Tune in to this episode of the What To Be Show to hear from human resources strategist Candice Elliot.  Listen as Candice shares her great insight and interesting career journey with us, from teaching English as a second language, to working in the middle east as an archaeological technician, to now running her own human resource company called fortress and flourish.

Candice Elliot | Human Resources, Fortress and Flourish

In this episode of the What to Be Show we hear from designer Jennifer Karno.  Jen has worked an interesting and varied career from the video game industry with SEGA and Electronic Arts, to helping organize the bicycling race Tour of California for it's Santa Cruz stops, to being a bicycling tour guide, to now teaching theatre and more at 1440 Multiversity: Immersion learning in Scotts Valley.

Jennifer Karno | Experience Designer and Entrepreneur

In this episode of the What to Be Show we hear from Tom Hart who shares his 30-year career journey with us working in planning and development for health clinics and hospitals in Santa  Cruz County. Tom was the VP of Facility Planning and Development for Palo Alto Medical Foundation and is an active member of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club.

Tom Hart | Planning Development Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Peter Truman.  Peter shares his interesting career story from working as a sailor in his youth to owning and operating multiple print shops in Santa Cruz county, to recently becoming a relator.  Peter is also an active member of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club.

Peter Truman | Entrepreneur

On this episode of the What to Be Show we hear from jade sculptor Justin Barrett(JustinJade.com).  Justin scuba dives off the Big Sur coast as well as mines in the Sierra Nevada foothills to source jade which he then carves into contemporary jewelry and art pieces.  Tune in to hear his inspiring career journey!

Justin Barrett | Jade Sculptor

In this episode of the What to Be Show we hear from Professor of Art at Cabrillo College Payson McNett.  Payson shares his positivity about his life and career journey in becoming a teacher and helping create the Maker's Space at Cabrillo College.

Payson McNett | Professor of Art Cabrillo College

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Ted Garbeff. Ted is a NASA Aerospace engineer who works on developing spacecraft and rockets at AMES Research Center at Moffett Field where they have the biggest wind tunnel in the world.  The wind tunnel is so big they have to run it primarily at night because it uses more electricity than the entire city of Mountain View!  Tune in to find out more.

Ted Garbeff | NASA Aerospace Engineer

On this episode of the What to Be Show we hear from Melanie Mow Schumacher. Melanie is the Special Projects-Communications Manager at Soquel Creek Water District–a small water agency that relies on 100% local groundwater to serve approximately 50,000 residents in Santa Cruz County.

Melanie received a civil engineering degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, and is a registered civil engineer in the State of California.

One of her primary duties at the District is being the project manager for the Pure Water Soquel Project which will recycle 25% of the treated effluent that is discharged out to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary for beneficial reuse protect the Santa Cruz Mid-County groundwater basin from further seawater contamination. She is also responsible for the communication, outreach, and education programs for the District.

Melanie is a past President of the Monterey Bay Water Works Association, volunteers in the community supporting youth sports and education, and is a board member for the Capitola Soquel Chamber of Commerce.

Fun things to note - No batteries required: Melanie operates on coffee, humor, and granola bars. She’s a recreational runner, a struggling artist, and is desperately trying to cultivate a green thumb. She’s also proud that household uses about 30 gallons per person per day which is a result of taking out all the grass and taking quick showers. Tune in to find out more!

Melanie Mow Schumacher | Special Projects-Communications Manager Soquel Creek Water District

On this episode of the What to Be Show we are joined by Erika Smart. Erika grew up on a ranch in a rural farming community in the Central Valley of California. Erika has worked in different areas such as Human Resources, Marketing, and Consulting but she is excited to have landed in the animal welfare world. Erika has a master’s degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Chico, where she focused on organizational and political communication. Erika lives in Santa Cruz with her partner and their one-eyed bulldog. She currently works with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter as the Program & Development Manager and is an Adjunct Faculty member at Cabrillo Community College where she teaches Public Speaking.

Erika believes in the work nonprofits are doing in Santa Cruz County and dedicates herself to public service work with the goal of making our community a better place for all living beings. Tune in to find out more!

