Women's History Month

Women in Business Panel Discussion

ilseu — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 15:33:18 +0000

Women in Business Panel Discussion ilseu Wed, 03/30/2022 - 08:33 More Blog Posts Elias Almarez-Herrera ’23 March 30, 2022

The UCR Business Graduate Programs Office hosted a panel of MBA alumni and student leaders in a roundtable discussion focused on women in the workplace. This meaningful conversation provided a platform for highlighting real experiences, challenges, and solutions related to gender, inclusion, and empowerment in professional settings. The event reflected the school’s commitment to fostering dialogue around diversity, equity, and representation, while offering current and prospective students insight into how women can succeed and lead in business.

Participants in the discussion represented a wide range of industries and career stages, offering perspectives that were both personal and practical. From alumni who have built successful careers over decades to student leaders who are just beginning to shape their professional paths, the panel demonstrated the value of mentorship and the importance of having spaces dedicated to open conversations

On Inclusion:

Victoria Guidry ’23, MBA-marketing: "A great vision of inclusion happens through our guest speakers and the many women who come to share their stories with us."

Jazmin Hernandez ’23, PMBA: "Inclusion inspires innovation. I see inclusion practiced throughout our school. Now that I'm part of an MBA program, I see myself growing professionally and personally. I know I’ll be able to excel in my career."

Their remarks highlighted how inclusion is not only an aspirational value but also a lived practice at UCR. By ensuring that voices are heard and experiences are acknowledged, the School of Business is helping students develop confidence and build networks that strengthen both their academic and professional journeys.

On Change & Gender Differences:

Janice Rooths ’94, CEO of Equity Leadership Academy: "When I first started in the workforce, women couldn't even wear pants. If you're a woman, people will look at you and assume you don't already know what you're doing. I'm a short person—only 5 foot, 3 inches—but I like to say, ‘I think tall.’ You take your intellect and confront every situation. Everything in business comes down to problem-solving."

Tina Tonnu ’19, vice president of pricing and profitability reporting at City National Bank: "Whenever you start a position at a company, the negotiation room is where the money's at. That's where you negotiate your pay and your benefits. When women get in that room, we get nervous, we get tense, and that's when we start to self-sabotage. We shouldn't question our ability or our worth, we should instead practice self-promotion."

The reflections from Rooths and Tonnu underscored how much progress has been made in workplace culture over the decades, but also how much work still remains. They emphasized that confidence, preparation, and persistence are essential for women to navigate environments that may still carry biases or inequities.

On Empowerment & Support:

Renuka Kulkarni ’23, MBA: "Own up to your achievements and your skillsets. Put your foot down when it is required. Ask for a promotion or a change in project when you need it because you deserve that."

Jeanette Ordonez, director of the AGSM Career Development Center: "At AGSM, we have the Executive Mentorship Network to support women and all students. We have mentors from different occupations in different industries to guide students through the career opportunities they share about during the program. It is because of the women who came before us, the women today, and the future women leaders that glass ceilings continue to be broken."

These insights emphasized the importance of advocacy, mentorship, and community. By owning their skills and seeking support, women can move past traditional barriers and position themselves for advancement. The role of mentorship, as highlighted by Ordonez, also demonstrated how structured programs at AGSM are designed to ensure that students are not alone as they pursue ambitious goals.

The roundtable discussion ultimately reinforced that women in business thrive when they have opportunities to connect, share experiences, and support one another. Events such as this not only celebrate the achievements of UCR alumni and students but also prepare future leaders to continue breaking barriers and shaping inclusive workplaces.

View a recording of the virtual panel discussion:

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Women's History Month

student spotlight

career development

Making History for a Better Future

ilseu — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 20:40:57 +0000

Making History for a Better Future ilseu Wed, 03/23/2022 - 13:40 More News Darin Estep March 24, 2022

When she was growing up, Victoria Guidry never heard much encouragement about going to college. And she didn’t learn anything in high school about financial literacy.

She has since learned plenty about both topics, and she is using that knowledge to close gaps and inspire others. As she pursues her Professional MBA degree with a marketing concentration, she has big ambitions to do more – putting into action UC Riverside’s consistent status as the top university in the nation for social mobility.

Reflecting recently on the meaning of Women’s History Month, Guidry spoke not just in historic terms but about working toward a better future: “Within my faith, when you receive a blessing, it's important to also share it, because you were given something. And now you can use it to bless others.”

