Team

Aileen Babadjanians is the National Placement Director at HCC, where she oversees the development and implementation of strategic workforce programs, ensuring that students are well-prepared for meaningful careers. Her work focuses on facilitating opportunities that empower students to make a positive impact on their communities’ well-being.

With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, Aileen has developed and managed programs centered on health education, fitness development, and community wellness. Her work has centered on fostering community-driven initiatives that prioritize sustainable health practices and wellness for all individuals.

Aileen holds a Master’s in Public Health from California State University, Northridge, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology. She is committed to advancing public health through active participation in professional organizations and leadership roles within the community. Outside of her work, Aileen enjoys traveling with her family, playing basketball, and cheering on her kids as they compete in various sports.

Larry Bullins is a seasoned IT professional with over fifteen years of experience in technology leadership. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed and operated across virtually every aspect of IT, showcasing his versatility and depth of knowledge. Larry is passionate about delivering systemic solutions that address complex challenges and eliminate inefficiencies, all while prioritizing an exceptional customer experience.

His commitment to process improvement extends beyond technology, ensuring that organizational practices are optimized for maximum effectiveness. Before joining HCC, Larry held key positions at industry leaders, including Jamf and Microsoft, where he honed his technical expertise and leadership skills.

As the new Director of Technology at HCC, Larry is dedicated to driving innovation and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. His extensive background and strategic vision make him a valuable asset to the team and a catalyst for the organization’s technological advancement.

Cassie is a Senior Program Manager for Health Career Connection’s Northern California, Central Coast, and Central Valley region. In this role, she fosters and maintains relationships with an array of partner organizations to host interns, matches interns to partner organizations, and mentors students throughout their internship experience to ensure their success.

Cassie has over twelve years of experience serving communities impacted by HIV/AIDS throughout the state of California in both the non-profit and government sectors. These roles have included community health outreach, harm reduction, clinical services, management, data administration, public health surveillance, contact tracing, and social research. Her first paid position in health was managing undergraduate interns in a peer health education program and it’s a joy to come full-circle with her role at Health Career Connection.

She received her Master of Social Work, with an emphasis in Administration and Community Development, from San Diego State University. During her graduate studies, she also received specialized training in behavioral health as a Mental Health Services Act Workforce Education and Training Stipend recipient.

Abraham Cicchetti serves as Chief Operating Officer for Health Career Connections (HCC). Mr. Cicchetti is a dynamic leader with expertise in operations, business development, and financial management. His deep-rooted expertise, honed over an illustrious career spanning a wide array of industries, draws a compelling narrative of consistent growth, profitability, and transformative leadership. Mr. Cicchetti has navigated diverse terrains, from entrepreneurial startups to established corporations. His leadership style, a unique fusion of financial acumen and strategic foresight, consistently fosters an environment of high performance and measurable results. Mr. Cicchetti’s passion for diversity and equity is evident in his significant contributions as Treasurer and Executive Board Member for the California Association for Healthcare Leaders (CAHL).  Additionally, as a member of the Regent’s Advisory Council for the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Mr. Cicchetti has been instrumental in executing ACHE’s core strategies. His active membership in the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) further underscores his commitment to serving others and promoting various professions within the healthcare industry. His academic accomplishments include a B.S. in Business Administration-Accountancy and an M.S. in Healthcare Administration Interprofessional Leadership from the University of California, San Francisco. Additionally, he is a Certified Higher Education Professional (CHEP).

Alyssa Colon is a Director of Evaluation with over 7 years of experience conducting and leading evaluations. After earning her MPH from Oregon State University, Alyssa worked in both internal and external evaluation roles within various public health domains including mental health, substance use, and workforce development. Alyssa is fueled by her dedication to innovative data storytelling, participatory methods, and public health equity. As Director of Evaluation, Alyssa monitors and reports on progress and outcomes regarding workforce development through regional health collaboratives. Additionally, Alyssa loves serving as a mentor to budding evaluators and strives to foster inclusivity and a sense of belonging in the workplace.

Katy joined HCC in 2014. Katy’s interest in healthcare began when she started to work on the Wellfleet Rescue Squad. After college, she worked for various organizations (ambulance, hospital, VNA, HMO). Katy was a Governor Intern at the MA Department of Mental Health and worked at the MA Division of Insurance for 8.5 years in the health policy section. Katy established Cushman Insurance Solutions and sold long-term care insurance (LTCI) for 20 years. As HCC New England Program Manager, she finds it rewarding to promote diversity in healthcare and launch the next generation of health leaders. She obtained two B.A. degrees in Economics and Classics from UMass Amherst and an MPH from Boston University.

