Staff and Leadership Directory
Marta Barajas
Deputy Director of Admissions Operations
Manages and oversees all aspects of admissions operations including operational process issues, data resource management and admissions data collection for the Graduate School of Management. In this role, she is also responsible for compiling and reporting school-wide ranking and profile statistics for the school.
Marta joined the Graduate School of Management in September of 2004, bringing her technological expertise and more than 15 years of experience in data analysis & reporting, strategic operations planning & implementation, and training.
Julie Burgal
Academic Advisor, Minor Programs
M.S. in Genetics and Cell Biology, Washington State University
B.S. in Biotechnology, UC Davis
Loreli Burton
Admissions Coordinator
Loreli Burton joined the Graduate School of Management in 2016. As the Admissions Coordinator, she provides analyst-level support for the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. She maintains and audits admissions databases, identifies and implements process improvements, and assists with student admissions for the MSBA program.
Loreli’s career in data management began in 2010, but she also has a background in Human Resources. Outside the office, she enjoys time spent in nature, reading, traveling, and time spent with family.
Vashishtha (Vash) Doshi
Associate Director for Career Development and Admissions, Master of Science in Business Analytics
Vashishtha (Vash) Doshi is the associate director for career development and admissions for the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics program in San Francisco. Doshi joined UC Davis in 2024 from UCLA Anderson’s MSBA program, where he served as manager of industry relations. During his tenure at UCLA, he delivered innovative programming and value to both students and the institution.
Leticia V. Garay
Associate Director of Admissions for GSM MBA Programs
Leticia V. Garay (she/her/ella) joined the UC Davis Graduate School of Management as associate director of admissions for GSM MBA programs in 2024. She works alongside candidates through the admissions process, implementing recruiting programs, processing applications and ensuring prospective students have a quality experience.
Gallagher Hall, Davis, CA
John Lyon
Deputy Director of Admissions, Master of Science in Business Analytics
MBA, University of California, Davis
John Lyon is based in San Francisco as Deputy Director of Admissions for the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics. John works with candidates throughout the admissions process, including prospective students, MSBA applicants, and admitted students ensuring their successful enrollment and a smooth transition. Prior to this role, Lyon was the Associate Director of Admissions. He also worked with the Bay Area Part-Time MBA program while simultaneously earning his MBA at UC Davis.
Lizzie Mayo
Associate Director of Admissions, Bay Area Part-Time MBA
Lizzie Mayo (she/her/hers) joined the UC Davis Graduate School of Management as associate director of admissions for the Bay Area Part-Time MBA in 2022. She works alongside candidates through the admissions process, implementing recruiting programs, processing applications and ensuring prospective students have a quality experience.
Gloria Navarro
Assistant Director of MBA and MM Admissions
B.S. Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Science & Engineering, University of California, Davis
Gloria Navarro joined UC Davis Graduate School of Management as Enrollment Counselor in 2022 and now serves as the admissions director for our MBA and MM programs.
Navarro earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis in 2021 with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Science & Engineering.
Zoë Richardson
Associate Director, Master of Professional Accountancy
Zoë Richardson joined the Graduate School of Management (GSM) as the associate director of the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) program in 2022.
1101L Gallagher Hall
Brian Risi
Associate Director of Admissions, Bay Area Part-Time MBA
Brian Risi joined UC Davis Graduate School of Management as associate director of admissions for the Bay Area Part-Time MBA Program in February 2021.
After first attending The University of Delaware, Risi transferred to The University of Montana in Missoula, MT and earned his Bachelor’s Degree. After graduating from Montana, Risi moved to the Bay Area and hasn’t looked back.
James Stevens
Senior Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
Lecturer in Management
MBA, University of Michigan
B.A., International relations, American University
Alex Svensson
Director of MBA/MM Recruitment and Admissions
Alex Svensson (she/her/hers) joined UC Davis Graduate School of Management in 2020. As the Director of MBA/MM Recruitment and Admissions, she works alongside candidates through the admissions process, implementing recruiting programs, processing applications and ensuring that prospective students have a quality experience.
Eva Zhang
Deputy Director, MBA@UCDavis
Master of Public Administration, San Francisco State University
As deputy director of the Online MBA program, Eva Zhang is responsible for program administration with the following functional areas of responsibilities: academic matters, policy development and implementation, student experience, data analyses, relationship management, and overall program direction and strategy.
Cindy Zivic
Associate Director of Admissions, Online MBA and Online Master of Management
Cindy Zivic is the Associate Director of Admissions for the Online MBA and Online Master of Management. She brings 20 years of brand management and business strategy experience to the Graduate School of Management and is now eager to apply her business background to her life-long passion for higher education. Zivic is excited to help prospective students achieve their potential through the transformative power of education.