Meet the Team

Tom Matthews, Ph.D., is our Interim Associate Vice Provost for Career & Professional Development. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, with 35 years of university career center leadership in a variety of settings, including Case Western Reserve University and SUNY Polytechnic Institute. His portfolio has included career and academic advising, first-year experience, undergraduate research, pre-professional advising, student entrepreneurship, and leading the creation and implementation of a new division of student success at his previous institution. He is also the principal and owner of a consulting practice focused on career development and executive coaching.

Dr. Matthews earned his Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Syracuse University, his M.Ed. in counselor education from Penn State University, and his B.A. in communication studies and psychology from Bridgewater State University.

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.

Kim Rhodes is a proud LMU parent and after becoming acquainted with the wonderful LMU community as a parent, was inspired to join LMU as a staff member.  Kim is passionate about opening doors for students and enabling their career dreams. She believes LMU’s whole person educational approach and focus on social justice uniquely positions students and graduates to contribute to their professional communities as innovators, team builders and leaders. Kim welcomes the opportunity to use her experience and network in a variety of industries and professional environments to establish and grow partnerships with employers in Los Angeles, nationally and globally that benefit LMU students and the university community. Prior to joining the CPD team, Kim had a successful career as a corporate executive and attorney in tech, fintech and health services for global enterprises and start-up businesses.  As an author, she has published peer reviewed research articles on emerging privacy and security topics. Earlier in her career, Kim served as counsel to a US federal government agency. Community service and philanthropy are key priorities for Kim who is co-founder of a national nonprofit that supports cancer research. The mother of 4, a fitness instructor and an advocate for civic engagement, Kim holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and a JD from Villanova University School of Law.

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.

Career Coaching Focus:  Accounting & Finance; Entrepreneurship; Management, Consulting & Human Resources; Marketing & Sales; MBA; Business Analytics; Information Systems; International Business; Undecided
School Liaison: College of Business Administration

Naomi Shibley is the Associate Director for Business Professions and Employer Engagement at Loyola Marymount University’s Career and Professional Development office. In her role, she oversees strategic employer engagement across the entire university, strengthening partnerships, expanding pipelines, and increasing high-impact opportunities for all LMU students. Naomi also serves as the primary career liaison and lead coach for the College of Business Administration, supporting career readiness, employer visibility, and post-graduation outcomes for undergraduate and graduate business students.

Naomi joined LMU in June 2023 and brings nearly a decade of experience in higher education, career services, employer relations, and student development. Before LMU, she served at California State University, Fullerton, worked as an educational counselor in both public and private school settings, and gained six years of experience in customer service management and recruitment with Panera Bread.

A person-centered coach and leader, Naomi is committed to helping students, alumni, and emerging professionals pursue meaningful and fulfilling career paths. Her deep experience in business career advising, combined with her understanding of hiring trends and employer needs, allows her to bridge the gap between student preparation and workforce expectations. She supervises a team of professional and student staff and leads long-term strategic planning related to employer engagement, student engagement, and experiential learning.

Naomi holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton and a Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Career Coaching Focus: Health Professions; Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Program, STEM Professions
School Liaison: Seaver College of Science and Engineering

Erika joined the LMU Career and Professional Development team in June 2023 as the Assistant Director of STEM Professions. With a diverse background in geology and teaching, Erika is passionate about building inclusive and positive spaces for students in STEM. She has worked as a researcher in the geosciences, an advocate for the environment via nonprofit and museum efforts, a high school educator, a qualitative education researcher, and before LMU, was providing support to STEM students at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. Through her M.S. program at Northern Illinois University, Erika’s prior research in undergraduate persistence in STEM provided her with a framework for developing programs and intentional support to address the unique challenges faced by STEM majors. She is committed to using this experience as a dedicated career coach and to help the Seaver College community create the best possible environment for student success. Outside of her work at LMU, Erika enjoys making music, art, and exploring nature.

An alumna of Loyola Marymount University, Emily returned to the bluff in April 2024 as Senior Operations Coordinator for CPD after graduating in May 2020. While at LMU, Emily majored in International Relations and minored in Philosophy, while taking an active role in a sorority as well. The combination of those two areas of study allows Emily to take a more holistic approach to her work. Prior to returning to Loyola Marymount, Emily worked in multiple fields spanning from technology to medicine; having experienced a wide range of professions has made Emily into a catchall for all operational tasks she may encounter. Off the Bluff, Emily is an avid foodie and balances that out with national fencing tournaments. She is ecstatic to be back on the Bluff and is looking forward to contributing to LMU and young Lions again but now as staff!

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.

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. 

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.

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.