Renae Waneka
Senior Manager, People & Programs, Healthforce Center at UCSF
What’s your role at UCSF and what is your favorite part about it?
I am the Senior Manager, People & Programs at Healthforce Center at UCSF. I oversee all of our people functions – including staffing, engagement, and operations – while also leading our leadership development portfolio that designs and delivers impactful learning and growth opportunities for the people of health care. I love working with people to figure out solutions to complicated problems, and this job allows me to do that in a way that supports our people and the greater health care eco system.
What advice would you give yourself early on in your career?
Take more risks. I spent most of my life taking the path well-traveled or one that others defined for me. Spending more time exploring my disparate interests and remaining open and flexible to where that might have taken me would have been a fascinating place to be as a young person. Maybe I would have arrived at my love for people and complex problems earlier in my career!
What’s an issue you think remains overlooked or under addressed in terms of women in the professional world?
Work policies and systemic structures that allow women to balance care giving responsibilities with work – e.g., pay equity, alignment between child school and work schedules and expectations, paid family leave for child and elder care
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
Hiking or trail running to a pristine lake with my friends and family, swimming in the lake, and picnicking at the shore. Ending the day with a big healthy meal and a dance party with the latest pop and Reggaeton hits would be the icing on the cake. I could do this anywhere, as long as the weather cooperates, and my people are there!
Why did you decide to join the Women of UCSF Health's Committee?
I have spent most of my life investing my time and energy in the empowerment, education and development of women and girls. From being a Girl Scout Leader to coaching for Girls on the Run to starting a parent-daughter book club focused on girls leadership, I have had an interest in and commitment to supporting women and girls. I look forward to working with others at UCSF who have a commitment to investigating and addressing some of the challenges for women at UCSF.