Support Staff Conference 2025

Administrative Professional of the Year Winner

Laura Wascher Smiling

Laura Wascher

Student Services Administrative Support Supervisor

Nominated by Holly Rooks, Director, All 4 Youth

Laura’s 13 years of service at FCSS have been marked by her organizational excellence, mentorship, and solution-oriented leadership. She has streamlined internal systems, led onboarding efforts, and cultivated a collaborative team culture that empowers others to thrive.

Administrative Professional of the Year Nominees

Corinne Garcia Smiling

Corinne Garcia

Program Assistant, STEM Department

Nominated by Jason Horsman, Coordinator, STEM

Corinne is a behind-the-scenes powerhouse. She co-developed a streamlined travel system, manages records with precision, and leads large-scale events with skill and care. Her thoughtful touches and operational excellence have transformed both process and culture.

Thidavone (Pinky) Torres Smiling

Thidavone (Pinky) Torres

Program Assistant, Curriculum & Instruction

Nominated by Allison Hernandez, Executive Director, Curriculum & Instruction

Pinky brings heart and innovation to everything she does—from designing onboarding tools and internal trackers to creating uplifting programs like “You’ve Been Mugged.” Her commitment to team spirit, professional growth, and service make her truly one of a kind.


Keynote Speaker

Dominic Syracuse Portrait

Dominic Syracuse

Dominic Syracuse is an actor, standup comedian, and cognitive behavioral specialist. After receiving his Master’s Equivalency in Acting and Performance in Los Angeles, Dominic began teaching acting and improvisation to inmates in maximum security prisons. It was there that he became certified by the Cognitive Behavioral Institute of California to teach emotional management and the principles of positive psychology. Since then, he has led hundreds of workshops all over the world for such organizations as The United States Airforce, The Department of Health, and Federal coalitions on mental health. His work has also been recognized by The USC Master’s of Social Work Program, UCLA Nursing Program, and UC Berkley’s Bright Ideas Competition.


Panel Discussion

Panel Topic

Mastering the Role: Insights from Top Executive Assistants

Panel Moderator

Jennifer Brietigam Portrait

Jennifer Brietigam

Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

Director of Communications Strategy & Outreach

Moderator

Panel Members

Susan Wise smiling

Susan Wise

Clovis Unified School District

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Teresa Trevino Portrait

Teresa Martinez-Trevino

Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Tanya Seib Portrait

Tanya Seib

Fresno Unified School District

Executive Assistant to the CTO

Sarah Ballard smiling with a tree in the background

Sarah Ballard

Kingsburg Elementary Charter

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent


Vendors