Speak to Inspire

Jenn McCall '03, Water Polo Official at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games & Paralegal: Jenn began competitive swimming and water polo at 13 years old, playing for SoCal Aquatics throughout her club years. At Rosary, Jenn was a 3-sport athlete lettering in water polo, swimming and golf. She earned Athlete of the Year honors her Sophomore and Senior years. Jenn’s standout sport was water polo. She started on the Varsity team all 4 years, was captain of the team for 3 years. She led the team in goals and other statistics throughout high school. Jenn was one of the top 3 scorers in Orange County her Junior and Senior years. Jenn was named AllLeague, All-County and All-CIF. She graduated in 2003 and earned a scholarship to play water polo at the University of the Pacific. Jenn redshirted her first year, due to injury, and after a successful season in her second year, Jenn took her talents to the University of Southern California where she completed her collegiate water polo career and earned her degree in 2008 in Psychology with a minor in Kinesiology.  In 2008, Jenn began to officiate water polo for high school and USAWP. Jenn earned the award of “Top Official” at ODP (“Olympic Development Program”) Championships in 2010 and began participating in Jr. Olympics and other invitational events, as well as reffing high school and club games in the area. Jenn climbed the domestic officiating ladder quickly and began reffing collegiate games early in her career. She participated in her first NCAA championships as a referee in 2017 and was selected to officiate the championship game in 2022 and 2024. She’s also been on the World Aquatics (formerly FINA) referee list since 2017, making her one of 10 United States officials eligible for international competitions. In 2022, Jenn was awarded USA Water Polo’s Elite Referee Award (Bret Bernard National Referee Award). Jenn has participated in numerous international competitions from Youth to Senior World Championships, as well as World Cups. Jenn most recently participated, as one of two U.S. referees, as an official at the Paris 2024 Olympics Games. This prestigious selection made Jenn the first U.S. woman to ever referee water polo at the Olympics. Jenn is currently a full-time paralegal which demands quite a bit of her. She is the Junior Chair of SCAF and Vice President of SCAF-OC (local high school referee associations) and serves as USA Water Polo’s Southern Pacific Zone Co-Head Referee. Jenn continues to stay active with water polo as a master’s player with Riptide Aquatics.

 

Kate Wilson '16, Manager of Major Gifts for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee:  Kate works as the Manager of Major Gifts for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.  In her role, she raises money for athletes and the programs that support them.  Many Americans do not know that the Olympics and Paralympics do not receive government funding, so Kate and her colleagues are spread out throughout the country to spread that message and bring in dollars.  As of recently, Kate spent 3.5 weeks in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, where she hosted donors on a curated hospitality program.  Prior to her role with the USOPC, Kate worked in mental health for the Mind Health Institute and continues to champion their mission.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024: Suzi Brown '81, Carrie Nocella '95 & Susan Santana, parent '27

Suzi Brown '81, Vice President, Communications, Disneyland Resort: Suzi Brown is vice president, Communications for Disneyland Resort, overseeing internal, external and executive communications. She has been at the resort since 2008, previously serving as Director, Media Relations and External Communications. In her role, Suzi works closely with resort leaders to develop internal communications plans to engage and inform the diverse cast of the Disneyland Resort. She also oversees media relations, reputation/ issues management and crisis communications and works closely with the Public Relations and Marketing teams to develop integrated communications campaigns and strategies to build reputation, drive the business and position the Disneyland Resort as an industry and tourism leader.   Prior to joining Disney, Suzi’s experience spanned two decades, with key communications roles at Anaheim Elementary School District, Carl’s Jr. Restaurants and the City of Anaheim. She received her degree in communications, with an emphasis in public relations, from California State University, Fullerton, where she was honored as a distinguished alumna and currently teaches Entertainment PR. A longtime volunteer, Suzi serves on the nonprofit board for Goodwill of Orange County.

Carrie Nocella '95, Director External Affairs, Disneyland Resort: As director, External Affairs, Carrie is responsible for the resort’s overall government relations and policy initiatives and efforts, developing strategies and plans to help ensure a favorable environment for resort operations and expansion. In addition, Carrie is responsible for issues management and strategic community initiatives that drive the resort’s business objectives and reputation. Carrie joined the Disneyland Resort in 2007 as manager, Government Relations after having previously worked as an attorney in Sacramento. Among her many accomplishments, Carrie was instrumental in developing and driving the resort’s policy and political strategies. In addition, she is part of the team charged with land use planning and development projects. In 1994, Carrie started her Disney career in the Disneyland Resort Merchandise, Entertainment and Public Affairs divisions while attending Chapman University and serving as student body president and intern for (ret.) Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.  Carrie is active in the community representing the resort at the California Attractions and Parks Association, California Restaurant Association, Chrysalis-Orange County, Chapman University Board of Governors and Orange County Business Council.  Carrie received her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies with a minor in Spanish from Chapman University and obtained her Juris Doctorate from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. From 2008-2010, Carrie served as a professor at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law and currently teaches Political Science at the Wilkinson Undergraduate College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.

Susan Santana, Vice President, Human Resources, Disneyland Resort: As the Vice President of HR, Susan facilitates and leads the integrated and strategic Human Resources solutions that advance the employee experience for the Disneyland Resort. Additionally, she guides the development of HR strategies that attract, develop and retain the breadth of talent required to drive business success.  Susan began her career with Disney as an intern in the Walt Disney College Program and soon after graduation, started as a management trainee in operations at the Disneyland Resort. Over the years, she has held a variety of leadership roles in operations and learning and development and as an HR business partner. She has had the opportunity to shift her career and gain experience across multiple functions and business units such as Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney ABC Television Group and The Walt Disney Studios. Her passion for engagement, development and driving business growth is spirited by her childhood experiences. She grew up in different parts of the U.S., as well as other countries, which drives her desire to relate to others, learn about different cultures, and work holistically across teams. One primary reason for continuing to work for The Walt Disney Company is her ability to contribute to the evolution of the business and her ability to influence how the organization and employees also grow and evolve simultaneously. Susan graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Merchandising and Consumer Studies.