Katy has 3 grown children and enjoys riding her horse, kayaking, and daily walks with her tennis ball-obsessed Labrador Retriever.

Patricia S. Etem, MPH, has developed, directed and evaluated Public Health programs and initiatives for hospitals, city health and youth development divisions, and non-profit organizations for over 20 years. Her areas of expertise include program design and implementation, strategic partnership development, health policy, stakeholder training, resource development, and program evaluation.  Ms. Etem has consulted for Health Career Connection since 2015 to engage Southern California health agency, business, and higher education partners in health pathway program success and internship placements to build the next generation of health profession leaders.

Dana brings over 20 years of leadership experience in workforce development across the nonprofit and higher education sectors, with a deep commitment to supporting historically excluded groups.

Before joining HCC, Dana spent a decade at Long Beach City College, where she managed training programs, developed and implemented grants, led industry engagement, and supported job and internship placements for students. She also played a critical role in securing and managing funding, overseeing regranting processes, and working with grantees and subawards to expand workforce initiatives. Earlier in her career, she supported the Southwestern Pennsylvania manufacturing workforce at New Century Careers and worked closely with justice-impacted individuals at Mon Valley Initiative.

With over 15 years of expertise in health marketing, communications, and educational programming, Vanessa currently serves as the Director of Communications, Alumni Engagement, and Project Implementation at Health Career Connection. In this role, she spearheads the creation and execution of dynamic communication strategies and innovative programs that engage and support HCC’s network of interns, industry partners, donors, and over 5,400 alumni.

With a proven track record of driving impactful change, Vanessa is dedicated to advancing health leadership and fostering meaningful partnerships in the industry. Her professional journey includes serving as Assistant Vice President of Marketing & External Affairs at COPE Health Solutions. She has also held leadership roles across administration, development, government relations, event management, and board development.

A passionate advocate for health leadership, Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Communication Management from the University of Southern California. She is an alumna of the Coro Executive Fellows Program, Leadership LA (2013), and the Riordan Fellowship. Vanessa is a former president of Women in Health Administration of Southern California (WHA) and has contributed to boards for the National Forum for Latino Healthcare Executives (NFLHE) SoCal and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE SoCal).

Rachel Gregoire brings fifteen years of cross-sector experience to HCC, having held diverse roles in career development, human resources, teaching, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her career is dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals in their growth, driven by personal triumphs that have maximized the value she brings to her field. Rachel is nationally recognized as a thought leader in career and professional development, utilizing her expertise to catalyze workplace excellence and foster connection.

During her tenure as the leader of the Career Resource Center of ACHE, she has championed technological advancements to support the organizational mission. Her core areas of expertise include strategic career mapping, talent processes, cultivating inclusive workplace cultures, and understanding conflict styles.

Rachel‘s outstanding contributions to the association industry have earned her prestigious accolades, such as the American Society of Association Executives and Association Forum’s 40 Under 40 Award and ACHE’s Pickert (Employee of the Year) Award.

Beyond her role at ACHE, Rachel is devoted to nurturing future leaders as a professor of Human Resources Management and Management of Intercultural Management courses at DePaul University’s Graduate School of Public Service. She also co-founded Fam Foolery Inc., leveraging gameplay, culture, and empowerment to make a positive impact. In her personal life, Rachel cherishes time spent with her family, studying holistic wellness and gardening, reflecting her deep-rooted commitment to community and connection.

Tyler helps to support HCC by coordinating financial, operational, and technical activities for the organization. He has previously conducted similar work for the Pre-Collegiate Studies program at Stanford University.

Prior to this work, Tyler was awarded a BS in Molecular Environmental Biology from UC Berkeley and served in the United States Army.

Zuleyka Hernandez is an Assistant to the CEO/Project Manager at Health Career Connection (HCC). In this role, she supports aspects of workforce development, alumni initiatives, and summer programming. Located in Boston, Zuleyka previously worked as Communications Manager for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Executive Office. Prior to that, she worked as a Workforce Development Administrator for Mass General Brigham. Zuleyka received a Master of Public Health in Healthcare Management and a Bachelor of Science in Behavior & Health from Boston University. As an HCC alum, Zuleyka is deeply committed to advancing the organization’s impact and fostering connections to build the HCC network.

