Karla Pacheco
Karla Pacheco is the USC’s Senior Manager of People and Development and has been with the USC for the past 13 years. In her role, she manages a team of four USC staff that assists all of the different employees of the USC. Specifically, Karla and her staff support the development of our student leaders, our Board of Directors and our Executive team, in addition to the USC’s full time staff. Karla has played an integral role in making the USC community culture what it is today and cultivating the organization as a welcoming and safe space for everyone. Her team has led many initiatives to boost morale within the organization and has found ways to bring us together as a community, even during COVID times. Karla is dedicated to ensuring each Executive team is on-boarded onto the USC whilst feeling a sense of belonging and community, especially when navigating the more challenging and at times, sensitive parts of their roles.
What becomes obvious about Karla from anyone’s very first interaction with her is her genuine care and compassion. Her calming presence even in turbulent situations, sustains the energy and dynamic of the team. With Karla having worked closely with USC Executive teams for 13 years, it is evident she has had a lasting impact with many. When I met with some of the USC’s Alumni at the start of this year, I cannot even count the number of times that I heard that I was in good hands with Karla’s support. Many exclaimed how Karla had acted as a role model that influenced their future career paths. After having spent almost a year working with Karla, I know what they mean. Karla has a special ability to make you feel heard and supported because she not only actively listens but validates what you are feeling. I often wonder how Karla is able to balance so many different responsibilities, with the fast changing nature of the USC, all the while supporting all of us in an incredibly empathetic way no matter what kind of day she is having herself.
Ultimately, Karla is the type of individual that people love working with. She has an exceptional ability to use her empathy as a superpower to connect with others. Any executive knows that if you need guidance or support or if you are just having a really bad day, Karla is someone you can go to. Karla is also one of two women on the USC Staff’s Senior Management team and it is no secret that Karla has served as a mentor to many other women that have worked for the USC. The USC is incredibly lucky to have someone like Karla pushing all of us and the organization forward.