Women in Industry 2026

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 4:30 to 6:00PM
Location: PYLUSD Performing Arts Center at El Dorado High School
1651 Valencia Ave, Placentia, CA 92870

Can't make the event? Watch the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0dExXJEwUw

Overview

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) is pleased to host its annual Women in Industry event — an enriching, future-focused experience designed to prepare and empower students to become tomorrow’s leaders.

This special event will feature an accomplished panel of professionals from a variety of fields who will share their educational journeys, career pathways, and perspectives on leadership. In keeping with PYLUSD’s commitment to student voice, Career Technical Education (CTE) Academy and CareerLink Pathway students will serve as hosts and moderators, fostering meaningful dialogue between students and panelists.

Following the panel discussion, a brief reception will provide attendees with the opportunity to engage with speakers, ask questions, and build connections.

Moderator

Jessica McKenna | Comedian & Actress

Jessica McKenna is a multi-hyphenate comedic performer who studied theatre at Northwestern University and improv at The Upright Citizens Brigade. Notable TV/Film credits include: various appearances on the comedy streamer DropoutTV, the Lonely Island produced sketch show Party Over Here, the independent feature Song Of Back And Neck, Frasier, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Space Force, Modern Family, and After Midnight. Jess also lends her voice to the animated programs: Star Trek Lower Decks, Ten Year Old Tom, Craig of the Creek, American Dad, Big City Greens, The Mighty Ones, and the titular character on the Apple TV+ animated series Goldie.

Beyond acting, Jess works with her comedy partner, Zach Reino, on various projects. They wrote and composed music for the WGA Award-winning Peacock series, Baking It, starring Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, and Andy Samberg. The duo has written songs and musical sketches for Rick and Morty, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, Dropout and Nickelodeon. Last year, they wrapped production on their independent feature film Mock Trial; written and starring the duo, with Jess directing. Currently Zach and Jess are developing their musical Three Months Later with their co-writer David Wain. Their musical podcast "Off Book: The Improvised Musical" currently tours North America selling out venues across major markets.

It may be clear that Jess has made her career by wearing a lot of hats. She also literally enjoys wearing hats.

Panelist

Jenna Van Daventer | Co-founder, Valo Media House

Jenna Van Deventer is a media entrepreneur and the founder of Valo Media House, a women-owned content production and social media agency serving discerning brands nationwide. With more than a decade in the marketing industry, Jenna has built her career on the belief that authenticity, not formula, is what commands attention and moves audiences. What began as a bet on her own creative vision has grown into a boutique studio known for elevated, story-driven content. As both an agency owner and a creator, Jenna understands the media landscape from every angle. She is the voice behind @lennythelandcruiser, an outdoor and overlanding lifestyle brand she built from the ground up, giving her firsthand insight into the same challenges her clients face: building a following, monetizing content, and staying true to a brand in a crowded space.

Beyond her business, Jenna is committed to lifting up the next generation of women. She volunteers with Girls Inc. in Denver, Colorado, and champions outdoor initiatives that encourage women to feel confident and capable in the outdoors. Whether she is mentoring young women or expanding who feels they belong on the trail, Jenna is passionate about showing women that they can own the business, not just the byline - and own their space in every room, and every landscape, they step into.

Cameron Castaneda | OCDE Manager, Academic Content & Instructional Support

Cameron Castaneda is a manager for Academic Content and Instructional Support in Ed Services at the Orange County Department of Education. Previously, she was a classroom teacher for 19 years, an Instructional Coach, and ran the new teacher program, here, at Placentia Yorba Linda School District. She is passionate about education and teaching.

Norina Nillas | Healthcare Consultant at CareConnectMD

Norina Nillas, MSN, NP, MBA, is a seasoned Clinical Services Director with extensive leadership experience across PACE programs, ISNP/IESNP models, hospice operations, and long‑term care. She excels in building empowered multidisciplinary teams, strengthening clinical workflows, and guiding organizations through CMS and DHCS regulatory audits with top‑tier results. Norina has led large workforce teams, launched new markets, and developed comprehensive training and leadership programs that elevate provider performance and operational efficiency. Her career blends deep clinical expertise with strategic operational leadership, consistently improving outcomes for frail and elderly populations while fostering collaborative, high‑performing care environments.