As a Graduate Student Ambassador, Guidry is collaborating on a project to connect poor high school students with ambassadors who overcame difficult circumstances. The goal is to provide encouragement and examples of how to pursue opportunities. The project was inspired by her own experience growing up in Southern California.

Following the divorce of her parents, she and her mother and sister often had to move place to place. Money was tight – and there were plenty of bullies and others who resented the idea of a young Black woman with a drive to succeed.

“I’ve never been surrounded by peers who have wanted and hoped for my success,” she said. “If I was succeeding, they'd try to push me down. … It was a huge leap of faith to get into college, to get my bachelor's. And even now it just seems crazy that I'm here working on my master’s.”

Guidry never forgot the students who shared her circumstances but didn’t manage the same success. “That bugged me as I got older,” she said. “Some kids make it, but what about the ones who don't? They think that they're stuck there.”

Learning how money works

Starting out as biology major at UCR, Guidry grew increasingly interested in her economics courses. She switched her major in her fourth year and still earned her bachelor’s in economics on time. In her application to the A. Gary Anderson School of Management, she explained her fascination with how money moves through the economy.

Guidry said one of the discoveries that surprised her was how K-12 students face wide discrepancies in available resources, usually based on where they live.

“And if you don’t learn right, how are you going to improve your situation?”

Guidry said she is driven by her faith, a desire to succeed on behalf of her family, and to provide inspiration to others. Beyond the outreach program with the Graduate Student Ambassadors, she has “millions of ideas,” including creating a nonprofit to teach financial literacy to high school students. She also would like to become a senior executive who can give back to UCR students by sharing expertise.

Moving onward

This spring she plans to transition from the marketing committee of the Graduate Student Ambassadors to the professional development committee to polish her networking skills. In addition to regular coursework, she is taking professional certification courses online in data analytics. She has not ruled out a doctoral degree, but she has plenty of ideas of what might be next after completing her master’s.

“There are so many things I want to do, besides giving back and donating my time and trying to start all these programs,” she said. “My more concrete goal is going into film production marketing – which may seem crazy based on everything that I like to do. But I have a real passion for movies.”

Guidry refers to one of those movies when talking about the woman from history who inspires her: NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, whose crucial work alongside other Black women in the 1960s went largely unrecognized until the 2016 film “Hidden Figures.”

“That was a huge inspiration,” Guidry said, noting the significance of seeing examples of Black women making major contributions to science. “They helped put a man on the moon, and they didn’t receive recognition until the movie came out.”

Guidry would like to find a similar place in Women’s History, as a source of inspiration to others.

“We've come so far, but also come so little,” she said. “I want to be able to make my mark, not necessarily in a financial way, but in a hopeful way.”

Victoria Guidry (right) with UCR School of Business Executive Fellow Maria Anguelova (left) and Assistant Professor of Teaching in Management Kyle Ingram (center) on campus.

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Women's History Month

student spotlight

Supporting Fellow Latinas in Business School

ilseu — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 23:34:58 +0000

Supporting Fellow Latinas in Business School ilseu Tue, 03/22/2022 - 16:34 More Blog Posts Laurie McLaughlin March 22, 2022

While MBA student Stephanie Moya is immersing herself in the coursework, class projects, and community service that make up her master’s experience, she’s also focused on one of the issues that matters to her most: Supporting first-generation Mexican American students, especially women, like herself.

“It is essential to motivate students, particularly Latina, who are underrepresented in MBA programs, and show them it is possible to pursue higher education,” says Moya, whose hometown is Corona, California. “It is crucial to pave the way for future generations who will be first in their families to earn a master’s degree.”

When she applied, Moya was attracted to the diversity within the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management (AGSM) MBA program, she says. “I was inspired because if someone with a background similar to mine can pursue an MBA degree, so can I.”

Choosing a master’s in business

When Moya was accepted to the MBA program, she was excited, and then she was worried; she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at UCR in 2021 and planned to attend law school. “But when I graduated, I realized I wanted to work for a tech company,” she says. So, she pivoted to the MBA program.

“At first, I was afraid—I had not taken any business courses during my undergraduate years,” she says. “Of course, it was a huge transition, and fortunately, I immediately made new friends who were also first-year MBA students with no business background, and I was a part of a community of ambitious people.”

Because UCR MBA students take the same or similar courses, she adds, “it is very easy to make long-term friends who support you through the journey. When I have struggled with a topic, my peers have helped me through. The alumni also care about everyone’s success, and it is encouraging to have a support system academically, mentally, and professionally.”