Jana has dedicated her life to the well-being and advancement of children, women, and families who face significant adversity. She was the former Chief Executive Officer at One Circle Foundation, a nonprofit specializing in creating safe and supported spaces for youth and communities across the globe through evidence-based circle programs and curricula. Jana was previously the founder of a youth drop-in center called Oakland Youth Aspire in West Oakland. She has directed special projects for unhoused families and human trafficking initiatives, advocated for at-risk communities, and serves as a university lecturer specializing in the social determinants of health through the lens of community-engaged health promotion. She was also a 2021 fellowship graduate of Women Leaders Around the World. Jana is a proud board member at CALICO (Child Abuse, Listening, Interviewing, and Coordination Center that achieves justice and healing for abused children) and an advisory council member for Evermore (Changing national policies so that all bereaved individuals can achieve a healthy, prosperous, and equitable future). Jana graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and then received a Master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on community health education.

Melissa Infusino is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in workforce development, economic advancement, and nonprofit and public sector management. As Vice President of Workforce Development, Operations, and Innovation at Health Career Connection, Melissa leads workforce initiatives across California, building regional health collaboratives and driving national innovation in workforce development.

Previously, as Vice President and Director of Economic and Workforce Development at Long Beach Community College District, Melissa’s initiatives boosted student employment and community engagement, surpassing enrollment targets and increasing living-wage job attainment. She also secured and managed extensive public and private grants to support strategic growth and led a team of 30 with a $10 million budget.

Her prior roles include leadership positions with the Los Angeles Fund for Public Education, the LAUSD, and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, focusing on high-impact initiatives and public policy. Melissa earned her M.P.P. from UCLA and B.A. from Loyola University, Chicago, and as a first-generation college graduate, she is committed to fostering inclusive environments. She lives in Long Beach, California, with her husband and two dogs.

Babar Iqbal is a Program Coordinator at Health Career Connection. Babar attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in Management & Society. At HCC, he oversees, maintains, and updates technical systems and products to support administrative, financial, and operational tasks and projects. He also serves as a resource for database management and maintenance of systems. Previously, Babar was a Client Service Associate at Phreesia, where he worked with his team to provide consulting services in the areas of workflow improvement and application building to medical offices across the country. Additionally, Babar worked at the Carolina Higher Education Opportunity Program (CHEOP) Office throughout his four years at UNC-Chapel Hill, primarily working with underserved high school and college students to prepare them for higher education and health professional schools.

Jimmy’s connection to HCC dates back to his HCC internship. Through that experience, he was inspired to pursue a career in public health and discovered his passion for health equity. To that end, he has had varied experiences developing solutions and managing programs that address social determinants of health. In his current position, he supports continuous improvement projects to increase HCC’s impact. Jimmy obtained his BA from Brown University and MPH from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Public Health. He is always looking forward to reconnecting with fellow HCC Alumni.

Jo is based in Philadelphia and directs HCC’s programming in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Her career has spanned nearly two decades in the nonprofit industry, with a few stints in local government – most notably working in COVID containment at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. She feels driven by work that is grounded in progressive values and chips away at structural inequities, while acknowledging that none of that work is sustainable if we don’t invest in taking care of ourselves and each other. Outside of work she is exploring the intersection between trauma and collective art-making, spending time with her cat Sylvester, and searching for life partners to make sense of it all.

India King Walker is the Finance Manager at Health Career Connection (HCC), where she oversees financial planning, budgeting, and strategic financial management to ensure the organization’s fiscal sustainability. She collaborates closely with leadership, vendors, and cross-functional teams to streamline financial operations, optimize cash flow, and develop policies that align with HCC’s mission. India manages key financial functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, and compliance, while driving operational efficiency and long-term financial growth.

With over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and banking, India has a track record in financial forecasting, strategic planning, and process improvement. India previously served in the healthcare sector, where she managed financial reporting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Her experience also includes leadership roles in treasury, business, accounting, and financial compliance, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of financial operations across diverse industries.

