Session Speakers: In celebration of Women’s History Month, our speakers will be Asian Pacific State Employee Association President Karen Lookingbill, Association of California State Employees with Disabilities President Joyce Steingass, and Department of Rehabilitation Information Technology Supervisor Monica Handley.
Session Overview: The Career Development Program (CDP) is excited to host a meaningful panel discussion with notable CDP women leaders regarding leadership strategies, the challenges they’ve overcome in their personal and professional careers, and their vision for the future.
About the Speakers:
Karen Lookingbill is a Section Leader with CalPERS Health Benefits Employer Services, with nearly a decade of state service experience supporting more than 1,100 public agencies across California in delivering quality health benefits. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to the United States 15 years ago and previously built her career in sales and marketing with IBM, Microsoft, and Cisco, where she developed a strong foundation in service, partnership, and community engagement. She currently serves as APSEA President and has spent the past two years leading efforts focused on member professional and personal growth while helping build a stronger pipeline of future state leaders. She is a dedicated advocate for community involvement, meaningful connections, and supporting people through service and leadership.
Joyce Steingass is President of the Association of California State Employees with Disabilities (ACSED), advocating for disability inclusion and accessibility in California state civil service employment. Retired from the California Public Utilities Commission, she specialized in energy policy and served in prior years on the CPUC Disability Advisory Committee. Her personal advocacy interests include achieving sustainable employment for people with disabilities, mental health, autism, and family care-giving. She and her husband feel closely linked to the autistic community in their roles as parents of an autistic adult.
Monica Handley is an Information Technology Supervisor with the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). She leads a team of technology specialists who provide customer service, technology solutions, and assistive technology to support reasonable accommodation. Monica began her state career working for the Department of Health Care Services supporting and managing health care programs. Before beginning her state government career in 2015, Monica worked in business analysis and risk management for a global information technology company. Monica’s journey as a deaf person began in kindergarten when her hearing loss was first identified. She later became profoundly deaf at age 13 identifies as a late deafened person, one who acquired speech prior to hearing loss. She participates in numerous work groups and steering committees to advise on disability, inclusiveness, and equity best practices.
Each of our women leaders uses her position to empower others and building pathways for future generations.
Let’s celebrate Women’s History Month with them!