The success of UCLA Administration and its respective units is driven by the dedication, hard work, and innovation of its exceptional staff. To recognize and celebrate the individuals who make outstanding contributions across our organization, we present the Administration True Bruin Values Award.
This award is an opportunity to honor remarkable achievements that exemplify UCLA’s True Bruin Values, highlighting the commitment and excellence that make our community thrive.
Anyone—managers, supervisors, staff, students, clients and customers—may nominate a UCLA Administration employee for this award. To submit a nomination, complete the online form, including information about the staff member and details about the exemplary performance achievements that have positively impacted team interactions, operations, or productivity.
Award recipients are selected twice per year and will receive the following recognition:
- Award Certificate
- A breakfast celebration and award ceremony with Administrative Vice Chancellor Michael Beck
- Recognition on this webpage
- Recognition in UCLA Administration approved media and Leadership Forum
- TBV jacket and two event tickets
Nominations have closed for Fall 2025 and will reopen in Spring 2026.
True Bruin Values Award Recipients
Listed in Alphabetical Order Each Quarter
Al Ferrone
Senior Director of Food and Beverage
Housing and Hospitality
Al Ferrone exemplifies visionary leadership through innovation, engagement, and impact. Under his guidance, UCLA Dining has consistently ranked #1 in the nation by Niche.com, reflecting exceptional student satisfaction and value.
Al has led the successful launch of multiple dining venues, including Epicuria at Ackerman Union, known for its fresh, Mediterranean-inspired menu, and the revitalized UCLA University Club, which now better serves faculty, staff, and alumni. His leadership has also driven consistent growth in UCLA’s catering services, including expanded offerings for Athletics.
A champion of sustainability, Al has prioritized local sourcing and increased plant-based options, aligning with UC’s Sustainable Practices Policy and enhancing the campus’s environmental stewardship.
Beyond operations, Al empowers his team with guidance and support, fostering a culture of excellence and creativity. His commitment to quality, innovation, and service continues to elevate the dining experience for the entire UCLA community.
Through his strategic vision and dedication, Al Ferrone has transformed campus dining into a nationally recognized model of excellence—setting the standard for culinary leadership in higher education.
Mike Flaxman
Senior HR Business Partner
Campus Human Resources
Mike Flaxman was nominated for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to service. As a key contributor in the Human Resources & Payroll Operations Center (HRPOC), Mike fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, offering thoughtful feedback and serving as a trusted resource for colleagues and clients alike.
He demonstrates accountability by streamlining operations and managing university resources responsibly. His transition of the pre-employment physical process from Brentview to Occupational Health saved UCLA approximately $126,000 and improved turnaround times. He also partnered with UCLA Health to enhance service delivery and championed technology to drive efficiency.
Mike’s integrity is evident in his transparent communication and clear guidance during client meetings, helping departments reach their goals with confidence. His service mindset shines through tools like Smartsheet, which reduce onboarding inquiries and improve user experience.
Known for his reliability, innovation, and proactive problem-solving, Mike consistently elevates HRPOC’s impact. His dedication to continuous process improvement and his ability to connect with others make him a valued leader and collaborator across campus.
Through his actions, Mike Flaxman embodies the spirit of the True Bruin Values and continues to make a meaningful difference at UCLA.
Chris Silva
Behavior Intervention Team Manager
Campus Human Resources
Chris Silva’s quiet leadership and unwavering integrity have transformed UCLA’s approach to campus safety. For more than a decade, he has guided the Behavioral Intervention Team, building not just a program but a culture of accountability, care and trust. Under his leadership, UCLA’s threat assessment model has become a benchmark across the UC system and beyond.
As chair of the Incidents of Concern Committee, Chris is a trusted advisor on the university’s most sensitive and high-risk cases. His calm, principled presence brings clarity to complex situations, and his judgment earns the confidence of colleagues at every level.
In the past year alone, Chris managed more than 130 behavioral threat cases, facilitated campus-wide trainings and secured expanded staffing through systemwide collaboration. He led a strategic revision of the BIT Charge Letter, strengthening governance and aligning priorities during a time of transition.
