Innovation and Impact Awards 2014

Innovation and Impact Awards are given to employees and/or teams of employees in recognition of exemplary service to UCOP.  Award winners will be recognized at an OP-wide ceremony on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the Elihu Harris State Office Building Auditorium.  Awards will be presented in three categories.

Advancing the Mission

Individual award

  • Cathy O'Sullivan—In addition to her regular job leading the Working Smarter Initiative, in the past year Cathy also served as Interim Chief of Staff for the CFO division during the realignment of the CFO and COO divisions.  She also chaired the President's Efficiency Review Initiative.  In this role, she brought together a diverse group of employees to make a material impact on OP, with 34 specific changes implemented in 2014.

Team award

  • Peggy Fiedler and Dr. Erin Marnocha - Development of the NRS Field Studies Program, a unique undergraduate experience that takes advantage of the largest and most diverse suite of university-run protected areas that will be a transformative learning experience for the UC undergraduate student body.

    George Getgen, Mark Byron and Shehzad Wadalawala - Started a utility company in thirteen months that produces electricity for five campuses and three medical centers.  Implementation of the Wholesale Electrical Power Program (WPP) in January 2015 and the signing of two solar energy power purchase agreements are critical steps toward achieving President Napolitano’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative.

Commitment to OP Culture and Principles

Individual award

  • Tracy FitzGerald - Multiple contributions supporting staff and community volunteerism, including Co-Chair of the OP Staff Assembly Steering Committee on Marketing & Communications Services and Staff Appreciation and Engagement Chair.  In 2014, she organized a book drive and multiple Earth Day events, and has been involved in launching the Oakland Partnership Initiative.

Team award

  • Siena Sarmiento, Karla Wood, Ginny Cox-Delaney, Candace Jones, Chris Noble - The UCOP Connect committee created a new Linkedin group where UCOP employees can sign-up and collaborate with colleagues. Its purpose is to boost engagement and make it easier to reach colleagues in different parts of the organization. It provides an informal way to raise issues, ask for help, exchange information and break out of work “silos” that sometimes limit OP’s effectiveness.

Kevin McCauley Award: Connecting with Community

The Kevin McCauley Community Award recognizes active and meaningful service in a local, state or national non-profit community-based organization resulting in a significant impact on the external community; voluntary individual effort with positive impact on the local community or its residents. In 2015, the Innovation and Impact award for Connecting with the Community was renamed in memory of Kevin McCauley, former Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the University, in recognition of his many years of service to UC and his dedication to building partnerships and increasing UCOP staff engagement with the local community.

Individual award

  • Teresa Johnson - Working with groups and organizations such as the Hayward Unified School District, the Hayward Promise Neighborhood Program (a coalition of Hayward residents, local government, nonprofits and local schools) and the African American Student Initiative (AASAI) Leadership Team.

Team award

  • William Guinto, Allen Hom, Patrick Rogers, Nevidita Kumar, Allan Perry, Aymen Manai, Rick Kehret, Elena Tolpygo, Jaymeson Beck; Latha Srinivasagopalan and Candace Jones - Devoted an afternoon in December volunteering to sort and package food for community members at the SF Marin Food Bank.  The SF Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, and they are committed to serving as a unit twice a year.