School of Public Policy

Co-hosted by the UCR School of Public Policy and the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom 

Do you want to help shape California's future and represent your community on a state board or commission? At this special webinar, Governor Gavin Newsom's Appointments Secretary Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez will discuss her work to build an administration more reflective of California by recruiting leaders of all backgrounds, experiences and expertise to serve on state boards or commissions. She will share information about the process that can help students, non-profit leaders, community organizers, business leaders and the broader Inland Empire community find opportunities to represent the region across the state.

About Secretary Rivera-Hernandez:

Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez was appointed by Governor Newsom in June 2019 to serve as Appointments Secretary. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Rivera-Hernandez served three administrations as a Board Member on the Agricultural Labor Relations Board beginning with her appointment by Governor Davis in November 2002. Prior to joining the ALRB, Ms. Rivera-Hernandez served as the Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Governor Gray Davis. As Chief Deputy, Ms. Rivera-Hernandez served as the Governor’s liaison to various state agencies, departments and boards including the Health and Human Services Agency, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Emergency Services and Department of Food and Agriculture. As a member of the Cabinet office, Ms. Rivera-Hernandez was responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of administration policy and legislative initiatives within the agencies.

Ms. Rivera-Hernandez also served as special legal counsel, working closely with the Legal Affairs Secretary on significant legal matters arising within the agencies and departments. Ms. Rivera-Hernandez received a B.S. in Business Management from Arizona State University and obtained her law degree from Boalt Hall at the University of California, Berkeley where she was co-editor-in-chief of the La Raza Law Journal.