This Women’s History Month, Campus Life Services (CLS) celebrates women uplifting women, strengthening female leadership in our communities and our workplace.
The women nominated below are not only leaders in their own right but are also dedicated to utilizing their roles to uplift and empower leadership in other women – both at CLS and beyond.
Amanda Aguilar is a storyteller at heart who came to UCSF with 10 years of journalism experience (and an Emmy Award!) under her belt. Outside of UCSF she also works as a Self-Love and Empowerment Coach, helping women build confidence, heal from past experiences, and create lives that truly align with their values and passions.
“My coaching programs are deeply personal, inspired by my own journey of transformation. Through my self-love program, Own Your Power, I guide women through self-discovery, confidence-building, and personal growth. Whether they are healing from toxic relationships, overcoming self-doubt, or seeking a deeper connection with themselves, I provide the tools and mindset shifts to help them embrace their worth and step into their power—just as I had to do in my own life.”
Part of this work includes a career transition program, Embrace Your New Beginning, which was born out of Aguilar’s experience leaving a decade-long career in TV news to pursue a path that truly aligned with her values, a path that led her to UCSF. She supports women who feel stuck in unaligned careers, helping them recognize their strengths, trust their talents, and take bold steps toward fulfilling work with confidence and clarity.
“This work is incredibly fulfilling to me! Whether through 1:1 coaching, speaking at women empowerment conferences, or my podcast, Embrace Her Evolution, I am committed to helping women shift their mindsets, overcome limiting beliefs, and step into their full potential.”
Aguilar leads a dance workshop for confidence building at the women's empowerment event Galentine's 2024, presented by She is Made for More.
As a current Communications Specialist for CLS, Aguilar strives to use her reporting expertise to uplift other women.
“I believe one of the most powerful ways I aim to empower women (and the broader UCSF community) is through storytelling. Whether it’s featuring employees in our communications, amplifying diverse voices, or crafting messages that foster connection and belonging, I truly see storytelling as a tool for empowerment. When people see their stories reflected—whether it’s a woman breaking barriers in her field or a frontline worker being recognized for their contributions—it creates a ripple effect of confidence, inspiration, and community.”
Assistant Director for Customer Experience Vicki Sundstrom joined UCSF in 2023 in a newly created position that includes department communications and promoting alternative commute options.
Sundstrom works hard to help UCSF employees, patients, and visitors access information on convenient commute options, including shuttles, rideshares, and van carpools.
Prior to coming to UCSF, Sundstrom enjoyed an extensive career in aviation and engineering, working as a project manager at the Detroit Airport and program manager at the San Francisco International Airport. As Sundstrom learned how to successfully navigate the challenges of being a woman in a historically male-dominated field, she realized that she had the unique opportunity to lend a hand to other women.
“Aviation and Engineering fields have been and remain male-dominated fields. Having, somehow found my [way] around and up in a prior organization, I started to look at opportunities and relationships with young women differently.”
For Sundstrom, the most important lessons for achieving at work could not be found in manual or technical training.
“There were plenty of opportunities to learn the technical work, but no one talked about how to succeed as a woman in a world full of men.”
Seeing the lack of support for women, Sundstrom decided to be the change she wished to see and began mentoring adolescents and women.
“That was the mission, the driving force if you will, behind working with the over 30 women in my career at San Francisco International Airport. From high school students to graduate fellows, and as a mentor for young women, we worked on how to present and be heard by leaders, colleagues, trades, and consultants. It was about being seen and heard, about finding confidence and a voice.”
Sundstrom is honored with the SFO Mentor of the Year Award (2013)
What began as an organic mentorship model began to have a profound impact, changing the very culture of her workplace.
“I am proud of the impact I have had to so many of them. About the investment in them to help them succeed. 12 years after she worked for me, I received a text, ‘I changed offices and now work where your office used to be. Every morning I come in brings very warm memories of the time we worked together.'”
Now that she’s at UCSF, Sundstrom hopes to be able to continue this mission so that her work can have a lasting impact on the community she supports.
Caroline Carter began her career at UCSF in 2014 as the women's health intern at the National Center of Excellence of Women's Health Women’s Health Resource Center at Mount Zion (now the Black Wellness Center). This experience inspired Carter to apply for the newly created Lactation Program Coordinator position in 2015, and since then she has expanded the lactation programming at UCSF.
“I am truly passionate about collaborating with individuals who are dedicated to making UCSF an even better place to work. It's especially rewarding to support families navigating challenges that many of us may not fully understand. I am incredibly grateful for my team and the families I have the privilege of working with. They inspire me every day and keep me motivated to continue this important work."
Carter’s work encompasses many different things, including the Lactation Accommodation Program, a comprehensive program that provides access to lactation rooms, workshops, pump kits, and the Milk Stork platform for milk shipping during business travel.
She is passionate about improving access to lactation accommodations, planning lactation rooms in future buildings, and working with lactating employees who are returning to work to ensure their needs are taken care of proactively.
"An essential part of my role in Family Services is to cultivate an environment where individuals feel empowered to share their experiences. This enables us to better understand the barriers they face—whether in the workplace or in a learning environment—that may hinder them from achieving their infant feeding goals, maintaining personal health, and advancing in their careers."
Carter’s advice for women starting their careers at UCSF is to seize opportunities to build deeper connections with peers.
