Dr. Sandra L. Morgan
Director, Global Center for Women and Justice
Vanguard University
Sandra L. Morgan, Ph.D., RN, holds a degree in nursing, a Masters of Arts in leadership studies and a Ph.D. in intercultural studies. Currently, she is the director of the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University and is a tenured professor; she is also an ordained minister. Dr. Morgan has dedicated her life to making the world a better place, whether it was as a nurse caring for people during their most vulnerable times or advocating for those who are victims of abuse. She is passionate not only about being a voice for the voiceless, but also about mentoring, providing opportunities for others, collaboration and developing/implementing programs, guides and instruction that can be duplicated worldwide.
Leading with inclusion, Dr. Morgan believes that it is important for all to have a seat at the table. She is recognized as an international expert in the area of human trafficking and has traveled around the world, teaching and providing education on the tragedy of human trafficking, prevention and ways to effectively combat this modern day slavery. She has been able to utilize her training and skills as both an educator and nurse, to provide a more holistic approach to caring for those who have been victimized.
One of the many things that make Dr. Morgan a stand-out leader is her belief in mentorship and the importance of training others. She shares her wealth of knowledge and connects others to her endless resources so that they are empowered with the correct information and are able to follow in her footsteps. As a leader she also finds it important to engage and educate her students, providing them with the best opportunities to grow in their academic career while preparing for their chosen profession. Dr. Morgan has served as a monitor and evaluator for the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, and is currently engaging in that same work for the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force and the Tulare County Human Trafficking Task Force. She is currently a member of the Board of the California Association from Criminal Justice Research.
EDUCATION / GOVERNMENT FINALISTS
Julianna Asperin Barnes
Chancellor
South Orange County Community College District
Dr. Julianna M. Asperin Barnes, chancellor of the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) since August 2022, brings over 30 years of higher education expertise. Her leadership fosters equity and innovation, notably recognized during her tenure as president of Cuyamaca College, earning national accolades for equity initiatives. She champions inclusivity and collaboration, reflected in her approach to addressing challenges and enhancing outcomes. Under Dr. Barnes, SOCCCD wields significant economic influence, generating approximately $1.9 billion annually and contributing to regional job creation. Her strategic vision includes construction spending that injects millions into the economy. Investments in education under her leadership yield a 4.3 benefit-cost ratio. Actively engaged in higher education, Dr. Barnes serves on the boards of the Community College League of California and the Orange County Business Council.
Nancy Huang
Chief Financial Officer
CalOptima Health
Nancy Huang, chief financial officer at CalOptima Health, headed the implementation of over $200 million in supplemental provider payments, ensuring member access to quality care post-COVID-19. Under her financial leadership, $94 million supported 14 CalAIM programs addressing urgent member needs such as homelessness and mental health. Huang established value-based reimbursement initiatives, including a $153.5 million hospital quality initiative and a $50 million grant program for community clinics. Managing CalOptima’s $4 billion budget with efficiency, she reduced administrative overhead to 4.6%, below commercial plans’ 15%. Implementing zero-based budgeting, she optimized spending and allocated funds strategically. Huang leads payment methodology development with 13,000 providers and holds a leadership role with the Department of Health Care Access and Information. Amidst the pandemic, her financial stewardship ensured CalOptima Health’s long-term stability, benefiting 950,000 low-income Orange County residents.
Gillian Hayes
Vice Provost for Graduate Education & Dean of the Graduate Division
University of California, Irvine
Dr. Gillian R. Hayes holds prominent roles as vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate division at UC Irvine. She is also the Robert A. and Barbara L. Kleist professor of informatics. Leading recruitment efforts for graduate students and post-doctoral scholars, she ensures their success and career readiness. Dr. Hayes’ research focuses on human-computer interaction, educational technologies and health informatics, notably co-directing the Jacobs CERES research network. Her leadership has secured over $15 million for UCI graduate education and raised significant Ford Fellowship funds. Under her tenure, UCI earned top rankings, including No. 1 Best College in the U.S. by Money Magazine and No. 3 for Diversity by The Wall Street Journal. Notably, 14 graduate programs rank within the top 20 among public institutions. Dr. Hayes emphasizes holistic student support, doubling academic counseling resources and implementing the Accelerate to Industry Program for job readiness.
Cynthia West
Director of the Leatherby Center
Chapman University
Cynthia West is the director of the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics and associate professor at Chapman University, CEO of Rezultant, sales strategy for startups, speaker, author and coach. She helps startups and entrepreneurs establish the sales side of their business by developing sales strategies, systems and processes, which grow revenues exponentially. As the sales leader for four startups, West is used to building from zero to $20 million. One startup was acquired inside of one year by a major corporation and at another startup, she was the third person onboard and took the company public in three years. At the other two, West set up sales systems and processes, built revenue models, hired, onboarded and managed sales teams.
