Speakers

Norma Dunn is the Deputy Director of the Mission Community Services Corporation’s (MCSC) Women’s Business Center in Bakersfield California. A business and community leader with a proven track record known for her innovative approaches. Norma's passion for education and business, combined with her engaging personality, have earned her a reputation as a high-impact networker. She is a sought-after community leader as she is accomplished at planning and executing strategies that are both effective and efficient, in addition to a proven track record of assisting private, public and non-profit organizations with forging "success partnerships". Prior to taking the role as Deputy Director for the Kern Women’s Business Center (KWBC), Norma’s experience includes teaching business classes, managing the business department, as the Career Services Manager at Santa Barbara Business College. As a business consultant for SCORE and MCSC she consulted individuals who needed assistance growing their businesses. Norma is skilled in the State and Federal Certification processes, she and her team prepare small business owners by identifying and gathering the needed business paperwork to submit their applications. She is an adjunct business professor with Bakersfield College, and currently serves as the Workforce Development Director on the Kern County Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Board of Directors. Norma is on the Kern Initiative for Talent and Entrepreneurship (KITE) Committee and works with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Committee to educate entrepreneurs in financial fundamentals in the Central Valley.  The Kern Women’s Business Center was a key source for the Inc Magazine article on Bakersfield’s Latinx businesses.

Has served as Manager, Aggregates & Projects at GQMC, LLC since Fall 2018.

Formerly a self-employed, Construction Project Manager and “Lean” Business Processes Consultant.

Led all civil development projects at GQMC from summer 2012 until becoming a GQMC employee in Fall 2018

30+ years of Project Management, Operations Management, Engineering, and Process Improvement Consulting experience spanning multiple industries across the U.S.

Major Employers & Customers Served: Republic Services, Berry Petroleum Corp., Chevron Technology Ventures, BrightSource Energy, Inc., Argo Consulting Inc., Dana Inc., Hagemeyer NA, Masco Corp., General Motors Service & Parts Operations, Telamon Corp., Hillenbrand Industries Inc., Ingersoll-Rand Corp, Cummins-Allison Corp., U.S. Army Reserves - Corps of Engineers

B.S. - Industrial Engineering Technology, Western Illinois University 

Amy Travis began her career with CASA of Kern County in May 2012.  During her tenure at CASA, she has held nearly every position before becoming the Executive Director. She has been instrumental in the organizations restructuring and development, in launching new funding streams and increasing volunteerism. Amy is a Bakersfield native.  She is a graduate of Fresno Pacific University where she received her Bachelor of Art’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Amy has recently graduated from Loyola University’s Children’s Law and Policy Executive Program where she gained new skills to further her vision in leading a fighting force of staff and volunteers that work towards ensuring every child has a safe, loving home and that they have the opportunity to thrive.

“United Way is one of the most important and largest nonprofit organizations in the world, the noble work that has been done over the last century has been amazing, and I couldn’t be more honored and humbled to have been chosen to lead our local organization and represent the County of Kern at a state, nation and worldwide level. The opportunity ahead for United Way of Kern County is vast, but to seize it, we must focus clearly and continue to transform. A big part of my job is to bring funding and effective programs for our communities, but also to invest in my team and develop community leaders that will passionately own the brand and believe in the vision and mission of Living United.” – Mari Perez-Dowling

Mari first joined our United Way of Kern County family on October 17, 2017 as Director of Marketing and Development. She was then promoted to Interim President & CEO in April of 2018, and as of November 20, 2018 she became the permanent President and CEO of the organization.

Mari is a bilingual professional who has specialized in community education and program development within multicultural communities. Her experience also includes public and community relations, strategic planning, event planning, community engagement, volunteer engagement and media communications. She’s a creative thinker with a positive attitude, recognized for her strong leadership, and her abilities to engage different community-based organizations towards common projects promoting collaboration.

Mari’s relevant qualifications include her education background with a B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature, Teaching Credential in Single Subject/ BCLAD – Foreign Language – Spanish, M.A. in Multicultural Studies; Environmental Journalism Fellowship and News Production Fellowship. Her responsibilities include leading the organization in all its efforts to fundraise and execute programs that benefit the families and individuals of our Kern County communities

Mr. Tobias is the Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), a large private non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation serving Kern County and central California, with an annual operating budget of $85 million and over 900 employees. As a Community Action Agency, CAPK operates fifteen distinct programs and is part of a national network of agencies tasked with moving people out of poverty and assisting individuals in achieving self-sufficiency.  Some of the programs operated by CAPK include Head Start; State Child Care; WIC; Kern County Food Bank; Home Weatherization; AmeriCorps; 2-1-1 information line; Friendship House Community Center and the new “M” Street Homeless Navigation Center.