Master of Public Administration – California State University at Long Beach (2008); Bachelor of Arts in Business Management – University of Phoenix (2004)
Serena has over 20 years of experience in public sector management, leading and developing diverse teams across several departments. She is a strategic and innovative professional who can translate operational goals into initiatives that improve performance, growth, and engagement. She believes in fostering authentic connections and trust to address community challenges proactively.
Serena has experience recruiting and retaining top organization talent, developing and administering employment policies, auditing management operations, successfully reorganizing departments and outsourcing services, and addressing performance management issues. She has conducted numerous administrative investigations and training courses pertaining to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Serena is skilled in organizational development, change management, conflict resolution, and labor negotiations. Her political astuteness served her well in leading complex community discussions and organization-wide collaboration on evaluating public safety resources and budgets and overseeing the implementation of various equity-related initiatives. She also managed and led two units of the Emergency Operations Center in response to COVID-19, including developing related policies and protocols.
Serena’s most recent government experience was with the City of Culver City, where she served as the Assistant City Manager. She oversaw Human Resources, Risk Management, Cultural Affairs, and City Clerk operations in this role. She also served as the acting City Manager. She stepped in on different occasions to temporarily oversee the operations of the Finance Department and the Transportation Department and coordinate services and community responses related to the City’s unhoused residents. She also introduced diversity and equity programs to the City, establishing the City’s first Equity and Human Relations Committee. As a leader and organizational change agent, she prides herself on establishing and maintaining productive and trusted working relationships with employees, unions, elected/appointed officials, and community members.
