Reflecting on my professional journey

Overseeing a department and its programs is the straightforward part; the real work lies in helping families navigate their circumstances and creating meaningful change for at-risk youth. To do this well, my staff must be equipped with empathy, patience, clear communication, and accountability, among other qualities. Staff development is the foundation for meeting our KPIs, achieving our program goals, and having meaningful impact. 

Overseeing the operations of a short-term foster care agency serving unaccompanied children detained at the U.S.–Mexico border has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I saw my own children in every child who walked through our doors, and the work challenged me to grow both personally and as a leader.

I had the privilege of working alongside some of the most hardworking and compassionate staff I know, whose dedication rivaled the altruism and selflessness of my peer social workers at the County of San Diego’s Child and Family Well-Being Department. Even with a multi-million-dollar budget, we could never replace what the minors in our care needed most: their parents.

I sometimes joke that I was more stressed as a social worker in San Diego County’s Child and Family Well-Being Department than I ever was patrolling the streets of Iraq. While that is an exaggeration, there is truth behind it.

The workload for each case was immense. The children and families involved under the Welfare and Institutions Code often require far more support than the average family. There are deep-rooted issues that must be addressed before a child can safely reunify with their parents. When reunification happened, it was incredibly rewarding. This was proof that the long hours and hard work made a difference. When children could not return home because key protective issues were never resolved, it was heartbreaking. Children simply need their parents to feel whole.

Being a social worker in this field and department helped me appreciate the resilience of children and families, the importance of strong support systems, and the profound responsibility that comes with this work.

Serving as a Correctional Deputy Probation Officer was one of the most eye-opening chapters of my professional life. Inside those halls, titles and uniforms mattered less than humanity. I saw firsthand how trauma, systemic inequities, and limited options shape the paths of young people long before they ever enter the justice system.

The work was demanding and, at times, emotionally heavy, but it deepened my belief in second chances and early intervention. I learned how critical it is to balance accountability with compassion, structure with dignity, and safety with genuine relationship-building. Those experiences reinforced my commitment to working upstream, focusing on prevention, diversion, and community-based support, so fewer young people ever have to learn their hardest life lessons inside a facility.

Working as a housing specialist for homeless veterans was both humbling and deeply personal. Every time I met a veteran in need, I imagined them as one of the Marines I had served with, someone I might have stood beside overseas, someone who had worn the same uniform and carried the same weight. That perspective made it impossible to see the work as just paperwork or units to be filled; these were brothers and sisters who had earned far better than life on the streets or in unstable housing.

That mindset pushed me to go the extra mile, digging deeper for resources, advocating harder with landlords, and staying persistent when the process became slow or frustrating. Identifying and securing affordable housing wasn’t just about keys and leases; it was about restoring stability, dignity, and a sense of belonging for fellow veterans. My time in that role reinforced my belief that no one who has served this country should be left without a safe place to call home, and it strengthened my lifelong commitment to service long after taking off the uniform.

Becoming a Marine played a significant role in shaping the man I am today. It provided the structure and discipline I did not have at home, and the memories and friendships I formed during my service will stay with me for life. 

The Marine Corps is exceptional at developing leaders, and it certainly made one out of me. Although I had leadership experience in high school, the Marine Corps pushed me to new limits and helped refine my approach. My style has always been grounded in treating others with dignity and respect. I led beyond rank, focusing on the human side of leadership, and I cared for my Marines at a brotherly level—firm when needed, but always grounded in empathy and mutual respect. If we served together and you can speak to this, please share a note below. I would truly appreciate hearing from you.