The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by respective presidents who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.
Get to know our Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees ERG President Athena Buensuceso, an information technology analyst with Housing and Community Development Services:
Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?
A: Eleven years total—nine years as a permanent employee (Housing and Community Development Services, Air Pollution Control District, and A&C Office of Revenue & Recovery), and four years as a temp (SDCERA, Agriculture, Weights and Measures, and Public Health Nursing (when it still existed—remember the Askew Building?))
Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?
A: I manage multiple IT projects and help with the day-to-day support of my department, Housing and Community Development Services. I identify and address the technological needs of my department to help my colleagues do what they do best—serving the public and helping families find safe and affordable housing.
Q: What are three words that best describe you?
A: Resilient, Creative, Learner
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: Depends on the weather and my mood! I love to play the piano, but I also have been learning how to play the guitar and ukulele. I enjoy painting and drawing, and I like to hike. And of course, connecting with my APACE family, preferably over boba.
Q: Tell us about your ERG.
A: Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE) seeks to understand and celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander (API) cultures that make up an important part of our country. As we learn and appreciate the uniqueness of these cultures, we recognize the similarities that bind us all. We welcome all County employees—API or not—as we connect with our colleagues and discover API culture and history, grow professionally, and serve the community. (P.S. We like to serve food!)
Q: Why are ERGs important?
A: ERGs are formed out of a need for an inclusive and safe place for employees who share common interests and backgrounds to meet and support one another in a social and professional way. Through ERGs, employees have a collective voice that ultimately influences County policies and initiatives. The events that ERGs host provide opportunities for professional development, community service, and networking that lead to employee engagement and retention.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of your ERG?
A: I cherish the relationships that I’ve built through my ERG. They have been my support in many different ways, even and especially during the pandemic. The diversity of people I’ve met have helped broaden my perspective at work and in other aspects of my life.
Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?
A: APACE is an official Live Well San Diego partner, and their website has tons of resources for the local community. We’ve repeatedly partnered with PacArts and the San Diego County Library with our cultural and community events. Convoy District Partnership is a good source to learn about the greater Convoy area as a cultural hub.
Other resources include: Union of Pan Asian Communities, Balboa Park and its House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, and local colleges and universities and their student groups.
I also like to look for volunteer opportunities in my personal time, and I recommend using JustServe.
Q: Who can participate in your ERG and how can employees join?
A: Anybody and everybody! If you’ve ever been influenced by Asian/Pacific Islander cultures in any way, shape, or form, we want you as a member. If you’ve never been exposed to Asian/Pacific Islander culture, we absolutely want you so we can learn from one another. Send us an email at apace@sdcounty.ca.gov to connect with our friendly leadership team. You may also download our membership application form from APACE’s InSite page.
