MEET OUR TEAM

Debbie has served as President of WE since 2019 and also fills the lead role for WE’s Partnerships & Programs. Previously, she served as the Chair of the Finance Committee and liaison to WE partner project, ESTIMA. Debbie spent her career at UCSD, where from 1998 to 2015 she was Assistant Vice Chancellor for Resource Administration for the office of UCSD Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Previously, she was Assistant Dean for Fiscal Affairs for the School of Medicine from 1985 to 1998. Debbie received her Master of Arts from the University of Denver, Graduate School of International Studies and Public Policy, focused on Research Methodology and International Trade. She also has been an active volunteer in San Diego for Catholic Charities of San Diego, San Diego Creative Weavers Guild, and Sandy Point Homeowners Association.

Teresa, a Partner at Major Executive Search has over 20 years of achievements as a global HR executive in the Communications, Information Technology and Professional Services Sectors. Throughout her career, Ms. Jacques has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion working with boards and executive teams to maximize capabilities and potential. Ms. Jacques remains at the forefront of board governance and compliance matters through her involvement with the Corporate Director’s Forum. She co-chairs the 2020 Women on Boards San Diego, Campaign, dedicated to accelerating the number of Women on Boards at public companies. As an active community member, Ms. Jacques has served on a number of nonprofit boards and has led fundraising efforts to support youth and military family causes. She has a Master of Arts Degree in Manpower Studies from the University of Westminster UK and completed the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School. She currently serves as WE Vice President.

Bridget Burns is an attorney at Tresp, Day & Associates, Inc., a law firm in Solana Beach, California focusing on all aspects of trust and estate law, including complex estate planning, asset protection, charitable planning, probate, and trust administration.  Bridget attended New York University School of Law and received her BA from the University of San Diego. She also serves as a committee chair for the Lawyers Club of San Diego, a bar association dedicated the advancement of women in law and society, and is currently Secretary of WE.

Christy serves as program liaison to Fonkoze, WE’s partner in Haiti. She has an educational background in Psychology, Emergency Medicine, and Educational Therapy. She worked for 20 years as an Emergency Room physician and the last 15 years as an Educational Therapist. She served on the Board of SD International Dyslexia Association and was a speaker at multiple dyslexia conferences. Now retired, she volunteers at a non-profit in Solana Beach that offers after school tutoring to the Hispanic community. Christy has made site visits to WE partner projects in Mexico; Haiti and Uganda.

Susan is a high-tech and wireless communications pioneer who spent her career in product development at Qualcomm. She is an active community volunteer as a member of the San Diego Women’s Foundation and past President of the Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach. Susan sits on the WE Programs and Partnerships Committee. She holds an MBA from SDSU.

Linda is an Executive Career Consultant with UCSD’s Rady School of Management. She has spent her career in human resources and career coaching, advising individuals on careers and identifying and making the most of their talents. Passionate about philanthropy and volunteering, Linda is involved with the Honor Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association. She brings her talent for supporting women entrepreneurs to the WE Board. Linda is active on WE’s Programs and Partnerships Committee.

Kristen is an Associate at Goldman Sachs under the Human Capital Management division. She has eight years of prior experience working at nonprofit organizations and educational institutions throughout California, including UC San Diego, CSU Fullerton, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, and Twin Rivers Unified School District. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership from SDSU and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Ohio State University. Kristen is committed to combating poverty and inequality around the world, particularly where it affects the lives of women and girls.

Barbara is an Emerita Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC San Diego. Prior to her retirement, she served ten years as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Education for the university. She received her B.S. in chemistry from Baldwin-Wallace College, and Master’s degree from San Diego State University, and Ph.D. in physical inorganic chemistry jointly from UC San Diego and SDSU. She is on the Board of Governors of the Gemological Institute of America, the Board of Trustees of the American  University of Armenia, and is a Commissioner of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. She serves as Chair of WE’s Governance Committee.

Erin is a political consultant with the firm NWP in Seattle, WA. She leads issue and initiative campaigns, and is highly skilled in communications and media relations. Erin previously worked for Senator Barbara Boxer as well as other candidate and ballot measures in California. She is an active volunteer and holds a degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego. Erin is active on WE’s Fundraising & Development Committee.

Loretta has over 45 years of diverse experience in management and leadership roles at UC San Diego. She served as Vice President and President of the UCSD Retirement Association for a two-year period and she still is an active member. She also is a returning WE Board Director who was instrumental in the selection and implementation of WE’s Constituent Database System. She also assisted with fund-raising activities and walked the Camino De Santiago walk, which raised funds for WE. Loretta currently is a member of the La Jolla Sunrise Rotary club and will serve as president as of July 1, 2021.

Mrs. Landen Villanueva has 20 years’ experience in the public and private sector supporting the US Navy. First as an enlisted sailor, then as a private industry contractor, and now as a public servant working for the Navy. Landen is a graduate of the University of Phoenix (BS Business Management) and San Diego State University (MS Public Administration). She is an enthusiastic mom, wife, triathlete, and musician. This will be the beginning of Landen’s journey with WE and she is very excited for the opportunity to do great things with WE!