Manager, Community Construcation Outreach Program

 Here is what Benita's nominator had to say about her:

Benita manages UCSF's Community Construction Outreach Program (CCOP), which seeks to leverage UCSF's role as an Anchor Institution to train and place San Franciscans from disadvantaged neighborhoods on UCSF construction projects. UCSF has a 30% local hire goal for campus capital projects of $5 million and above.  

Benita excels at navigating the male-dominated world of construction contractors and labor unions to press for increased local hiring on UCSF projects. She deploys in-depth industry knowledge as well as diplomacy to leverage her small team of one to get results for the university. She works closely with departments across campus, including: Real Estate, Capital Projects, and Human Resources, as well as her own department of Community and Government Relations.  

Benita's extensive contacts in community and industry were very instrumental in the success of the Dept. of Real Estate's April 2021 Vender Diversity Outreach Fair, which recruited new small businesses from across San Francisco and Oakland to learn how to bid on UCSF projects.  

As UCSF builds a new hospital at Parnassus, Benita's work will be key to implementing UCSF's local hiring goal for that important project. 

  - Amiee Alden, MPP, Director, Local & State Government Relations

Overview of journey at UCSF:

​I serve as manager of UCSF's Community Construction Outreach Program (CCOP), UCSF's local hire initiative. In this role, I help the University fulfill its commitment to the community. As a program under the Community and Government Relations department, I work closely with the City and County of San Francisco's CityBuild program in helping San Franciscans start their careers and access lucrative jobs in construction.  

I find myself fortunate to work in a public health institution that prioritizes the social determinants of health and having an encouraging supervisor in Amiee Alden. Through CCOP, I get to exercise my values, which are grounded in immigrant and labor empowerment, economic security, and inclusive community development. In addition to helping secure employment, I've also had the honor of advocating for small and local business from the City's marginalized neighborhoods as a member of our Anchor Institution Initiative's procurement sub-committee. I have also worked with our Real Estate department in organizing our first Vendor Diversity Outreach Event and currently, I am a part of its working group that aims to instill Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles into the construction procedures of the New Hospital at Parnassus Heights. 

What’s your ideal weather? 

A bright, brisk day that sits within range of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. 

What advice would you give yourself early on in your career? To a woman entering your field today? 

To my younger self, I would say, "This is fun, this is a learning experience, and this will help shape how you look at the world. Don't take your daily experiences for granted." Add this to women and under-represented genders who are entering not only my field, but any field, my advice is to act on your aspirations, listen very carefully, and when you face a battle, fight to win, and fight with integrity.   

What has been an important success in your career? Have you had a key breakthrough moment?

I realize important successes in my career during chance encounters with workers that I previously assisted. Some of these are: on a vacation in Chicago, I stayed at a hotel where a bellhop told me about their successful organizing effort, and while waiting at an airport gate, a laborer stopped by and told me about their long-term assignment at a major construction project in San Francisco. Knowing that I have been a part of their professional journey is more recognition than I could ever ask for. 

What do you like to do outside of work? 

Long walks. Anywhere really, but not much on the beach. I also enjoy hotpot, spectator sports, theater, and karaoke. I'm feeling nostalgic in writing out these things I miss pre-pandemic. 

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