Speakers

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.

Kyle Hyland, Director, Governmental Relations, supports the governmental relations team by coordinating legislative and policy issues of interest to School Services of California Inc.’s (SSC) clients. This includes representing client interests at all levels of government, performing research and analysis, developing conclusions, preparing communications and reports, preparing documents to support or oppose legislative or policy matters, and monitoring meetings of administrative and policymaking bodies. In his time with SSC, Kyle has provided timely information to the field about critical education issues in Sacramento by writing Fiscal Report and Community College Update articles, contributing to SSC’s “Top Legislative Issues” series, and producing the weekly Sacramento Update for legislative clients.

Marcheta Gillespie is a dynamic international speaker, professional consultant and trainer. For over 34 years, Marcheta has served as an experienced thought-leader, advocate and volunteer leader in the procurement profession. As the former Chief Procurement Officer at the City of Tucson, Marcheta led one of country’s most highly acclaimed procurement organizations. Retired from government service after 28 years of service, Marcheta now serves as President of NIGP Code & Consulting, working with public and private industry to transform their procurement operations. Marcheta is the 2019 Albert H Hall recipient and 2017 Distinguished Service Award recipient, the highest honors bestowed upon individuals by NIGP. Marcheta is a former Chair of the UPPCC Governing Board, Former President of NIGP and served on the NIGP Board of Directors for 10 years. She serves on the NIGP Business Council and is actively engaged in procurement research. Marcheta has spoken at hundreds of international, national and regional events and has authored numerous published works in the profession.

Meredith Brown has more than 30 years of experience representing public agencies, public schools and colleges, independent schools and private educational institutions on matters including, but not limited to construction law, contracts and procurement, business litigation, open meeting laws, board governance, free speech on campus, and regulatory compliance. Ms. Brown has developed construction general conditions, independent school agreements, mediated large value construction disputes, and conducted workplace investigations and resolved disputes for public and private entities including, but not limited to, housing authorities, cities, schools and colleges. She has provided advice and training on claims avoidance, and defense for public entities. Ms. Brown has also responded to OSHA complaints and represented public and private schools in the resolution of employment and facilities disputes. She has experience drafting and negotiating commercial public and private leases, joint use agreements, and memoranda of understanding on various issues including, but not limited to data sharing.

Paul Butler is a Client Partner with Newleaf Training and Development, based in Valencia, CA. Paul is a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA). Prior to starting Newleaf in 2006, Paul served as a Regional Finance Director for Marriott International Hotels and Hilton International Hotels. He also served as the Director of Finance for Hilton Honors when Hilton’s worldwide HQ was based in Beverly Hills, CA. Newleaf has served 314 clients across 30 states and 8 countries specializing in helping people better manage themselves, lead others and grow business acumen. In 2016, Newleaf opened a second office based in Orlando, FL. Originally from Staffordshire, England Paul has been married to his wife, Gaynor since 1994 and they have two adult children.

Rupa Saran, Vice Chancellor & CITO at Coast CCD, provides leadership and vision for the strategic planning and development of information and learning technologies. An advocate for higher education access ad student success, Rupa leads the Common Cloud Data Platform Demonstration Project for the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. She also drives essential systemwide partnerships and initiatives as President of CISAO. Additionally, Rupa services on the CCC AI Council, 4CIS EAC and more.

Stephen McLoughlin advises public and private agencies on a wide variety of transactional and litigation issues. He represents California community college districts, universities and school districts in education-related matters, providing advice and counsel concerning compliance with Title IX, transgender accommodations, First Amendment, and other constitutional rights of students and employees and related federal and state laws. He represents education clients in grievance arbitrations, administrative hearings, and civil litigation in state and federal court. Mr. McLoughlin also drafts and negotiates contracts for property and general service matters, including technology-related services. He has experience with various land use issues, including the drafting of licenses, leases, easements and joint use agreements. Mr. McLoughlin has provided clients with analysis and guidance regarding federal regulations such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Mr. McLoughlin has experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including claims against public agencies concerning contract administration and public works projects. Mr. McLoughlin also advises and represents school districts and community college districts on all construction- related matters.