially become an empty nester, I’m excited to give back by serving on the Staff Advisory Board. I look forward to advocating for staff, strengthening connections across departments, and supporting the people who help this campus thrive.

In my free time, I enjoy camping and hiking with my husband, playing with our dogs, and spending time with my two kids.

Cinnamon Danube

Department: Institutional Research, Analytics, and Planning Support
Title: Senior Institutional Research Analyst
Year started at UCSC: 2023
First Year Serving on SAB: 2025-26

cdanube@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

I have served the University of California for more than 10 years and have worked in IRAPS at UCSC since 2023. I have also served on several boards – the California Association for Institutional Research as an Officer and President and the Student Experience in the Research University Consortium as UC representative – where I gained experience with collaborative leadership and how to balance the achievement of mission driven goals with resource availability. I am a problem solver, a collaborator, and a data person. I love my job because every day I get to work with campus community members to help them find and use survey and other data to support their work. I look forward to bringing my love of data and my ability to effectively communicate about data to SAB. Together, we can explore collaborative, thoughtful, and data-informed strategies for improving the staff experience at UCSC. As a fully remote staff member, I also hope to bring that perspective to SAB and help ensure that remote staff feel represented, included, and connected to campus. Personally, I live in Merced, CA. Outside of work, I love to cook, spend time outdoors, go wine tasting, and play collaborative board games
with my partner, Matthew, as well as go on lots of walks with our dog, Samson.

Veronica Febonio

Department: Risk Services
Title: Driver Safety Program Manager
Year started at UCSC: 
First Year Serving on SAB: 2025-26

831-502-0054
vfebonio@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

Breanna Van Otterloo

Department: Dining Services
Title: Food Safety and Nutrition Specialist
Year started at UCSC: 2019
First Year Serving on SAB: 2025-26

831-212-6016
bvanotte@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

A former UCSC student-turned-staff member, I have been working on campus for over 6 years (not including my time as a student worker). My background is in neuroscience and my passion is in food. On campus, I am actively involved in supporting access to healthy, sustainable dining options and creating inclusive third spaces for our students. Off campus, you’ll likely find me biking around town, hiking, surfing, or deeply enmeshed in some therapeutic cooking.

Nathan McCall

Department: PPDO - Business Office
Title: Data Services Supervisor
Year started at UCSC: 
First Year Serving on SAB: 2025-26

nmccall@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

In general, I aim to encourage UCSC staff to take effective action that leaves them feeling empowered in matters that affect them. Specifically, I focus on increasing access to essentials like healthy food and helping individuals and groups navigate the UC system to solve problems.

2025 kicks off my eighth year of local advocacy on the SAB, where I previously served as SAB Chair. In systemwide advocacy, I served three years as a UCSC Delegate to CUCSA, notably serving as the founding Chair of the Total Compensation workgroup. In the broader UCSC community, I’ve also contributed to the University Interfaith Council, previously serving as its President.

Working at UCSC, I have 12 years of experience in Staff HR and, as of April 2025, serve in Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO). Academically, I hold degrees in Counseling Psychology and Bible & Theology, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education.

Feel free to reach out — whether to chat about supporting UCSC staff welfare and diversity, or just to say “Hi!” because you're friendly and fun! We’re on the same team, after all…

:^)

Denise Booth

Department: Office of the Registrar
Title: Assistant Registrar, Curriculum Management
Year started at UCSC: 
First Year Serving on SAB: 2025-26

831-459-2250
dibooth@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement