Page 28 - UPAAA GRC '21 Souvenir Journal
P. 28
CLOSING MOTIVATION
What is about your U.P. foundaƟon that moƟvates you to do what you do?
MODERATOR
MÙ® Sʽ®ãÊ, DVM, CAWA has been Senior Veterinarian
for the County of Los Angeles, Department of Animal Care & Control
(DACC) since 2012. Before that, she was Shelter Veterinarian at the Lan-
caster Animal Care Center for four years un l her promo on. As Senior
Vet, Maria is responsible for the development, implementa on and
oversight of the medical programs for the largest animal control agency
in North America. She led a team of 11 veterinarians and 28 Registered
Veterinary Technicians. In late 2019, DACC reorganized; Maria’s focus is
now on the four North County Animal Care Centers and DACC communi-
ty outreach and disaster response. In 2020, she was appointed by Cali-
fornia Governor Gavin Newsom to the 8-member California Veterinary Medical Board and earned her
creden als as a Cer fied Animal Welfare Administrator from the interna onally-recognized Associa on
for Animal Welfare Advancement.
Maria is Co-Lead for DACC’s An -Racism Commi ee and represents her agency in the County of Los
Angeles An -Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Ini a ve Commi ee. She is a member of the Philippine Vet-
erinary Medical Associa on, Southern California Veterinary Medical Associa on, the World Small Animal
Veterinary Associa on, the Associa on of Shelter Veterinarians, and The Associa on for Animal Welfare
Advancement. She is also a member and Immediate-Past President of the Southern California Filipino
Veterinary Medical Associa on.
PANELISTS
MÙ® E½®þã« J. Cçò, EÝØ. is a member of both the Philippine
and the New York State Bars. She earned her Bachelor of Arts, major in Poli -
cal Science (cum laude) in 1987 and Bachelor of Laws in 1992 from UP Dili-
man. Through a scholarship grant, she earned her Master’s degree in Industri-
al and Labor Rela ons with a minor in Human Resources Management in the
Execu ve Cohort Program of the School of Public Affairs and the Zicklin
School of Business of the Baruch College of the City University of New York
(with honors).
Elizabeth has over 20 years of legal experience in higher educa on law, cor-
pora on law, labor and employment, immigra on, and civil and human rights
laws. A er having worked in the public and the private sectors in the Philippines and in New York,
U.S.A., she decided that her niche is with the legal career service with the New York State government
where she is currently a Human Rights Specialist and public sector lawyer specializing in civil rights and
discrimina on cases.
Elizabeth is a member of the Interna onal Honors Socie es of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Gamma Mu, and the
Na onal Honorary and Professional Management Society of Sigma Iota Epsilon. She was recipient of
the 2018 Outstanding Alumna Award in Public Service given by the UPAA New Jersey Chapter; the 2018
Most Outstanding Foreign Workers in Public Service awarded by the Team United Maharlika, Inc.; and
the 2019 The Outstanding Filipino American Awards (TOFA) in Public Service and Human Rights.
