Meet the Team

Career Coaching Focus: Alumni

Marcy joined Loyola Marymount University and CPD in September 2015, and works with faculty, staff, and administrators to cultivate strategic partnerships in support of students’ career readiness. She is a consummate relationship-builder who enjoys connecting students with alumni for mentorship purposes. Additionally, Marcy is a Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach.

Marcy’s past roles include working in Alumni Relations at Cal State Northridge, and Mount Saint Mary’s University as an adjunct faculty member teaching career courses as well as the Associate Director of Career Services & Internships. Marcy holds an M.Ed. in postsecondary administration and student affairs from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in communication studies from Cal State Northridge.

In March 2023, Marcy’s portfolio shifted to focus on alumni engagement and coaching, and collaborating with School/College leadership, career champions, and faculty as a strategist and thought partner. She returned to teaching in fall 2025 with an emphasis on integrating life design into CPD’s course curriculum including “Strategy of Career Development” and “Designing Your LMU.”

Chris joined Career and Professional Development as Assistant Director for Business Professions in July 2020. He is a Class of 2020 LMU MBA alumnus. As an LMU student, Chris served as EVP of Operations for the MBA Student Association and CBA Senator for GSLMU, while coaching his peers as a CPD Graduate Assistant and collaborating with CBA faculty as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Management & Leadership Department. Before LMU, he worked for more than ten years in the wine industry, managing teams and working in marketing, sales, operations, and customer service. Chris believes his most impactful work is developing and coaching talent to achieve individual potential and drive organizational success.  He is thrilled to apply his experience and learning at LMU developing young Lions as business leaders with moral courage and creative confidence to be a force for good in the global community. Outside of work, Chris is a National Volunteer Partner for the American Red Cross.

Mitch Rufca, MBA is a Senior Lecturer in the College of Business Administration at Loyola Marymount University, where he teaches undergraduate courses in recruiting, staffing, and human resource management. With more than 25 years of experience in talent acquisition and executive search, he brings real-world hiring practices into the classroom, helping students develop the skills and confidence to launch successful careers. 

In addition to teaching, Mitch serves as Principal of Rufca Recruiting Services, a Los Angeles-based recruiting firm that partners with law firms, professional services organizations, and growing companies to identify exceptional talent. His work has spanned executive search, legal recruiting, technical recruiting, and organizational consulting, giving students firsthand insight into today’s evolving job market and hiring landscape. He is a frequent speaker on recruiting, talent acquisition, and career development, and enjoys helping students discover meaningful career paths while building lasting relationships with the business community. 

Career Coaching Focus: Communications; Government & Public Policy; Legal Professions; Media; Nonprofit & Social Services; Public Relations; and Undecided
School Liaison: Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts and College of Communication and Fine Arts

Thuy joined Career and Professional Development at Loyola Marymount University in March 2022. She provides career coaching to students and alumni in career transitions. Her professional background includes public policy, negotiations, and sales in tech, real estate, and mental health counseling. This rich work tapestry enables her to bring professional development programs and services to students and alumni who have a variety of interests. Thuy’s previous roles in higher education were with USC Viterbi School of Engineering and El Camino College. She has a Master of Education in Educational Counseling from USC and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wellesley College. She is deeply passionate about career development and is excited to serve LMU Lions in pursuing their professional endeavors.

Ronni joined Career and Professional Development (CPD) at Loyola Marymount University as Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships August 2026. She brings seven years of experience in International Admission at LMU, where she worked closely with students from around the world and refined a strong passion for student development and engagement. A proud LMU alumna, Ronni earned her Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the School of Education in 2020. She is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities and experiential learning experiences. She strives to empower students to explore their interests, build confidence, and connect with their communities. In her role with CPD, she is excited to develop collaborative partnerships and programs that support students in their personal and professional growth.

Ryan joined Career and Professional Development in July 2025 and has been working in higher education for over five years. As a career coach for the School of Film and Television and the College of Communication and Fine Arts, he advises and creates programming for students across campus interested in pursuing careers in entertainment and the arts. Prior to joining CPD, Ryan worked with similar student populations at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. Born and raised in Connecticut, he has a B.A. in English and Textual Studies from Syracuse University and an M.A. in Cinema Studies from NYU. While Ryan is thrilled to provide students on The Bluff with guidance on internships, jobs, and networking, he also loves talking to them about baseball and movies.

I’m a student-centered higher education professional with a Master’s in Educational Counseling from USC and over a decade of experience supporting diverse student populations through academic advising, career development, and employer engagement. My path in career support services began with the WorkAbility I Program, where I developed job opportunities for students with disabilities and at-risk youth. Since then, I’ve worked across K–12 and higher education institutions, including Otis College of Art and Design, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and Los Angeles Mission College, guiding students through career planning, internship preparation, and professional development.

From leading workshops and career fairs to managing employer partnerships and internship compliance, I thrive in roles that connect students to real-world opportunities. I’ve advised students one-on-one, collaborated with faculty to align internships with curriculum, and analyzed engagement data to inform strategy and improve outcomes. I’m especially committed to equity and access, and I bring empathy, creativity, and purpose to everything I do, whether supporting first-generation college students, veterans, or international learners.

Ronan is pursuing a Masters in Business Administration at Loyola Marymount University, having earned B.A. degrees in Screenwriting and Film & Media Studies at LMU’s School of Film & Television. As the Employer Relations Coordinator for CPD, he helps to connect students with meaningful opportunities across industries. Raised in Ireland, Singapore, and the U.S., he brings a global outlook to both his creative work and professional collaborations. 

Valentina Leiva is a 2026 alumna of Loyola Marymount University, where she earned degrees in Finance and Economics. Originally from Argentina, she was involved in various leadership roles throughout her time at LMU and brings a strong passion for building community and creating meaningful connections. As a student, Valentina worked with Career and Professional Development (CPD), and she now serves as the Events and Promotions Coordinator, where she helps plan and promote engaging programs and initiatives that support LMU students in their career development.

Sebastian is an Employment Market Data Strategist and an LMU alum. He analyzes labor market trends and student outcomes to inform strategy and programming. Sebastian brings a global, data-driven perspective shaped by experience across financial services, data science consulting, and higher education.

Michael is an LMU alum and Employment Market Data Specialist. He analyzes university data, labor trends, and USCIS policies to inform programming and improve student outcomes. His background in finance and entrepreneurship offers a practical, data-driven perspective for empowering international students.

Talal Sadeh is a Certified Executive Coach dedicated to helping leaders unlock their full potential, elevate their awareness, and lead with clarity and purpose. Before launching his coaching practice, Talal spent more than two decades in leadership roles at iconic companies including Mattel, MGM Studios, Spin Master, and Careismatic Brands, where he led high-performing teams and built world-class brands at the intersection of business and creativity. He earned his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, holds dual degrees in Photography and Economics from New York University, and received his coach training at the Hudson Institute of Coaching. Talal also draws on over twenty years of mindfulness practice and training, bringing presence and a deeply empathetic approach to his coaching.