Yolanda Benson, Deputy Secretary, California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
"Government as an Enabling Stakeholder in Our Present and Future Knowledge and Technology Economy: Politics, Business and Implementation"
The audio portion of Ms. Benson's lecture is available for download (iTunes Podcast).
Get iTunes for PC & Mac for free
Ms.
Benson addressed initiatives and policies being undertaken by the
State of California to encourage technology company and job
development, retention and relocation to California, including the
Governor’s current Strategic Growth Plan. Her presentation focused
on: (1) efforts by the state to maintain and create jobs and to build
the next-generation work force, (2) the economic impact of technology
training in the State through universities and other enterprises from a
perspective of both retaining and expanding the base of knowledge
professionals, and (3) maintaining California’s lead in innovation and
knowledge transfer across boundaries in a manner that preserves and
increases the California economy on a global basis.
Yolanda
Bazan Benson was recently appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
to her current position of Deputy Secretary at the Business,
Transportation and Housing Agency, responsible for jobs, economic
development and international trade. Prior to moving to the Agency, Ms.
Benson served as a Deputy Legislative Secretary in the Governor’s
Office during his first year in office where she handled issues related
to base realignment and closure, building standards, consumer affairs,
corporate governance, economic development, housing, public sector
labor and trade.
Ms. Benson’s diverse background and experience
includes more than twenty years of activity in the legislative arena,
public relations, governmental policy, ethnic and coalition development
and grassroots advocacy. Prior to working in the Schwarzenegger
Administration, Ms. Benson was a legislative advocate for the
California Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 15,000
California businesses. She was responsible for various policy issues
regarding the protection of jobs, and the creation and retention of
jobs in California. Ms. Benson’s experience also includes a variety of
positions in state government, including working for several members of
the California State Legislature and as a legislative liaison for the
Department of Toxic Substances Control in the California Environmental
Protection Agency. Ms. Benson has also been a legislative advocate for
numerous diverse organizations and companies. She was responsible for
effective communication and implementation of successful strategies for
the various clients she represented. Her understanding of both the
public and private sector brings a unique perspective and understanding
on how to approach issues and for "getting the job done."
Ms.
Benson is a board member of various organizations, including, but not
limited to, the Latino Journal, Community Resource Project, CORO, the
Latino Center and Adelante to name a few. She was born in Utah and is
the daughter of an immigrant from Mexico. She grew up in Utah and New
Mexico and began community college in Arizona. She holds a Bachelors
Degree in Human Resources.
