2019 College of Business Showcase
Outstanding Student Awards
MBA - Master of Business Administration
Allison Bradley
Allison began her educational journey at Cypress Community College where she received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. Her journey continued at California State University, Long Beach where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance in 2015. She is a Senior Human Resources Assistant for North Orange County Regional Occupational Program where she is able to utilize the skills learned through CSUMB’s MBA program, such as building relationships, communicating effectively, and practicing humility.
Allison is most proud of her civic-minded attitude and how she empowers others to give back to her community. She interned for Make-A-Wish® Greater Los Angeles and is the Vice-President of the Career Education Foundation. She is determined, focused, and looks at obstacles to turn them into realistic solutions. Allison, a single mom, is raising her daughter to do the same. She is able to instill in her daughter that hard work pays off, and her family is her team that supports her all the way. Allison credits her support system for making this journey a reality. Her parents instilled in her that hard work, determination, and giving back are part of the journey that makes the world a better place.
Allison is humbled by everyone who was on this journey with her and she is excited to see where this journey takes her.
BSBA - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Cristina Bonilla
Cristina Bonilla was raised in Salinas, CA. She is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting. She is inspired by her loving parents Gregory and Mary Elizalde, who recently celebrated 56 years of marriage. She attributes her strong work ethics to her parents, who are still working at ages 73 and 75. She is the youngest of five siblings and will be the first to receive a Bachelor's Degree.
Cristina is a non-traditional student. She worked full-time after high school and obtained an Associate of Arts in Digital Arts from Hartnell College. Her past employment includes administrative positions in healthcare and health insurance. Her employers and co-workers appreciated her commitment, enthusiasm, and energy in the workplace. She is married to Robert Bonilla and they have two children, Bobby, age 12, and Obediah, age 6. After the birth of their second child, Cristina became a homemaker to care for their children.
Cristina enjoys volunteer work in her community. She teaches Sunday school classes to children at Cypress Church Gonzales. She has also coached basketball, T-ball, and soccer for children through the City of Gonzales recreation program. Parents enjoy her patience, enthusiasm, and leadership while teaching and coaching the children.
Cristina is very grateful to her husband, children, family, friends, and CSUMB faculty for their support during her journey while obtaining her degree. Most of all, she is thankful to God for blessing her with an amazing support team and with the endurance to persevere.
BSSHM - Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Hospitality Management
Vincent Encarnacion
Vincent is a California Native, born in San Francisco and raised in the Monterey Peninsula. After graduating from North Salinas High School, Vincent earned his Associate of Arts in Communication at Hartnell Community College before enrolling at CSUMB for Sustainable Hospitality Management.
In addition to his hotel, resort, and event management courses, Vincent studied Ecotourism in the Fall of 2018, where he was one of the first students to participate in the BSSHM’s Study Abroad program to Costa Rica, researching exemplary ecotourism models and sustainability practices. In the Spring of 2018, Vincent was recruited as the event coordinating intern for the 5th Annual GourmetFest, an extravagant four-day food and wine festival hosted in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
During the Summer of 2018, Vincent was one of the first fifteen students selected to participate in the inaugural Pebble Beach - CSUMB Special Events Management Team program, serving as a hospitality manager for one of the resort’s corporate clients at the 68th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. In the Fall 2018, Vincent took the opportunity to collaborate with the A’Viands team of CSUMB and design a tablescape for Rancho Cielo at the 22nd Annual Culinary Classique d’Elegance, a dinner benefitting the Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula. Within that same month, Vincent also designed and coordinated his first wedding, guiding the wedding planning process and designing florals for the entire bridal party, in addition to a dinner reception of over 130 guests.
Vincent currently works as the Administrative Assistant for the Floral and Event Design Department at Pebble Beach Resorts where he helps coordinate high-end weddings and events for corporate clients. Outside of work, Vincent takes on side projects, designing florals, decor, and graphics for small weddings and other events.
In his free time, Vincent enjoys beachcombing for sea glass to add to his growing collection, taking walks around local neighborhoods and parks to pick up trash, collecting plants, and tackling small projects with graphic design and film. His appreciation and concern for the environment motivates him to incorporate sustainability practices into his lifestyle. In the future, Vincent hopes to run and own his own event planning and design company that specializes and operates on environmentally-conscious initiatives, while actively seeking ways to give back to the local community.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Ekaterina (Cate) Miller, B.S.B.A. '97
Ekaterina (Cate) Miller is a Pioneer student, graduating cum laude in the Class of 1997. She is shareholder/owner of Summit Accountancy Group in Soquel, California as well as serving as a lecturer of Finance and Advanced Accounting in the College of Business for the last 10 years. Professionally, Cate is an active member of the California CPA Society as well as a tireless support for numerous accounting students. She is also generous with her time and talent volunteering in the local community with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Santa Cruz Ballet and Theater Company as well as other organizations. Cate continuously demonstrates her leadership skills to benefit those around her. For these reasons and more--which we will gladly share when Cate receives her award during the College of Business Showcase scheduled for May 2nd at the University Center--the COB Alumni Chapter is pleased to announce Ekaterina (Cate) Miller as the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award.