Brooke Martin | Executive Pastry Chef, The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Chef Brooke Martin is the Executive Sous Chef at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, where she also leads the pastry program crafting elevated, visually striking desserts that reflect the hotel’s refined yet playful spirit.

Chocolate is her favorite medium—“you can mold it, whip it, spray it colorful or enjoy it in it's natural form. It can truly be anything you dream of" she says—and since joining The Maybourne Beverly Hills in September 2022, Martin has redefined the guest culinary experience through innovative seasonal menus and standout creations, from the haute couture-inspired afternoon tea, Prêt-à-Portea, to limited-edition handcrafted Chocolate Easter Eggs. A self-taught wedding cake designer, Martin is known for pushing boundaries and crafting confections that double as edible art. One of her most ambitious projects has been building a life-size, walk-in gingerbread house—a feat that speaks to both her technical prowess and creative ambition.

Before joining The Maybourne Beverly Hills in 2022, Martin led pastry programs at Farmshop and The Beverly Hills Hotel, where she directed high-volume teams, developed menus, and maintained the highest standards in culinary excellence. Her early career at Santa Barbara’s Bacara Resort & Spa gave her a foundation in luxury hospitality and a deep respect for quality ingredients and guest experience. With more than a decade of hospitality experience, Martin continues to push the boundaries of traditional pastry, blending classic techniques with modern imagination. Her work at The Maybourne Beverly Hills is more than dessert—it’s experience-driven, immersive, and always evolving. Whether she’s crafting delicate chocolate sculptures or designing seasonal showstoppers, Chef Brooke Martin is shaping the future of pastry—one inspired creation at a time.

Allison Young | Senior Manager of Consumer Insights at Chipotle

Allison Young leads innovation research at Chipotle touching on everything from decoding culture, menu innovation, restaurant design, and brand health tracking to name a few. Prior to Chipotle, she supported research at Mattel across iconic brands such as Hot Wheels and Matchbox. While her friends and family can’t believe she has spent her career mostly talking to people about toys and burritos, this actually was on her vision-board as a 10 year old. Beyond having an opportunity to connect with people (and talk about fun stuff) Allison ultimately loves having a seat at the strategy table with some of the biggest brands in the biz and using creative approaches to uncover inspiring new possibilities.

Michelle Kaslowski | Senior Contract Administrator, Western National Contractors

Michelle is a Senior Contract Administrator for Western National Contractors, bringing over 25 years of extensive experience in the Construction industry. Throughout her career, her deep expertise in contracting and administrative operations has successfully supported more than 100 projects, ranging from retail spaces and major rehabilitations to ground-up new construction. A Southern California native, Michelle is a graduate of Mt. San Antonio College, where she earned her Associate of Arts degree and a certificate in Criminal Justice. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

Ashley Pham | Project Engineer, Orange County Sanitation District

Ashley Pham first became fascinated with the water and wastewater industry in her high school AP Environmental Sciences class. In that class, she learned about Orange County’s Groundwater Replenishment System, a collaboration between the Orange County Sanitation District and the Orange County Water District that converts treatable wastewater to potable water for millions of Orange County residents. From that moment, Ashley knew she wanted to dedicate her career to protecting the community, the environment, and our finite water supply. She graduated from UC Irvine in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, specializing in Water Resources and Hydrology. While attending UC Irvine, Ashley served as President of Engineers Without Borders UC Irvine chapter and was an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. She began her career at Tetra Tech as a civil design engineer for potable water infrastructure and sewer main projects throughout the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and worked as an assistant engineer at the City of Anaheim Public Works Department in the roadway division designing street improvement projects. Ashley now works at the Orange County Sanitation District as a Project Engineer for the design of wastewater facilities and infrastructure across northern Orange County. As part of this role, she manages and coordinates the technical aspects of major capital improvement projects in collaboration with project stakeholders, cities, and regional agencies. Ashley is an active member of the Orange County Water Association and currently serves on the Emerging Professionals and Women in Water committees, planning networking events aimed at fostering mentorship and community within the water industry.