The leadership and staff of the External Relations and Communications division bring years of experience and expertise to the CSU. Get to know them and the areas they represent.
Greg Saks Vice Chancellor External Relations and Communications P: (562) 951-4625Biography
Melissa Watkins Assistant Vice Chancellor Systemwide Advancement P: (562) 951-4402 Biography
Nathan Dietrich Assistant Vice Chancellor Advocacy & State Relations P: (916) 320-4875Biography
George Conant Assistant Vice Chancellor Office of Federal Relations P: (202) 434-8060Biography
Caron Laird Interim Senior Director Marketing Communications P: (562) 951-4680Biography
Jeanne Fratello Interim Senior Director Integrated Internal Communications P: (562) 951-4750 Biography
Amy Bentley-Smith Interim Senior Director Strategic Communications and Public Affairs P: (562) 951-4829Biography
(562) 951-4625
Greg Saks Vice Chancellor External Relations and Communications
Shannon Matthews Director of Operations
Kathleen David Executive Assistant
Organizational Chart
CSU Advocacy and State Relations 915 L Street, Suite #1160 Sacramento, California 95814 Phone: (916) 445-5983
Nathan Dietrich Assistant Vice Chancellor Advocacy and State Relations
Eric Bakke Director, State Relations
Yarikza Comparan Manager, Operations and Administration
Adriana Gomez Legislative Advocate
Michelle Hansen Administrative Support Coordinator
Maryann Reyes Director of External and Tribal Relations
VACANT Legislative Advocate
Assistant Director
Adriane Tafoya CSU CalNAGPRA Project Manager
Vacant Manager, University Relations and Advocacy
Toby Uptain-Villa Manager, University Relations & Advocacy
Anabel Urbina Legislative Administrative Assistant
Maggie White Legislative Advocate
CSU Office of Federal Relations444 N. Capitol St. NW, Suite 207 Washington, DC 20001 Phone: (202) 434-8060
George Conant Assistant Vice Chancellor Federal Relations
VACANT Legislative Director
Greg Schuckman Senior Manager, Federal Agency Relations
Trevor Guthrie Federal Relations Manager
VACANT Policy Specialist
Jeanne Fratello Interim Senior Director, Integrated Internal Communications
Alex Beall Writer and Editor
Alisia Ruble Strategic Communications Writer
Brenda Wong Editorial Content Manager
(562) 951-4670
Caron Laird Interim Senior Director, Marketing Communications
Lucas Alvarado-Farrar Photographer/Videographer
Matthew Barrie Web Developer
Jen Cook Senior Project Manager, Marketing
Victor Garcia Graphic Designer
Raquel Griffiths Director of Production
Liz HurtadoMarketing Communications Coordinator
Jina Kim Art Director
Roger MorrowPrint Services Manager
Susie Nakao Graphic Designer
Jae Paik Manager, Web Development
Jay Pearson Marketing Manager
Aaron Rawls Web Developer
Salvador Rodriguez Marketing Communications Manager
Joseph Soltis Project Manager
Greg Steiner Print Services Lead
Ricky Sua SharePoint Developer
Apryll White Administrative Assistant
(562) 951-4800
Amy Bentley-Smith Interim Senior Director Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
Amy Bentley-Smith Interim Senior Director, Media Relations & Public Affairs
Hazel Kelly Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Manager
Shaidy Ruiz Social Media Specialist
Janessa Thropay Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Coordinator
Vacant Senior Director, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
(562) 951-4810
Melissa Watkins Assistant Vice Chancellor Systemwide Advancement
Jodi Braverman Manager, Constituent Engagement
Sam Camarena Manager, Advancement Academy
Wendy Chavira Garcia Senior Manager, Development & Donor Relations
Aaron Moore Executive Director, Advancement
Kim ShibataAdministrative Coordinator, Advancement
Donnie Tippie Administrative Coordinator, Advancement Services