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Kelly O'Brien, CEO of Tendaji, LLC
Kelly Erin O’Brien is CEO of Tendaji, LLC, a woman-owned, employee-driven service company based in Monterey, California. Tendaji aspires to fulfill its core principles of responsible business: Profit, Customer Service, and Employee Equity, Respect for the Environment, Community Service and Transparency in Governance. Continuous Improvement is a key process in the Company’s approach to Operations. “Tendaji” is a Swahili expression, meaning, “makes things happen”.
O'Brien was a founding partner and Chief Operating Officer of Sensortech Services LLC, a medical device logistics and program management services company. O’Brien’s career includes Environmental Engineering Research and Management for University of Santa Clara, New United Motor Manufacturing Inc, and FMC Corporation, San Jose CA. As a founding partner and Chief Information Systems Officer of Gaia Systems, Portola Valley CA, O’Brien designed and developed of Environmental Management GIS software and introduced two commercial products into the market.
Between 1990 and 1996, O’Brien taught Environmental, Health and Safety Management at University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz Extension, Foothill – DeAnza Community College District, Cupertino, CA, Merritt College, Oakland, CA, Mission College, Santa Clara, CA and the Community College of San Francisco. She is Past President of the Board of Directors of KUSP 88.9 FM, Central Coast Public Radio. She was a former on-air host of Life in the Fast Lane, a program that highlighted technologies that may lower dependence on fossil fuels.
O’Brien holds a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM), Sustainability and Environmental Management, Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with honors from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
In early 2019, O’Brien was named Executive-in-Residence at the College of Business, California State University Monterey Bay. She has served on the Dean’s Business Advisory Council since 2015.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARDS
David Rosenburg, VP of Guest Experience, Monterey Bay Aquarium
David Rosenberg is the Vice President, Guest Experience at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In his role, he chairs the Visitor Experience Steering Committee, which is responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of all aspects of the aquarium experience. David is credited with transforming the aquarium’s guest experience into the industry benchmark for excellence. Hosting over 2 million visitors annually, the Aquarium is recognized throughout the world as both a leading attraction and a global force for ocean conservation. The aquarium is applauded for its outstanding exhibits and live programming, which are key to communicating its mission to inspire conservation of the ocean.
After graduating from the University of Arizona, Mr. Rosenberg’s career began at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. He then rose to the executive ranks of Hyatt Hotels Corporation at some of their top properties in the United States. In 2007, Mr. Rosenberg returned to the attractions industry and took on his newly created position at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Mr. Rosenberg is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) – the global association for the attractions industry. Just prior to being elected to the board, he served as IAAPA’s Chairman of the Global Membership Committee, Chairman of the Zoos and Aquarium Committee and was a member of various constituency committees. He is an IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive. In 2015, he was awarded the association’s prestigious “Outstanding Service Award” for his contributions to the global attractions industry. He is highly involved in the hospitality community and served on the Executive Committee for Monterey County Hospitality Association, an organization representing attractions, golf courses, hotels and resorts throughout California’s Central Coast. Additionally, he sat on the Sustainable Hospitality Advisory Committee for California State University, Monterey Bay and is an active member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He has authored articles on methods to drive the visitor experience and has been a featured speaker at industry conferences and symposiums throughout the world. His hobbies include SCUBA Diving, triathlons, marathons and mountain biking throughout Monterey County.
“I grew up in the desert, so the ocean always seemed like the most magical thing to me as a kid—the fact that I now get to help millions of people make a meaningful personal connection with it is a dream come true.”
Katy Castagna, President and CEO, United Way Monterey County
Katy has a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University with concentrations in Anthropology and Latin American Studies, and an MBA with an emphasis in nonprofit management from The Anderson School of Management at UCLA. She has over 30 years of experience working and volunteering in public and nonprofit organizations in Southern California and Monterey. She has been with United Way Monterey County since 2004. During that time she has worked in community impact, developing programs such as 2-1-1, The Volunteer Center, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance free tax prep service. She has also overseen resource development and been responsible for the major donors and grants, as well as general operations. Since July 2015 she has served as President and CEO of United Way Monterey County and is leading the organization’s focus on financial stability for families through access to affordable quality child care, housing, and financial literacy.
She and her husband reside in Monterey, where they raised their two children.