What is OD4CA?

CO-CHAIR

 Innovation and Development Bureau Chief
Department of Insurance (CDI)

Matthew Alves is the Program Operations Manager within the Human Resources Management Division at the California Department of Insurance (CDI). Over the last three years, his office has executed the strategies from the Department’s Workforce and Succession Plan, developed and implemented a new department engagement survey and facilitated an information gathering process that will transform the Department’s Strategic Plan. Aside from serving on the OD4CA, board Matthew has been a part of CDI’s Disability Advisory Committee and has served as the Chair for the last two years.
Prior to CDI Matthew managed dynamic teams in the telecommunications and insurance industry. His teams ranged from thirteen employees up to one hundred. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from San Francisco State University and his Masters of Business Administration from Strayer University. In his free time he likes spending time with his wife and daughter, watching sports and working out.

 SECRETARY

 Professional Development Section Chief 

Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS)

Beth Gelender joined state service with the Department of Health Care Services in 2019. She has over 11 years of experience in the health, fitness, and sport industries. Her prior experience includes positions with California Family Fitness and the Sacramento Kings. Her focuses have been on sales, services, marketing, and programs. She enjoys changing lives through positive influence. Beth is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and has a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from Ohio University. She loves meeting new people, traveling, basketball, and animals. In her current role as Organizational Development Manager, she oversees strategic planning, change management, employee wellness, and organization development for the department. She is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner and Certified ScrumMaster. She is a member of the Disability Advisory Committee, Behavioral Health Activities Awareness Committee, and Association of Change Management Professionals (NorCal Chapter). Beth is the Secretary of OD4CA.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Administrative Technician 

Office of Professional Development and Engagement

   Danelle Duril is the Management Services Technician at the Department of  Public Health. She works in the Organization Support Services Section of the Office of Professional Development and Engagement. In this role, she is responsible for providing admin assistance to current management, aiding the project managements teams in strategic planning, and organizational change management. Prior to joining state service in December 2023, Danelle spent 5 years working for Delta Dental insurance. She comes to OD4CA with over 30 years of customer service experience with an emphasis in dentistry.  In her spare time, Danelle enjoys nature hikes, movies at the theatre and spending time with her adult sons. Her personal belief in both life and career is we should help one another when the opportunity arises. Danelle also enjoys spending time with senior citizens and provides encouragement to the aging population. 

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Recruitment Specialist

Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)

Miriam Chatoian serves as the Recruitment Specialist at HCAI, where she has been instrumental in elevating recruitment strategies and nurturing a positive work environment. Her contributions include leading the development of the new recruitment team, implementing the Employee Recognition Program, overseeing Digital Marketing Campaigns, and managing the Hybrid Engagement Program to uphold high levels of employee satisfaction and retention.

With a diverse background spanning both the State and Private sectors, Miriam is deeply committed to fostering career growth and supporting individuals in achieving their professional goals. Her expertise in orchestrating digital and print marketing campaigns has fueled her passion for learning Graphic Design, complementing her ongoing pursuit of excellence in photography.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Enterprise Risk Analyst  

California Department of Conservation (CalGEM)

Shawn Sullivan joined CA state service in November 2022 as an AGPA with the Department of Conservation. She has over 23 years of experience in the residential real estate and finance industry, focusing on operations, strategic planning and business development, recruiting, training, and human resources. Shawn moved to Sacramento in December 2019, and is originally from Texas, where she obtained a BA in Journalism from Angelo State University and a JD from Texas Tech University School of Law. In her current role with the Department of Conservation, she works with other members of the CalGEM Enterprise Risk Unit to ensure that oil and gas operators obtain and maintain compliant bonding, and also assists with creating and updating unit policies and procedures to align with business needs. In her free time, Shawn loves to travel, attend live music and sporting events, go wine tasting, and spend time with her loved ones and friends. She also enjoys exploring Sacramento and trying new restaurants, wine bars, and coffee shops.   

MEMBER AT LARGE

Strategic Communications Manager

Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

Harriet Simpson serves as the Strategic Communications Manager within Human Resources at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). She has been in this role for over 7 years and has a passion for empowering, developing and educating current and future state employees on opportunities and ways to maximize their strengths.

As a manager within the Office of Talent Management, she played a pivotal role in developing and implementing the statewide Caltrans Mentorship program, as well as leadership interviews, webinars and a statewide symposium. She thoroughly enjoys motivating others through public speaking and utilizes creative solutions to always push the boundaries and accomplish wild goals.

Her background includes graphic design, communications, and canine behavior! She lives in the Sacramento area with her husband and 3 children, and enjoys exploring the beautiful surrounding area with her German Shepherds. 

MEMBER AT LARGE 

Planning and Performance Manager

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

   Rita Germain is the Planning and Performance Manager within the Enterprise Risk and Performance Office at DMV. In this role, she and her team are responsible for enterprise governance, enterprise performance management, strategic planning, and organizational change management, including oversight and sponsorship of DMV’s OCM Network. She is a Certified Prosci Crovideshange Practitioner. Prior to joining state service in 2014, Rita spent 25 years in the financial services industry, most recently as the Senior Vice President and Operations Manager for a local community bank. She is a twelve-year member of Kiwanis International and currently serves as President of the Kiwanis Club of Laguna-Elk Grove. In her spare time, Rita enjoys volunteering with the Kiwanis Family House and American Cancer Society, spending time with her 4 grandchildren, and traveling with her husband. She is an avid sports fan (Go Kings!) and is a cat mama of three: Buddy, Buster, and Posey. 

MEMBER AT LARGE 

Data Literacy Team

Department of Social Services (CDSS)

Patricia Willers has been working at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) since 2020, in the Research, Automation, and Data Division (RADD).  Before joining CDSS, she was an adult education instructor at UC Davis for a decade, mostly in English language education, but also in teacher training and empowerment program facilitation.  In RADD, she is a leading member of the Data Literacy team.  The team was created in 2020 as one element of the newly established RADD division, to support data literacy professional development, cycles of learning, resource sharing, and much more.  Organizational Change Management has been an essential element of the shift toward a more data-supported and empowered CDSS.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s degree in Linguistics from Leiden University.  In her free time, Patricia enjoys writing fiction, reading, camping, and traveling.  

MEMBER AT LARGE 

 Training Manager 

State Controller's Office(SCO)

Barbara Ching is the newly hired Training Manager at the State Controller's Office for the California State Payroll System (CSPS) Project. Barbara joined state service in 2017 at CalSTRS after serving in higher education and working with charter schools across the state of California. She has over a decade of experience in communications, training, student services, team building, and curriculum design and development. In her current position, Barbara oversees the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation for all things training and learning related to the CSPS Project. Barbara also serves as the Board Secretary for Make a Birthday Wish, a non-profit in the Bay Area that makes low-income and homeless children's birthday wishes come true. Barbara has a passion for life-long learning, bringing innovation to the State of California, and serving on teams that focuses on the people side of change. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and a Master’s degree in Education Administration.