“Engage with your teams and others across UCSF. Be curious about people’s lives and take the time to listen and learn. Actively seek out developmental training opportunities, even if they’re outside of UCSF. For example, I took a six-week birth doula training, which, though I didn’t become a birth doula, led to me becoming an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. It really illuminated my path to postpartum care. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there and apply for larger programs or groups focused on personal growth, but no training is wasted. Every experience brings you closer to your passion and career goals, and once you’re in, the support is tremendous, and people genuinely want to see you succeed!”
Elicia Rozic is the Assistant Director for Development, Training and Engagement at CLS, and as such, the work she does contributes to empowering and uplifting all staff, including and especially women-identifying colleagues.
“I am passionate about ensuring that women have the tools, resources, and support they need to excel and reach their full potential. By creating opportunities for skill-building, mentorship, and leadership growth, I seek to equip women with the confidence and knowledge to achieve success.”
In CLS, inclusion, leveraging emotional intelligence (EI), and valuing different perspectives and life experiences are essential to meaningful engagement and to delivering quality experiences and services. Rozic strongly believes that fostering an environment where women feel supported and encouraged is critical to breaking down barriers that have historically limited opportunities.
“I am deeply committed to seeing women thrive. There have been—and continue to be—roadblocks and challenges that women must navigate, and I feel passionately that everyone deserves the chance to develop their strengths and shine. My goal is to not only create spaces where women can grow but also to highlight and celebrate their unique strengths, ensuring that their voices and contributions are recognized and valued.”
For Rozic, it continues to be critical that women participate in development and leadership training, particularly women who have been historically marginalized.
“It’s disheartening to say, but I’ve witnessed this firsthand—even as recently as last month: A woman shared an idea in a group, only for a man to repeat the exact same point moments later—and he was acknowledged and heard, while she was overlooked. It’s frustrating and disappointing that this continues to happen. Women and those who have been historically marginalized generally have to work harder. We have to work harder for our accomplishments to be recognized. We have to work harder for visibility. We have to work harder for promotions. We have to work harder for our voices to be heard. I actually have this pesky habit of sometimes interrupting people, and I came to a realization at some point that I must have started doing it because I wanted to be heard. In ways, I feel like my whole life, I have been trying to be heard.”
Rozic encourages women to participate in professional development and leadership trainings, expand their networks, and build on skills.
“I had the opportunity to be a part of the UC Women’s Initiative for Professional Development (UC WI) a couple years back. It was one of the more valuable learning programs I’ve participated in. Not only did I get to expand my network with women across the entire University of California system, I learned so much, strengthened my leadership skills and increased my confidence.”
Rozic facilitates discussions at the CLS Leadership Development Program kickoff.
Rozic has taken what she’s learned and put it into launching and leading the first-ever department-wide mentorship program, which has been incredibly successful in fostering learning, building meaningful connections, and expanding professional networks.
“A significant number of our mentor-mentee pairings have been women with women and seeing them support and uplift one another has been truly inspiring. Last year, we had just about half of the participants be women; this year, women participants made up 70% of the program. I’ve watched the participants grow before my eyes—gaining confidence, improving their ability to navigate the workplace, and deepening their understanding of the organization. We’ve been able to create a truly intentional space where people feel cared for as people, as their genuine and true selves, and growth and the mistakes that may lead to that growth are encouraged and celebrated. It’s been an amazing journey to be a part of.”
For Rozic, the mission of uplifting women is close to home, as she is raising her daughter to think outside of the limitations of gender roles.
“Uplifting other women is so important to me especially because I have a daughter who is currently a kindergartener. Recently, she joined the Girl Scouts—an opportunity I never had growing up—so this has been new and exciting for both of us. I really value the experience that she's getting in being able to learn, explore, and have new adventures in a supportive environment with other girls. She’s already shared so many ideas about what she wants to be when she grows up— ranging from an astronaut to an illustrator for animated films."
"No matter what she comes up with, I encourage her a thousand percent. I never want her to feel limited by outdated gender roles. As far as I’m concerned, she can do anything she sets her mind to, and I hope she receives that same message from her teachers, peers, and the world around her. I want her to grow up knowing that every opportunity is within her reach.”
It is important to Rozic that women not only take up space but feel that their contributions are valued and necessary.
“I want to emphasize that we all benefit from the contributions of women in the workplace and in every realm! Women should never have to apologize for taking up space. We should take up as much space as we need and have our voices be heard. We have so much to offer. It’s important for us to have a seat at the table. I’m proud of CLS for what we offer to our staff by way of professional development. And look at our executive leadership team! We are setting an example.”
To look for amazing female leaders at UCSF, one need not look further than the Senior Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration, Erin Gore. At Financial and Administrative Services, Gore directs and facilitates highly complex initiatives and engagements to advance health locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
She has over 20 years of experience working in financial strategy for Fortune 100 Companies including Wells Fargo and Bank of America, and an impressive track record of improving financial performance through strategic counsel.
Gore has also been widely recognized as a leader and was named in The San Francisco Business Time’s “Most Influential Women in Bay Area” two consecutive years in a row (2016 and 2017) and as Nob Hill Gazette’s “Bay Area Women Who Inspire” in 2024.
Since Gore joined UCSF in 2022, she has earned a reputation among her peers as a leader who gives back to her community and sets an example for women in leadership.
“One of my favorite things about working for Senior Vice Chancellor Erin Gore is how she mentors and uplifts others, especially women. She counsels women early in their career journey on how to build financial resiliency and serves as a role model for single mothers with busy careers.” Kim La Pean, Director of Communications and Engagement for the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor said.
Gore was celebrated in the San Francisco Examiner and Noe Valley Gazette's "Inspiring Women of San Francisco" in 2024