Erika Smart | Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Program & Development Manager

Tune in to this episode of the What To Be Show to hear from Jondi Gumz. Jondi is the editor at Times Publishing Group, Inc., founded by Aptos resident Patrice Edwards 31 years ago. This includes Aptos Times, Capitola-Soquel Times, Scotts Valley Times and the new Coastal Health & Wellness magazine. I'm looking for ideas for the 2023 issue.
Last year, Aptos Times won recognition from Best of the West for coverage of safety issues at Nisene Marks State Park.
All of our newspaper issues have contributions from the community -- the more, the better. We have a column on business matters from Cabrillo business instructor Ron Kustek. We have a new column from Joe Ortiz, the Capitola songwriter-author-chef, and we're printing excerpts from his upcoming book. We have a new recipe column, and readers contribute. Last month, we had Homemade Baby Formula, to help new moms left in limbo by the baby formula shortage.
We have a new columnist in Scotts Valley, a recent high school grad at UCLA. She wrote about a Holocaust baby who survived because of the kindness of strangers. Want to contribute? Email me at info@cyber-times.com. My high school English teacher, Michael O'Connell, inspired me to pursue journalism. He owned a dairy farm and had a part-time gig as a reporter for the local newspaper. I graduated from Ripon College, Phi Beta Kappa, double major, in English and economics.
I've won regional, state and national awards for my reporting.
I live in Scotts Valley with my husband. Our son and daughter-in-law live close by, and I enjoy spending time with our grandchildren.

Tune in to learn more about Jondi’s career journey!

Jondi Gumz | Editor Times Publishing Group Inc.

Tim Fitzmaurice | UC Santa Cruz Professor, Writer and Artist

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Carol Panofsky. 

Carol, a musician, teacher, and graphic artist, is a s long-time Santa Cruz resident. She runs a minuscule business that provides layout and design services for musicians as well as teaching materials. She serves as Theory Director for the Ragazzi Boys Chorus and also teaches oboe, piano, early winds, and music theory privately. She is on the boards of the Santa Cruz County Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, and of the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony. 

Carol loves chamber music, and was one of the early organizers and performers for the Santa Cruz Chamber Players. More recently she started a series of free lunch-time concerts at the central branch of the Santa Cruz Public Library. Her plan was to do it as long as people came to the concerts and as long as there were musicians eager to donate their performances. The project was a stunning success, but is currently on hold due to Covid. With luck, concerts will resume in January.

Tune in to learn more about Carol’s career journey.

Carol Panofsky | Musician, Teacher & Graphic Artist

Tune in today at 7 PM to the What to Be Show on KSQD 90.7 FM Community Radio to hear from Jamie Lyons. 

Jamie is an avid surfer, educator, writer, filmmaker, sailor and stage director who received an AB and PhD from Stanford University. “With The Iota, I construct site-specific performances of the fragmentary plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. As co-founder artistic director of Collected Works I co directed a site specific production of Jean Genet’s The Balcony at the Old Mint in San Francisco. My other experiences in theatre include work at the Mark Taper Forum, Magic Theatre, The Public Theatre, La Mama ETC, PS122, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and for six years at the avant-garde New York-based theatre company, Mabou Mines. In recent years I have taught at Stanford University, UCLA, UCSC, USF, Yale, and San Quentin State Prison. 

Tune in to learn more about Jamie’s great career story.

Jamie Lyons | Artist, Educator, Writer, Filmmaker & Stage Director

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Dr. Andrea Cook. 

Dr. Cook is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY30174) with experience working with adults in a variety of settings, including: primary care medical clinic, partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient program, and substance abuse clinic. Treatment areas have included: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, relationships, trauma, chronic pain, smoking cessation, and co-morbid mental health and medical issues. 

Andrea is also a Faculty member at University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) teaching Nutritional Psychology, Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. 

Tune in today to learn more about Andrea’s career journey

Dr. Andrea Cook | Clinical Psychologist & Therapist

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from DeAndrea James.

DeAndre has worked various roles within the healthcare sector for over 20 years. He began his healthcare career as a Hospital Corpsman (Emergency Medicine & Surgery) in the US Navy. He recently served as Chief Operating Officer at San Mateo Medical Center, as well as Executive Director of Dignity Health Medical Group. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s in Health System Management from Rush University. His mission is to ensure an equal and fair opportunity for every individual to attain the highest level of health and wellness regardless of socioeconomic barriers.

Tune in to learn more about DeAndre's career journey!

DeAndre James | Executive Director of Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from local Santa Cruz Artist and Painter Ray Evans.

Following early art training at La Jolla High School, Mr. Evans began his art exposure and sales at the Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town, San Diego. He had an ongoing contract with them as their in-house artist and had frequent showings there, as well as at the Tri Forum Gallery in Point Loma. He now resides in Santa Cruz, CA where he extensively studied at the nearby University of California and Cabrillo College. His work has been shown in many coastal galleries including San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, and Venice Beach. Further from home, the Thompson Art Gallery in South Carolina, private collections in Arizona, and various restaurants and businesses have his pieces. Additionally, he continues to offer custom paintings for individual homes, even assisting in the design on location.

Tune in today to hear more about Ray's career journey!

Ray Evans | Artist and Painter

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Diane Cowen.