Moya serves as an AGSM graduate student ambassador, and within that role, she reaches out to other first-generation master’s students. “We host student panels to answer any questions incoming students might have about the program,” she says. “I can help others as an ambassador because I understand the doubts they may have as first-generation students.”

Aligning goals personally and professionally

Looking ahead, Moya has a clear vision: a position as a program manager at Google or Meta. “This aligns with my long-term goals. I want to gain a deeper understanding of the market, competition, and user requirements. I want to be responsible for helping launch new products and features while testing their performance.

“I would like to be part of a team working collaboratively with other departments creating the best products.”

With this in mind, her concern and support for Latinas in business will continue. “Where there is a more diverse, inclusive workforce, there is a greater understanding of the wants and needs of customers, which increases innovation and productivity,” she says. “More ideas will prosper, and that will make the world a better place.”

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Women's History Month

student spotlight

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going

ilseu — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:50:48 +0000

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going ilseu Mon, 03/21/2022 - 06:50 More Blog Posts Elias Almarez-Herrera ’23 March 21, 2022

Firsthand experience helping her mother run a business laid the foundation of Angelina Chavez's passion and drive in business. Raised by her mothers who immigrated from Apatzingán Michoacán in Mexico, she learned to appreciate the ethics of working hard to help others.

"My mom offered income tax services in the front portion of our home. I used to answer the phone and help out any way I could," she says. "Even though I didn't have many resources growing up, that didn’t stop me from pursuing leadership positions."

Angelina Chavez ’23

Chavez founded the Gay-Straight Alliance club in high school and has served as an example for her community for as long as she can remember. She was also the lead captain for her high school's soccer and track teams, and by her senior year, was elected Associated Student Body President. Pursuing a college education was the next step in her plan.

"Starting at UC Riverside, I had to adjust to a completely new environment. I didn't know anybody," she says. "I joined Latino Union and earned my first leadership position at UCR when I was elected Vice President of Marketing. I created graphics for events and met with organizations outside of UCR for community service. It was that experience that helped me decide on my concentration in marketing."

As she began to discover how her passions could aid in her professional development, Chavez landed an internship with UCR’s Associated Students peer mentor program. She was paired with a student government senator to learn about creating legislation and serving students across campus.

That experience led her to campaign for ASUCR the following year. Chavez beams as she describes having earned the most poll votes during the senator elections: "I put myself out there, which is not an easy thing to do. A lot of fear came up when it came to developing my public platform until I realized the student body believed in me."

"I went from being a pre-business, senate-mentee to becoming a senator and a student at the School of Business all at once," she says. "I was an active advocate for students in need, those who may have felt like they didn't have a voice.” However, in the following academic quarter, Chavez stepped down from ASUCR for personal reasons. "It was really hard to make that choice, but I've learned not to let obstacles define who I am as a leader or as a person," she says. "I decided to prioritize my health."

Chavez shares that mental wellness is one of the areas she has worked to destigmatize within the communities she serves. It took applying these same principles to her own life for her to find strength within vulnerability. She continues to serve and inspire young women as director of leadership for the Pi Beta Phi fraternity for women.

"I started as a scared first-year who used to tell myself I couldn't do things other people could because I came from an impoverished, non-traditional family," she says. "I followed my desire for sisterhood and am amazed at the person I am becoming."

From applying for an overseas business marketing internship in Spain to developing a model for her nonprofit organization that addresses food and housing insecurity, Chavez only has room to look to the future. "My experiences as a leader continue to humble me and boost my confidence."

"It takes resiliency built over time. Powerful women have mentored and believed in me," she says. "You can do anything you set your mind to. You're going to make mistakes, but you can become the person you want to be, you just have to reach out."

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Women's History Month

student spotlight

Future Business Leaders Look Forward

ilseu — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 21:17:02 +0000

Future Business Leaders Look Forward ilseu Wed, 03/16/2022 - 14:17 More Blog Posts Elias Almarez-Herrera ’23 March 16, 2022

Becoming a business leader takes discipline and determination. The Future Business Leaders of America Phi Beta Lambda chapter (FBLA-PBL) at UC Riverside aims to cultivate a space for members to familiarize themselves with modern business practices that will position them for success. As a student organization, the chapter provides networking, mentorship, and learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, giving members a chance to explore career paths and refine their professional skills.

