News & Events

California Workforce Connection 2025 Annual Conference

 2025 CWC Annual Educational Conference, May 2, 2025

Ontario Airport Hotel

700 N. Haven Ave., Ontario, Ca 

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Thursday, May 1, 2025

6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. No Host President’s Reception

Friday, May 2, 2025

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Educational Conference and Convention

Opening Ceremonies Presenters

Scheduled Speakers:

EDD Director, Nancy Farias 

EDD Liaison, Ruby Rojas

WSB Deputy Division Chief, Ken Gomez

Motivational Speaker, Carol Marzouk

Coastline’s Cyber Center Director, Dr. Tobi West

Noon- 2:00 P.M.  Awards  Luncheon

Bybee Trustee Board Presentation

Exhibitors

New Officer Elections

Closing

Register online with Eventbrite Link

(Processing fees will be added)

Email questions to: cwcdistrict4director@gmail.com

Download Conference Draft Agenda

2025 Speakers Bios
Nancy Farias, Director of California Employment Development Department 

Nancy Farias, of Sacramento, has served as Chief Deputy Director of External Affairs, Legislation and Policy at the California Employment Development Department since 2020. Farias was Director of Government Relations at SEIU Local 1000 from 2017 to 2020. She was Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of Senator Henry Stern from 2016 to 2017 and District Director at the Office of Assemblymember Mike Gatto from 2015 to 2016.

She was Deputy Secretary of Legislation at the Government Operations Agency from 2013 to 2016, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at the California Department of Human Resources from 2012 to 2013 and Legislative Director at SEIU Local 1000 from 2009 to 2012. Farias was Senior Vice President at Smith, Ruddock & Hayes from 2008 to 2009 and an Associate at Wolkon & Pascucci LLP from 2002 to 2008. Farias earned a Master of Science degree in Political Science from Suffolk University and a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School.

 

 

Ruby Rojas – Employment Development Administrator

I have been with the EDD Disability Insurance Branch for 20 years plus. I started working for the State right after graduating from Sacramento State University with a major in Business Administration. My first job was a Program Technician answering the Spanish queue in a call center. Then promoted to DIPR, DIPM I, DIPM II, and EDA.

During my leadership journey I have become aware of my impact as a leader. I want to use my role to inspire, motivate, and build a culture that engages employees through alignment, positivity, and progress. I love to read and have taken part in book clubs for leadership development. My favorite author so far is Patrick Lencioni and his book, “The Ideal Team Player”.

So much of what is learned in the leadership classes can be applied at work and at home as well. I strongly believe “It is not finance, not strategy, not technology. It is teamwork that is still the ultimate competitive advantage.” Now CWC Liaison for EDD.

 

 

Ken Gomez, WSB Deputy Division Chief

Ken represents the Employment Development Department’s (EDDs) Workforce Service Branch in the Los Angeles/Coastal Division and provides administrative oversight for the America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) in Region 2.

Ken’s professional career includes more than 25 years in personnel, programs, and project management. Prior to his current appointment, Ken led the EDD’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Branch’s communication, change management, and marketing activities for numerous projects and initiatives. He was instrumental in the successful customer adoption rate for UI Online. Under his leadership, the use of EDD’s self-service certification options increased from 30% to over 70% with most customers receiving their UI benefit payments within 24 hours after certifying for benefits.

 Ken’s long-range goal of public service was realized in 2009 when he joined the EDD. Initially, he adjudicated UI claims before joining the UI Branch Modernization Project team in 2010. During this time, we were able to leverage his experience from his private sector career at Delta Air Lines where he held several management positions of increasing responsibility. During his tenure, he was awarded Delta’s highest honor, induction into the Chairman’s Club for his exemplary leadership.

 

Carol Marzouk, Business Relationship Expert, Speaker, and Behavioral Strategist

Explore the world of Carol Marzouk, the Executive Lion Tamer, renowned for transforming leaders and workplaces. As CEO of Leadership ‘N” Soul, Carol masterfully blends psychology with corporate wisdom, earning her the nickname “Therapy for Business.”  Her distinguished career is marked by guiding leaders to profitability while maintaining integrity. Carol’s methods drive tangible results, addressing everything from mergers to interpersonal conflicts. With a focus on human dynamics, she elevates leadership to new heights, supported by her rich academic background and certifications. Join Carol on a journey where leadership meets soul, and transformation is inevitable.

carol@executiveliontamer.com

Dr Tobi West – “Avoiding Identity Theft”

Dr. Tobi West (CISSP, GCFE, CCFE), Professor and Department Chair of the Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Computer Services Technology (CST), was recently nominated as being a Woman of Distinction in the field of Education by State Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana).

CAE-CD Cyber Center Director
Maintain Coastline’s Cybersecurity program in compliance with the National Centers of Academic Excellence as outlined by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. This includes continuous improvement evaluation, Coastline’s Cyber Center website, curriculum, programs, student outreach and employment opportunities, industry advisory board, and CAE community involvement. 2017-Present.

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