Chris’s impact defies easy measurement — but his work has prevented harm, redirected lives and made UCLA a safer, more compassionate place. He mentors peers, shares knowledge generously and leads with humility and purpose. Through his dedication, Chris Silva exemplifies the True Bruin Values and the power of public service to protect, uplift and inspire.
Bonny Bentzin
Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer
Facilities Management
Bonny Bentzin exemplifies the True Bruin Values of respect, accountability, integrity, service and excellence in every aspect of her work. Nominator Nurit Katz describes Bentzin as a visionary connector and systems thinker, who sees opportunity where others see obstacles—transforming surplus into solutions and waste into resources. Katz highlighted Bentzin’s sharp eye for detail that led to early reporting of critical facilities issues, including a major steam leak, saving UCLA valuable resources.
Since joining UCLA nearly a decade ago, Bentzin has mentored dozens of students, guided impactful projects and built bridges between staff, faculty and community partners. One of her key successes was helping secure a $244,000 CalRecycle grant to combat food insecurity, and she has personally transported rescued produce to campus on weekends. Bonny’s leadership in UCLA’s inaugural Sustainable Move Out initiative in 2024 significantly reduced landfill waste and redirected resources to those in need.
Bentzin’s generosity extends beyond her role. She stays late to support student events, pots succulents for giveaways and always ensures others are recognized for their contributions.
Though her work often happens behind the scenes, its impact is far-reaching. Bentzin not only advances sustainability at UCLA, but she inspires a culture of care, innovation, and community that will resonate for years to come.
Raquel Lopez
Information Technology Manager, Technology Solutions
Digital and Technology Solutions
Raquel Lopez exemplifies True Bruin Values through her steadfast leadership and collaborative spirit. As the driving force behind the multi-year effort to unify Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) research program databases under the Environment, Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) platform, Lopez has demonstrated extraordinary perseverance, patience and professionalism.
This complex project required coordination across departments, researchers, IT teams and external developers. Despite numerous setbacks, Lopez remained focused and solutions-oriented, ensuring progress never stalled. Her ability to balance technical precision with empathy and flexibility has earned the trust and admiration of colleagues across campus.
Thanks to her leadership, EHSA is now fully integrated into radiation safety processes, with controlled substances, chemistry, industrial hygiene, lasers and biosafety programs actively adopting its features. Researchers will benefit from a streamlined, centralized system—reducing administrative burden and improving compliance.
Lopez’s attention to detail, organizational excellence and unwavering commitment have transformed a daunting challenge into a campus-wide success. She leads with grace, listens with care and delivers with impact. Her work not only improves systems—it empowers people.
Emily Tunteri
Director, Employee and Labor Relations
Campus Human Resources
Emily Tunteri exemplifies the highest ideals of UCLA and the University of California. Tunteri brings unmatched professionalism, empathy and strategic clarity to some of the most complex and sensitive matters on campus. She is a trusted advisor who UCLA leaders turn to when navigating high-risk cases involving workplace misconduct, discrimination or crisis response, and her work has preserved institutional integrity, protected community well-being and saved the university millions in potential liability.
In the past year alone, Tunteri has led more than 100 reviews under the abusive conduct policy, developed campus-wide protocols for new state laws and delivered dozens of high-impact trainings. She is also a key member of UCLA’s Behavioral Intervention Team, where her sound judgment and compassion help guide critical decisions.
Beyond her technical expertise, Tunteri is a mentor, a team builder and a quiet force for positive change. She uplifts others, fosters trust and models the values she teaches. Her leadership is not only effective—it is transformative. Emily’s work strengthens UCLA’s systems, supports its people and reflects the very best of public service.
We encourage employees and supervisors to continue their professional and personal growth at UCLA. The university believes that by investing in its own workforce, we can build the leadership of tomorrow, and offers multiple pathways for employees to invest in themselves and their career. Please visit the Staff Award and Development Programs page for more information and to find a program that matches your needs and interest.