FBLA-PBL President Lynette Lee ’22 takes pride in the time and effort she has invested in the UCR chapter. What she finds most rewarding is the opportunity to influence new cohorts of young entrepreneurs. She relates deeply to the potential—and courage—rooted in each student. For Lee, serving as president is not only a responsibility but also a privilege that allows her to contribute to the development of others while continuing her own personal growth.

“When I first became an FBLA general member, I remember being overwhelmed,” she says. “I cried after my first meeting. We had to sit with established members in a one-on-one interview format. I wondered if business was the right path for me.”

Her honesty about those first challenges highlights the resilience and determination required to thrive in a business environment. Many students experience moments of doubt at the start of their journey, and Lee’s openness provides encouragement to those who may feel uncertain about their ability to succeed. Her story illustrates that leadership is often built from experiences of vulnerability and perseverance.

Learning how to interact with passionate business leaders is a quality often emphasized by those who have developed the skills to do so. FBLA-PBL provides structured opportunities for students to practice these interactions, from mock interviews to formal presentations. Lee explains the importance of understanding your own leadership style in order to maximize productivity, a lesson she has internalized through her years of active involvement.

“I initially chose business because of my parents’ experience in the field,” she says. “I used to think ‘I don’t have the right personality for business,’ but I stuck with it. Immersing myself in accounting has taught me more about myself. I am introverted, I tend to nitpick about my workspace, but I love what I do and the people I work with.”

Her reflection demonstrates that leadership comes in many forms, and introverted students can thrive just as much as extroverted ones. By recognizing her own strengths and preferences, Lee has been able to create a leadership style that feels authentic and effective. This type of self-discovery is one of the chapter’s goals, ensuring that members graduate not only with technical skills but also with confidence in their personal identity as future professionals.

Having had the chance to speak publicly to a room full of FBLA members, Lee explains the shift in self-assurance that took place within her. While she reminisces on the risks she took to step beyond her comfort zone, the memories she holds closest to her are the small group gatherings and etiquette workshops she led for new members. These workshops gave her a chance to mentor others while reinforcing her own growth. They also created an inclusive environment where newer students could feel more at ease.

“I am inspired to be part of the movement toward representing women in leadership positions,” she says. “It’s always great to work with women who have similar goals as you. It makes you strive to be at their level.”

Her words capture the importance of representation and community, particularly for women entering leadership roles in business. By encouraging collaboration and support among peers, Lee is helping build a culture where future generations can continue to thrive. The UCR FBLA-PBL chapter not only equips students with business knowledge but also cultivates confidence, resilience, and a vision for leadership that extends far beyond campus.

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Women's History Month

student spotlight

Women Leaders Establish Scholarships, Endowments

ilseu — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 21:50:55 +0000

Women Leaders Establish Scholarships, Endowments ilseu Tue, 03/30/2021 - 14:50 More Blog Posts March 29, 2021

Recognizing women in leadership, we celebrate three women who are making history with the UCR School of Business.

Animal Advocate and High-tech Industry Veteran Looks to the Future

Having served on the UCR Foundation’s board of trustees since 2014, Susan Atherton ’77 established the Susan Atherton Endowed Graduate Award Fund, and she has a deep interest in the students whose lives are changed with a business education. A veteran of the high-tech industry, Atherton is also a long-time advocate for animals and serves on the directors’ boards of the Humane Society both nationally and internationally.

Riverside Entrepreneur Helps Students Understand Business

The co-founder and executive vice president of SolarMax Technology Inc., Ching Liu, supports students through the SolarMax Endowed Graduate Fellowship Fund and is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. As a UCR Business School executive fellow, she illuminates the real world of business for students and hosts lectures at her company’s Riverside manufacturing plant, a historic building that once housed a World War II tank factory.

Learn more about Liu’s impressive entrepreneurial success

The Importance of Investing in Causes that Matter

Investment expert and alumna Patricia Watters ’95, co-founder of Catalina Consulting Partners, established the Patricia A. Watters and Richard K. Lashbrook Endowed Student Award. She is also an executive fellow at UCR’s Business School and contributed to the Amnon Rapport Endowed Research Award Fund. Having earned both a master’s in economics and a doctoral degree in financial economics at UCR, she is deeply committed to the success of students and fellow alumni.

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Women's History Month

Solar Entrepreneur Shares Success with Others

ilseu — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 20:28:31 +0000

Solar Entrepreneur Shares Success with Others ilseu Mon, 03/29/2021 - 13:28 More News Darin Estep March 29, 2021

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we take a look at some of the women who are making their own history with the UCR School of Business.