Diane is the Adult Services Librarian at the Capitola Branch of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. After serving as the Communications Manager for the Library system for 10 years, she is happy to engage the community directly with adult programs and services. Her programming interests include social justice and outreach to underserved populations, civic engagement, and the humanities. She has a BA in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Santa Cruz and a Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from San Jose State University. She is the project manager for the Library’s SoundSwell Local Music Collection, which fairly compensates local musicians for making their music available to library cardholders for free. A long-time supporter of Community Radio, Diane is thrilled to volunteer on the Board of Directors for K-Squid Community Radio, which brings together her programming interests in community conversations with great music for a local feel.

Diane Cowen | Adult Services Librarian Capitola

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Mariah Roberts.

"I serve my community through creative/collaborative efforts across sectors. Currently, I'm laser focused on activating the power of our Santa Cruz County Park public spaces through inclusion, access and partnerships.”

Tune in to learn more about Mariah's career journey!

Mariah Roberts | Executive Director at County Park Friends

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Heather Rogers.

Heather has been a public defender for nearly 20 years in the state and federal courts. Heather has handled cases at every stage of litigation, from arraignment through trial and appeal. She has represented clients accused of offenses from delinquency to homicide, defended detainees incarcerated at Guantánamo Naval Base in Guantánamo, Cuba, and argued cases in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Heather is honored to serve as the first Public Defender of Santa Cruz County, her birthplace and home. Before her appointment, Heather served as a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County.

Tune in today to learn more about Heather’s career journey!

PC: Kevin Painchaud/Lookout Santa Cruz

Heather Rogers | Public Defender of Santa Cruz County

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Sara Decelle.

Sara is an Academic Specialist faculty member at Cabrillo College specializing in the development of career education noncredit courses. Sara partners with faculty all across the college to revise and develop noncredit courses. These courses are tuition free, repeatable, and designed for gaining or refining skills for the workplace. In addition, Sara runs a STEM field teaching class at Cabrillo College with partner funding from CSUMB's RISE Ready NSF Noyce grant.

Sara Decelle | Academic Specialist Faculty Cabrillo College

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Malakai Wade.

Malakai is an independent audio producer creating podcasts in Los Angeles. She currently works as an associate producer for Wondery. She has a degree in journalism and a passion for solutions-driven storytelling, astronomy, and photography.

Malakai Wade | Independent Audio Producer

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Hilary Bryant.

Hilary is the Donor Services Director for the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County. She co-founded Buoy Labs in 2015, a tech startup that optimizes the way we use water, which was acquired in 2019. She was a Santa Cruz City Council member from 2010-2014 and served as Mayor in 2013. Hilary is Co-chair for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Board, Chair of the Local Stewardship Council for the Santa Cruz World Surfing
Reserve and on the Cruz Foam Advisory Board. In addition, she is a member of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary and the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce Emeritus Board. A UC Santa Cruz graduate, Hilary earned her BA in Biology, was an All-American water polo player, and enjoys biking, running, and surfing.

Hilary Bryant | Donor Services Director at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Executive Salesman Sean Bigley.

"I was born in Boston and grew up in the East Bay area of Northern California. I grew up very much involved in sports & played college baseball. I enjoy sports, fitness, cooking, writing, coffee & punk rock music. I have a side fitness business and for most of my professional career, I've been a sales executive. Companies I've worked for are Xerox, Ikon, WebEx, and VSP(vision service plan)."

Tune in today to learn more about Sean's career journey!

Sean Bigley | Executive Sales

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Dave Decelle. "After 7 years as a Director of Consumer Insights at Netflix, I started my own consulting firm in 2019. For over 20 years, I’ve been weaving essential consumer and business insights into compelling stories and conceptual frameworks that simplify complex relationships, crystallize business strategies, and, ultimately, persuade executive audiences.

I’m adept at synthesizing insights across multiple data sources, including qualitative, survey, behavioral, a/b test and analyst data. I apply design thinking in my research to develop conceptual frameworks that creatively contextualize business opportunities and unlock innovative thinking.

While I most recently focused on the technology and entertainment media categories at Netflix, I have experience across a variety of sectors, including financial, automotive, food & beverage, retail, and general consumer goods and services. 

In a past life, I was a videographer and multimedia producer, and I continue to apply those storytelling skills to bringing consumers to life in a compelling way that helps business leaders deeply empathize with their customers. My work has spanned the globe, taking me to such places as London, Stockholm, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City, Bogota, Sao Paolo and Voronezh (that’s in Russia).

In my downtime, you can find me surfing head-high waves on my longboard off the coast of Santa Cruz, CA.”

Experience in: Consumer research, consulting, storytelling and conceptual frameworks that drive innovations in product and content development, brand positioning, and marketing strategy.
Tune in today to learn more about Dave’s career journey!

Dave Decelle | Consultant

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Erin Dunn.