India holds a BSBA in Accounting from Columbia College and an MBA from Saint Leo University. She is actively pursuing the CPA and FMVA certifications to further expand her expertise along with the pursuit of a second Master’s in Public Administration. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the National Grant Management Association (NGMA).

Jamison Lowery joined HCC as the Director of the Southeast Region in January 2025. In this role, he has responsibility for all programmatic and business development initiatives for the region with a priority emphasis on North Carolina and NC Native American students and communities. His primary duties are developing new partnerships to support program expansion, recruiting college students and health employer host organizations, placing students in internships, and pursuing additional funding.

A proud member of the Lumbee Tribe, Jamison graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in American Indian & Indigenous Studies and Education Minor. From there, he would go on to pursue his Masters of Higher Education Administration from NC State University growing his passion for student development. During this program, Jamison was a 2021-2022 John M. Belk Impact Fellow working with the Higher Education Team at The Hunt Institute. Upon graduating he accepted a full-time role as the Internship & JMB Impact Fellowship Program Coordinator. In this role, Jamison oversaw the recruitment, hiring, and management of both Hunt Institute Interns and JMB Impact Fellows.

Jamison is passionate about creating equitable systems that improve outcomes for historically underrepresented students, working on issues related to Indigenous peoples in North Carolina, and creating professional development opportunities for students at the postsecondary level. In his spare time, Jamison enjoys video games, reading, spending time with loved ones, and advising/mentoring members of his fraternity Phi Sigma Nu.

Dr. Sergio Martinez is the Senior Program Manager (SPM) at Health Career Connection (HCC), where he leads the development, implementation, and expansion of HCC programs in Northern, Central Valley and Central California. In this role, he recruits and maintains relationships with health organizations to host HCC interns and collaborates with partners to enhance programming. He also supports the recruitment, screening, and placement of talented interns, plans summer programming, and provides ongoing support to ensure a successful experience for both students and host organizations.

Prior to his role at HCC, he served as a Public Health Practitioner with the City of Berkeley’s Public Health Department, where he developed community-based health programs addressing sexual health, chronic disease prevention, and health education for various urban-based populations. His expertise in program management, mentorship, and partnership-building continues to inform his work in advancing opportunities for students pursuing careers in health and public service.

Dr. Martinez earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Social Welfare, where his research focused on factors influencing academic persistence among Latino community college students. With over a decade of experience managing public health and educational support programs, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to student development and workforce preparation.

Dr. Martinez is an active member of professional associations, including the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the American Public Health Association (APHA), and the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). He remains dedicated to mentoring and supporting students as they navigate their academic and professional journeys.

Iman is an Oregon native, living in the Central Oregon town of Bend. She served as the Chief Operating Officer for St. Charles Health System, and after eight years has recently left this role to take a professional breather. Iman’s public health and health care executive roles have spanned 24 years, most recently as a senior executive at St. Charles. In this role, Iman was responsible for the four hospitals across the health system, Cancer, Heart and Surgical Service Lines, as well as Quality and Patient Safety programs. Prior to joining St. Charles, she was with Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital for 14 years, serving as both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Quality Officer. Iman is a trained lean leader and has a deep appreciation for the power of people and process to drive extraordinary outcomes for patients. Iman graduated from Portland State University with her bachelor’s degree, and from University of Michigan’s School of Public Health with her MPH. She has taught in higher education for over 17 years, most recently in the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley.

With over 11 years of experience across diverse healthcare settings, I am committed to fostering a sustainable workforce by prioritizing professional development and continuous learning. I firmly believe that a company’s greatest asset is its employees, and to drive organizational growth, it’s essential to nurture the passions, skill sets, and goals of every team member. Holding a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of La Verne and a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Riverside, I am deeply passionate about supporting the development of the emerging workforce and ensuring their success in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Melissa Torres-Montoya serves as the Senior Director of Strategy, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement where she supports the build out of a regional health workforce strategy to address health workforce shortages in California. She is a reproductive justice and sexual health advocate who has worked at advocacy nonprofit organizations advancing policies at local and national levels of government. She has dedicated her professional career to addressing the lack of affordable quality healthcare in the United States and advancing sexual and reproductive autonomy. Ms. Torres-Montoya earned a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and received a Masters in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University. Melissa serves on the volunteer board for Medical Students for Choice. She also attended the University of California, Davis where she earned her A.B. in History and Political Science. Melissa is admitted to practice law in the state of Maryland.