On Wednesday, October 8, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) hosted its eighth annual Women in Industry event, an inspiring experience aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders and preparing them for the future.
A diverse crowd of students, staff, families, and community members gathered at the PYLUSD Performing Arts Center to hear from this year’s esteemed panel of seven female professionals, each representing a wide range of industries.
Dr. Will Gray, Executive Director of College & Career Readiness, then took the stage to welcome attendees and recognize honored guests, including Executive Cabinet members, district administrators, and school site leaders. He also highlighted the district’s 15 academy pathways.
Next, the evening’s keynote speaker, Lisette Martínez-Acebo, a passionate nonprofit leader and social worker with more than a decade of experience advancing equity through community engagement, leadership development, and culturally responsive programming. She currently serves as Program Director at Girls Inc. of Orange County, where she oversees a team delivering innovative, research-based programming to more than 9,500 girls annually across over 30 sites.
During her keynote address, Lisette Martínez-Acebo, Program Director at Girls Inc. of Orange County, shared an inspiring message about the transformative power of mentorship, opportunity, and community in shaping confident, capable young women. Drawing from her own journey as a first-generation American and college graduate, Martínez-Acebo emphasized that empowerment is not just about having a seat at the table, but about building new ones and inviting others to join. She reflected on the influence of her parents’ values of service and community, and the mentors who helped her navigate unfamiliar spaces from Saddleback High School to graduate studies at USC. Highlighting both trailblazing women like Sonia Sotomayor and Simone Biles and the everyday acts of courage among young women finding their voices, she encouraged attendees to use their voices, trust their journeys, and lift others as they rise. Martínez-Acebo concluded by reminding the audience that empowerment is something built through action, courage, and shared leadership—a legacy each woman has the power to continue.
Following her speech, Dr. Gray invited the panelists and student moderators to join the stage for introductions before commencing the highly anticipated question-and-answer session.
Eleven students, representing various Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in the district, served as moderators for the evening. They included Cadelyn Himes and Theria Hoyt from El Camino High School, Claire Ng and Kelsey Bae from El Dorado High School, Nisha Agrawalla and Sydney Knowles from Esperanza High School, Raneem Ahmad from Buene Vista Virtual Academy, Madison Low and Livia Yu from Valencia High School, and Sophia Mou and Giabella Reale from Yorba Linda High School.
The accomplished panel featured:
- Andrea Earl, Supervisor in CalTeach Program, University of California, Irvine
- Mariel Cisterino, Director of Finance, Girls Inc. of Orange County
- Joanne Yang, Founder, Building Vital Score; Director of Operations, Building Networks Group
- Rachel Laskin, Brand Communications Manager at IHOP
- Tammy Pruitt, Principal Deputy County Counsel, County of Los Angeles; CSULA Adjunct Professor
- Melody Gray, Registered Nurse, Miller Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Joyce Yang, Ed.D, Dean of the College of Education, Hope International University
The Q&A session kicked off with insightful questions, including: “What did you want to be when you were a child?” “What advice do you have for young women on building self-confidence and assertiveness?” and “What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?”
Each panelist responded with thoughtfulness, sharing personal experiences and valuable guidance, which resonated with the audience. The session concluded with enthusiastic applause and cheers for the panelists.
To conclude the event, Dr. Gray returned to the stage to extend heartfelt appreciation to all who contributed to the evening’s success. He expressed gratitude to the distinguished panelists and student moderators for their thoughtful participation, as well as to Mark Switzer and the talented students of El Dorado High School’s Digital Media Arts Academy for coordinating the live stream. Special recognition was given to Chris Canchola and the Raptor Academy of Printing, Imaging, and Design for producing the custom tote bags presented to the panelists, and to Culinary Arts instructors Jennifer Callahan and Jason Jassman, along with their students from Esperanza and Yorba Linda high schools, for preparing the cookies enjoyed in the lobby.
You can watch the full event on the district’s YouTube channel at the link below.
Be the first to comment on "Panelists at Eighth Annual Women in Industry Event Inspire Future Leaders with Professional Insights and Personal Journeys"