Erin is a bilingual educator, nonprofit professional and former US Army nurse with a master's degree in International Development. She's dedicated over 20+ years to learning, volunteering and working to create positive change in hospitals, schools, churches, and diverse communities around the globe. As a former ultra runner/elite cyclist and dancer she's always been a part of the fitness and wellness community. Her strong belief in the healing powers of movement inspired her to become a personal trainer and take a serious career pivot into the fitness and wellness industry. She is the Group Fitness Co-Director at Rocky's Rehabilitation, Fitness and Conditioning where she works with nationally-recognized fitness expert Rocky Snyder and his team to deliver specialized programs focused on cutting-edge neuroscience and biomechanics to help people face their unique challenges. 

Tune in today to learn more about Erin’s career journey!

Erin Dunn | Rocky's Fitness

Tune in to this episode of the What to Be Show to hear from Bibianna Rocha.

Bibianna is the Tax Collection Supervisor at the County of Santa Cruz with ten years of accounting, human resources, and outreach experience. She utilizes this experience to ensure the Tax Collector’s Office follows the laws required for collection of Property Tax, Cannabis Business Tax, Transient Occupancy Tax, and Cup Tax while effectively communicating with the public.
 
Bibianna was born and raised in Northern California in a small town called Live Oak where she found her passion to volunteer and give back to her Latino community. In 2020, Bibianna distributed over 10,000 masks to farmworkers in South County in the height of the COVID pandemic. Bibianna also created the first ever Rally in the Pajaro Valley softball tournament to raise funds for a local youth organization and encourage team building among nonprofit agencies. Since moving to Watsonville in 2019, she has served on several Board of Directors and Committees for the following nonprofits: Encompass Community Services, United Way, and Central Coast Early Childhood Advocacy Network. She currently serves as a member for the Data and Equity Group within the county to ensure the county is putting into action the new equity statement that was unanimously passed in October 2023.
 
In addition, Bibianna is a mother of two young children and hopes to instill the same passion to volunteer in her children.

Tune in today to learn more about Bibianna’s career journey!

Bibianna Rocha | Tax Collection Supervisor County of Santa Cruz

Chief Operating Officer of Verve Coffee | Rob Gaukel

Licensed Clinical Psychologist| Meg Sandow

Marketing Manager, Sambrailo Packaging | Sara Lozano

Radiology Technologist | Krista Cramer

Filmmaker | Chris Mcgilvray

In this interview, program manager Hayley Mears of Monterey Bay Career Connect shares the ups and downs of career goals, program management, and working at a non-profit. Tune in!

YFIOB

Program Manager | Hayley Mears

In this interview Jack Alcantara walks us through the ins and outs of what it's like to be a public defender and provides advice and direction for those seeking to follow a career path toward criminal justice. 

Do you have any questions for Jack Alcantara? Reach out and ask away by going through his website: www.scdefenders.com

Jack Alcantara | Chief Investigator for the Santa Cruz County Public Defender's Office

Nick Winkler, a proud father and people-person extraordinaire, is the general manager of Los Jardines de San Juan, a wonderful restaurant in San Juan, CA. It's hard to go wrong with this guy, Nick's story goes from banking, to radio, to TV, and finally to his current position as general manager, and he makes sure to treat the people around him with unmatched care. Tune in to Nick Winkler's interview to learn about how perseverance and initiative can take you anywhere in life you'd like to go.

Nick Winkler | General Manager at Los Jardines de San Juan

Burr Guthrie walked several career paths along his journey before finding his calling in Adult Education. Though he made sure to keep learning and adding tools to his belt as he tried each path, and he feels it makes him a successful Coordinator of Adult Ed. at the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

Burr Guthrie | Coordinator of Adult Education at PVUSD

Tom AmRhein has been working on a farm almost his entire life. No, really, for literally almost his entire life. Tom was born and raised a hard worker, the son of a World War II veteran. In this episode, we learn from Tom what it is like to work among all areas of the agriculture industry, from field work to data collection, he's had hands on everything in the farm.

Tom AmRhein | Vice President of Naturipe Berry Growers and General Manager of Elkhorn Berry Farms

Romelia Orozco-Lochte may be one of the most inspiring individuals to have interviewed on What To Be. Born and raised in Mexico, she found a passion for engineering at a young age and was often told it would not be a good option for her, as a woman. She powered through any obstacles in her way with an unmatched work ethic and propensity to take the initiative for growth opportunities.

Romelia Orozco-Lochte | Industrial Engineer and Life Coach

A radio show hosted by Your Future Is Our Business, a Santa Cruz non-profit which helps students explore careers. We interview and highlight the careers of inspirational people in Santa Cruz County and ask them to tell us what their job is really like, and how they got there! Our show airs Sundays at 7pm 90.7fm KSQD Santa Cruz , or stream online at ksqd.org. New episodes uploaded every week!

What To Be

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