Jessica Alfaro
Senior Project Manager, Women’s Health and Adult Services
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love spending quality time with my two daughters (1yo and 10yo). We particularly love watching movies and exploring the many hidden hiking trails in our neighborhood with our Goldendoodle, Archie. I enjoy acrylic pouring, baking, and making custom gifts for the people I love.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
Bora Bora, Tahiti. We planned to babymoon in Bora Bora but unfortunately those plans were cancelled due to Covid.
Can you tell us about an important role model or mentor in your life?
Erica Rajabi is the Vice President for Women’s Health and Adult Services at Mission Bay. I’ll never forget the first time I met Erica at the Mt. Zion campus and the overwhelming feeling of “I would absolutely love to work and learn from her”. Erica is a quintessential human being, an exceptional leader and has truly been such a pilar and instrumental mentor in my life. I am beyond privileged to learn something new from her every day, directly and indirectly. Under Erica’s leadership she has helped me harness my potential and advance my dexterity to the best of my ability. Her daily work ethic and true commitment to quality work is immensely contagious and inspires me to perform to the best of my capability. It is through her support and guidance that I am motivated to push myself beyond what I think I can every single day. I read a quote once that said, “ One of the greatest values of a mentor is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see.” Erica believed in me and since has truly changed the trajectory of my life in many indescribable ways. I will measure my success when I have been able to do the same for others.
What’s your role at UCSF and what is your favorite part about it?
I am the Sr. Project Manager for Women’s Health and Adult Services at Mission Bay. I consider myself to be a ‘jack of all trades’ and absolutely love and enjoy the flexibility of working wide in scope with various projects. The nature of each project sets new challenges and targets which keeps me consistently busy- and I like to keep myself busy. My role as a PM is often evolving, allowing me the opportunity to keep learning new skills and processes. It encourages me to review and adjust my work style and allows me the grace and importance of learning from past mistakes. I’ve met and collaborated with extraordinary people along the way from different departments at UCSF that I would not have had the pleasure of if not for this role, and that particularly, is my most favorite part!