The women leaders of CSUB

New Foundation Board Chair Raji Brar and Vice Chair Connie Perez-Andreesen join university’s trailblazing leaders

By California State University, Bakersfield

June 24^th, 2021

Alumna, businesswoman and philanthropist Raji Brar was recently appointed to serve as the chair of the California State University, Bakersfield Foundation Board. This makes her the first woman of color to serve in this role.

Connie Perez-Andreesen, alumna, long-time CSUB supporter, and chief administrative officer and national vice president of United Farm Workers, was elected as vice chair.

The CSUB Foundation was established in 1969 as a financially self-sufficient auxiliary non-profit organization. The mission is to support the university by advocating for CSUB in government and in the community, fundraising, and managing the finances of the Foundation and university endowment.

Board members play a critical role in supporting the Foundation’s mission and work closely with the president and other campus leaders to increase private support to the campus.

“Raji and Connie are distinguished daughters of the Valley,” said CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny. “Both CSUB alumni, Raji and Connie are powerful exemplars to our graduates. As successful businesswomen in our community, they are the standard bearers of strong, strategic leadership. I am so proud to call both of these amazing women my friends.”

Raji Brar and President Lynnette Zelezny at the June 2021 Foundation Board meeting

Brar’s historic appointment is just one of her many accomplishments. She and her family are completely self-made. Brar is the oldest child of two Punjabi Sikhs from northern India who came to the United States with nothing in the 1970s and first raised their children in Central Valley farm labor camps.

Now, Brar is not only chief operating officer of her family’s Countryside Market & Restaurants, but the first Sikh woman elected to a California city council. She is a three-time Gubernatorial Appointee and has served on numerous state, county and community boards. She also co-founded a nonprofit, The Sikh Women’s Association, to address education, health and abuse issues facing the local Sikh community. As a recipient of countless awards and accolades, Brar is most proud of being honored as Women of the Year by the California State Senate and her induction in CSUB’s Class of 2021 Alumni Hall of Fame.

“CSUB has been an integral part of my life. Being chosen to serve as the chair of the Foundation Board is an honor I will cherish, always,” said Brar.

Perez-Andreesen is the daughter of Mexican immigrant farmworkers who worked to be able to provide the basic needs for their family of five. She was the first member of her family to attend and graduate from college, earning her CSUB degree in 2000.

Upon graduating from CSUB, Perez-Andreesen passed the certified public accountants examination and became a partner at a Bakersfield accounting firm. She subsequently opened her own accounting consulting business before joining the United Farm Workers in 2017.

Some of her accomplishments include an appointment by Governor Jerry Brown to the California Lottery Commission in 2012, where she served as vice chair and chair of its audit committee that oversaw the commission’s $6.4 billion budget. Perez-Andreesen also served as a board member and treasurer of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Perez-Andreesen volunteers for an array of nonprofit organizations and advisory boards.

“CSUB provided me with a great educational experience which has benefitted me throughout my career,” Perez-Andreesen said. “By serving on the Foundation Board, I hope to be able to fundraise and advocate for CSUB to help create opportunities for future students.”

From left to right: Connie Perez-Andreesen, Raji Brar, President Lynnette Zelezny, Krystal Raynes, Stephanie Magaña and Nancy Solis

Women leading the way

Brar and Perez-Andreesen join a number of women leaders at CSUB, including university President Lynnette Zelezny (CSUB’s first woman president); Dr. Anna Jacobsen, faculty representative on the CSUB Foundation Board; Nancy Solis, president of the Alumni Association Board; Stephanie Magana, the 2021-22 president of Associated Students, Inc. (ASI); and Krystal Raynes, student trustee member of the California State University Board of Trustees.

When asked what leadership means to them, here’s what each woman had to say.

“Leadership is stepping up to make a difference, especially when the stakes are high. Leadership is beyond self and often requires sacrifice. A great leader discerns when the situation and moment requires total commitment, and an unwavering willingness to give it your all.”

-Dr. Lynnette Zelezny, President of CSUB

Former Foundation Board Chair John Nilon welcomes new Chair Raji Brar

"Leadership is a call to service; we are here to be in service to one another, in service we grow and we learn to become leaders."

-Raji Brar, Chair, CSUB Foundation Board

“Leadership is being able to communicate the goals of an organization and then encouraging all people from all walks of life to participate in helping to reach those goals.”

-Connie Perez-Andreesen, Vice Chair, CSUB Foundation Board

Dr. Anna Jacobsen at the June 2021 Foundation Board meeting

"I strive to be a model teacher-scholar who inspires and equips students to be the next generation of scientific professionals while also conducting meaningful scientific research. As a faculty leader, listening to diverse perspectives and working together collegially with faculty colleagues, staff and the administration is key to developing policies and building a campus culture that furthers the mission of the university and ensures successful outcomes for our students.”

-Dr. Anna Jacobsen, Faculty Representative, CSUB Foundation Board

"I thought of the leaders that I look up to. One of those leaders is President Zelezny, since she embodies leadership. Leadership is a privilege that has to be earned through hard work, dedication and sacrifice. I see a leader as someone that empowers and inspires others and uses their position, voice and skills to serve others. A leader is humble and is not ashamed to get their hands dirty and assists others because they understand the value of each task and role. Lastly, a leader is strategic, innovative, resilient and optimistic. I’m honored to represent the more than 57,000 alumni of our university as the president of the CSUB Alumni Association Board."

-Nancy Solis, President, CSUB Alumni Association Board

"Leadership is about building others up, it's not about power but empowerment."

-Stephanie Magaña, President of ASI, Senior Computer Engineering Student

President Lynnette Zelezny and Krystal Raynes

“Leadership is the decision you make when you sit at a table, realize that a seat is missing for someone, and you pull up a chair for them. Leadership is being unafraid to take accountability for when you were wrong. Leadership is watering the gardens of others, selflessly. “