Professional Development
We aim to support continuous growth and establish professional development opportunities and events for our membership.
Vision
Breakdown silos, empower and engage government employees through continuous collaboration across public sectors.
Mission
Inform, educate, and support employee engagement by providing access to resource information in partnership with inspired leaders; committed to fostering personal development that builds leadership capacity.
Outcomes
- NxtGov supports the application and practice of new skills learned
- Create NxtGov internal career network
- Connect with existing resources and network for trainings
- Connect with middle management to learn what is wanted/needed from staff
- Identify membership needs in professional development
- Strategically reinforce professional development concepts through thematic content development
Committee Member Opportunities
- Participate in professional development events, and bring friends!
- Coordinate and organize events
- Establish new partnerships
- Host more frequent and involved events
- Engage existing and new NxtGov members in these efforts
- Share testimonials and stories about the importance of NxtGov’s professional development
- Track and measure data and outcomes
Past Events
- Invest in your future with Savings Plus
- Personal Budgeting & Finance 101
- IDP Focus Group
- Panels
- Special Happy Hours
Resources
- Demystifying SOQs: Session A Presentation
- Demystifying SOQs: Session A Handout
- Demystifying SOQs: Session B Presentation
- Demystifying SOQs: Session B Handout
- KAIP Academy
- KAI Partners: Information Technology Presentation
Seth Yund is an Air Pollution Specialist at the California Air Resources Board and Vice President NxtGov. Seth transitioned from a career in biological research to State service to understand and enhance how data influence the development of policy. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelors in Biological Sciences from Chapman University.
Jessica Lopez is an Executive Fellow placed at the Government Operations Agency. In May of 2020, she received a B.S. in Public Policy and her Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys painting, listening to podcasts on crime and politics, hiking, re-watching TV shows, and reading books on mystery and mythology.
Alana Bui currently serves as the Chief of Administrative and Business Services for the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division (MCAH) of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). She leads a team of analysts and support staff to develop and implement new systems, methods, and infrastructure to support the administrative and business needs of the MCAH Division. Prior to joining MCAH, Alana served as the Statewide Adopt-A-School and Youth Mentoring Program Administrator for the Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and as the Workforce Development and Policy Coordinator for the Department of Consumer Affairs. She is committed to furthering initiatives aimed at supporting at-risk and foster youth throughout the state through mentorship, career exploration and work-based learning opportunities. She has an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Sacramento State University, a graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor degree from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. Alana spends her free time with her four children watching football and baseball, cooking, baking, and exploring Sacramento and bay area restaurants.
Sean Singh has been in the Human Resources profession (private and public sector) for approximately 10 years and began his career with the State of California as a Personnel Specialist with the Department of Transportation. He is currently appointed as a Senior Professional Development Analyst with the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Angelica Quirarte, also known as Angie, is the Assistant Secretary for Digital Engagement at the CA Government Operations Agency and is the Product Owner of 
Kelly works for the State Treasurer’s Office as a Research Data Specialist II. She conducts research and data analysis on a variety of municipal debt issuance and investment-related topics, including disclosure practices of risks attributed to climate change. She is passionate about collaborating with others and finding ways to make positive contributions to the community. Kelly graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and earned a Master of Arts degree in applied economics from San Diego State University. She enjoys volunteering, playing board games, trivia and spending quality time with her husband and son.
After six years of English language and literature lecturing and research at universities and community colleges, Courtney now works at the California State Teachers’ Retirement System as a Talent Acquisition Analyst where she educates the public (especially current and former educators) on how to transition to a career in civil service. Her passions include writing, design, knitting, kitty cuddling, and long meandering walks. You can add her on LinkedIn 
Meagan is a Finance Budget Analyst for the California Department of Finance. She works in affordable housing policy and is grateful to join in the Administration’s efforts to facilitate development and reduce housing costs. Meagan is a third-generation Californian and a lover of her hometown of Albany. For her, public service is the perfect combination of an opportunity to give back and an outlet for excessive pragmatism. She has a B.A. in Public Policy and Environmental Analysis from Pomona College. Outside the office, Meagan identifies as an eager slow-pitch softball player, an unapologetic board gamer, and a proud big sister.
Angela works as a researcher at the Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health, which seeks to improve the quality of community-based health care services for people involved in the criminal justice system. She is committed to research that produces useful, actionable findings. In her spare time, she enjoys trying out new recipes and spending time with family and friends.
KC is the Chief of the Financial Management Branch for the Department of Housing and Community Development. He oversees the strategic use of the Department’s resources to support its mission. KC is passionate about workforce development and process improvement, and has spent his career mastering the art of getting things done within the framework of government. KC earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California – Irvine, and a Juris Doctor from the University of California – Davis. KC enjoys board games, reading, and watching cartoons with his daughter.