Speakers

Jennifer Alford is a strategic procurement leader dedicated to building high performing teams and advancing organizational transformation across public institutions. She serves as the Director of Purchasing, Contracts, and Auxiliary Services at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California, bringing more than 20 years of public-sector experience spanning local government and higher education. Throughout her career, Jennifer has led major institutional initiatives, including three construction bond programs, technology optimization and enhancement efforts, and a full ERP implementation. She excels in building strategic, collaborative teams that advance organizational mission, values, and long term goals. Jennifer’s expertise includes change management, policy development, risk management, emergency preparedness, and operational effectiveness. Jennifer is a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) and has satisfied the requirements for the NIGP-Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP CPP) credential. She is an active member of several procurement associations, serves on the CollegeBuys Advisory Group, and was recently installed as the 2026–2027 President of the California Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. (CAPPO)—the first president to represent higher education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in Spanish, from UC Santa Barbara, followed by a master’s degree in professional counseling from Argosy University in Atlanta.

Jennifer Keiper currently serves as Senior Director of Procurement Services at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, where she oversees business development efforts and program operations for the CollegeBuys program. One of her key roles is to sustain core business lines, diversify procurement opportunities, improve operational efficiencies and lead the department’s compliance efforts. Jennifer and her team work closely with the Chancellor’s Office, the Advisory Group and key stakeholders across the 73 districts to ensure their needs are being reflected in systemwide agreements, while simultaneously collaborating with corporate and intersegmental partners to increase access and cost-savings for students, colleges, and the system as a whole. Jennifer has over ten years of experience in California’s public sector, eight of which have been dedicated to contracting in higher education within the CCC and UC systems. In her previous role as Contracts Officer for UC Davis Health, she was responsible for negotiating business contracts for UC Davis Medical Center, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing. Jennifer earned her bachelor of arts in political science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and her juris doctorate in public interest from UC Davis School of Law.

Joe Carbajal is the Contracts Manager for the Mt. San Antonio Community College District. He has spent the past seven years at Mt. San Antonio College in a variety of roles, developing a strong foundation in procurement and contract administration. Through his work on numerous construction contracts as part of the District’s billion-dollar bond construction program, Joe gained valuable experience that supports the preparation and review of the wide range of agreements the District manages each year. Since joining the Purchasing team in 2024, Joe has contributed to the centralization of contracts, the refinement of purchasing policies and procedures, and the standardization of District agreements. He continues to support the ongoing development and refinement of the District’s centralized contracts management system, working closely with departments across campus to provide guidance, resources, and training. Joe enjoys seeing contracts come to life through student events, travel, performances, and major purchases, and takes pride in ensuring these activities are carried out safely, cost-effectively, and in support of the District’s mission to serve students.

Jorge Burwick serves as the Senior Program Manager of CollegeBuys where he oversees CollegeBuys contracts, vendor relationships, and contract support functions. Based on systemwide need, he works to develop new business lines by vetting prospective vendors and managing compliant requests for proposals. Jorge supports systemwide collaborative procurement initiatives. Jorge has over 10 years of experience in higher education and has committed himself to working with projects that focus on equity and inclusion. Prior to joining the Foundation, he managed student programs at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities where he was responsible for corporate relations and campus outreach. Jorge is a native Texan and earned his bachelor's from Trinity University and master's from the University of Texas at San Antonio.