When Patricia Watters Ph.D. ’95 thinks back to working on her doctorate in Financial Economics, she doesn’t think of brilliant insights. Instead, she remembers the hard work and perseverance while wondering if it was enough.

Watters said she still experiences self-doubt – and she is grateful for it.

“I’m not sure I want to overcome it,” she said. “If I want to feel confident about something, I am motivated to work really hard at it.”

That motivation is key to building deeper understanding of topics, said Watters, who remains an energetic advocate for the opportunities that education provides. Her own experience offers an excellent example.

Watters’ original intent behind pursuing her graduate education at UCR was to improve her standing as a college instructor. But her dissertation related to pricing water transfers earned an immediate job offer with a wholesale water distributor in Southern California.

A few years later, some of her colleagues from grad school approached her about joining a new investment management firm. The group of UCR alumni created funds of hedge funds for institutional investors, growing assets to $12 billion in just a few years.

In 2009, Watters went on to co-found Catalina Consulting Partners to identify investment managers’ operational risks that could adversely impact investors’ capital. The firm also assisted private fund managers to strategically develop their operational infrastructures and enhance their responses for investor due diligence.

As she was building this successful business, Watters noticed how UCR was also expanding its own horizons, increasing its focus on students, particularly first-generation students. This, she said, was the start of the social mobility role that is the hallmark of the university today.

Patricia Watters

School of Business Dean Yunzeng Wang convinced her of changes at the school, where students and faculty alike collaborate to foster meaningful learning experiences. She was honored to serve as an Executive Fellow at UCR’s School of Business, where she found new educational opportunities for students, such as the ambassador program and an investment club.

“That’s how I got re-engaged with UCR,” she said. “I was inspired by the students and their engagement. That gave me hope that there is a new generation coming up, eager to solve problems.”

In addition to participating in several speaker series at the School of Business, she contributed funds to complete the Amnon Rapport Endowed Research Award Fund, and established her own endowed scholarship, the Patricia A. Watters and Richard K. Lashbrook Endowed Student Award Fund.

“Education is so important to my husband and me,” she said. “It has opened doors for both of us, and we want other people to have these opportunities.”

The pandemic era has emphasized the importance of social mobility, Watters said, and she is proud of UC Riverside’s role in promoting opportunities for diverse groups of students.

“This is work we can support – what they are doing, and how they are doing it. In this way we can give back but also give forward, to the next generation.”

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Women's History Month

Patricia Watters

executive fellows

giving

Solar Entrepreneur Sticks with Her Dream, Shares Success with Others

ilseu — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 22:35:02 +0000

Solar Entrepreneur Sticks with Her Dream, Shares Success with Others ilseu Wed, 03/24/2021 - 15:35 More News Darin Estep March 24, 2021

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we take a look at some of the women who are making their own history with the UCR School of Business.

Ching Liu says her connection to the UCR School of Business was meant to be – and it all started with a phone call to the city of Riverside.

This was shortly after she co-founded a solar-panel company. When Liu learned Riverside was offering the nation’s most generous rebates for solar energy manufacturers, she made an appointment to meet with city leadership. Liu, who had lived in Southern California since leaving Taiwan at age 14, had never been to Riverside – but she fell in love with the city at first sight.

She and her partners soon found the perfect location for the business. Next they had to find talent to hire for the company. Liu was introduced to School of Business Dean Yunzeng Wang – and the rest is entrepreneurial and academic history.

“We became good friends and have supported each other ever since,” Liu said. “The whole transition to Riverside was meant to be. It happened so naturally. Every person I met at UCR was so friendly and helpful. We could meet and have a cup of coffee, just chat about ideas. It was very inspiring.”

This connection came at a crucial phase in Liu’s career. She had recently walked away from more than 20 years in the investment and banking industry to co-found and serve as executive vice president of SolarMax Technology Inc. And this happened to be during the difficult recovery from the Great Recession.

Liu and her partners persisted, and today SolarMax is a renewable energy leader specializing in residential solar, commercial LED lighting and energy storage solutions. It is the largest U.S.-headquartered solar developer operating in the People’s Republic of China.

Expanding connections

Ching Liu, right, Dean’s Advisory Council member, and Tamra Johnson, left, associate director for international programs

As the business grew, so did Liu’s relationship with the UCR School of Business. Liu supports students through the SolarMax Endowed Graduate Fellowship Fund. She joined the Dean's Advisory Council and served as an Executive Fellow, a role that allowed her to draw on her own experience to encourage students.

“I got into the banking and brokerage business, a male-dominated Wall Street world, as a young, Asian-American woman, speaking English as a second language,” she said. “I often say, ‘If I could do it, so can you.’”

She used her time as an Executive Fellow to show students the real world of business – inviting classes to attend lectures at the company’s Riverside manufacturing plant, a historic building that once housed a World War II tank factory.

These connections – between university, community and business – have been a constant for Liu, who has worked with the School of Business and Bourns College of Engineering to help the city of Riverside seek international investment.

She also serves as a member of the BCOE’s Center for Environmental Research & Technology Board of Advisors and Dean's Council of Advisors. SolarMax is a major sponsor of the university’s Economic Forecast Conference and, in 2018, was named the official corporate solar sponsor for the UCR Alumni Association.

That’s not to say success came easy. Liu acknowledges it took courage to leave her banking career behind to launch a company. She and her partners took out home equity loans and borrowed from family to make payroll. Sometimes they had to avoid the landlord.

Even in the most difficult times, however, Liu said she has enjoyed every minute of being an entrepreneur. The reason was she never stopped believing in her dream – something she tells students, especially women, to remember.

“Education is the proven path for any young woman to be able to make it out there,” she said. “When you are pursuing your career, in the beginning, it can be difficult. But believe in your work and stick around through the hard times. Success is the sweetness that comes after hardship.”

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Women's History Month

Ching Liu

executive fellows

giving

UCR Opened Doors for Philanthropist

ilseu — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 16:08:53 +0000

UCR Opened Doors for Philanthropist ilseu Tue, 03/23/2021 - 09:08 More News Darin Estep March 23, 2021

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we take a look at some of the women who are making their own history with the UCR School of Business.

If Susan Atherton thinks about it, her connection with UC Riverside has really come full circle in the time since she enrolled as a 17-year-old, first-generation college student.

After earning degrees in Business Administrative Studies and Economics in 1977, she forged a successful career in the male-dominated high-tech industry by working hard and focusing on her objectives. Today, that focus has turned to her philanthropic causes – including helping students like her 17-year-old self.

Susan Atherton

“I am so proud of UCR as a leading university for social mobility,” Atherton said. “I’m an example of that, and it’s emotional for me when I consider the opportunity that UCR provided.”

She has served on the UCR Foundation Board of Trustees since July 2014 and currently serves as the immediate past chair of the board and as the co-chair of the Student Success Initiative. She has served as an Executive Fellow for the School of Business, and in 2015 established the Susan Atherton Endowed Graduate Award Fund to support students in the Anderson Graduate School of Management.

“If you had asked me when I graduated, ‘What would you think if I said you would be chair of the foundation board?’ I would have laughed,” Atherton said.

Today, however, she takes such roles very seriously as an independent philanthropist. The long-time advocate for animals also serves as chair of the Board of Directors for Humane Society International and co-chair of the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of the United States.

Pursuing a passion

Susan Atherton, a long-time advocate for animals who currently serves as the chair of the Board of Directors for Humane Society International and as co-chair of the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of the United States, is shown with her rescue dog, Simba.

These wide-ranging philanthropic efforts have something in common: They are reflections of Atherton’s determination to pursue causes that are important to her.

It is the same approach she took in her business career, which included executive management positions in the enterprise software and cloud computing industries, working at NCR Corporation, GE Information Systems, Oracle Corporation, Rightpoint and DoubleClick.

At the time she began her career, the tech industry was “very much a male-dominated field,” she said, with “deals cut on the golf course and cigars after dinner.” But she succeeded by focusing on her objectives – advice she has shared with students as an Executive Fellow.

“Do good work, stay focused, continue to politely and firmly fight on behalf of yourself,” she said. “It’s important to follow your passions. You’ll be more successful that way. That doesn’t mean you don’t need a good job. Just choose something you enjoy and continue to strive toward roles that provide satisfaction in your work.”

Atherton grew up in Ventura County and moved to San Francisco in 1992, where she lives with her husband and fellow alum Dr. David K. Shuh (’83 BS chemistry) and their beloved rescue dog, Simba.

She remains a passionate advocate for UCR, its growth and the opportunities it provides to students.

“I have such great admiration for what UC Riverside has become,” she said, pointing to its enrollment of more students with Pell Grants than the entire Ivy League combined.

“To me, providing that kind of opportunity represents the best of California,” she said. “It represents who we are as a state, and who we are as a nation. This is really about making a difference in people’s lives.”

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Women's History Month