Jim Hooker
Associate Senior Vice President
Office of Cultural Relations and University Events

Jim is responsible for the artistic direction, production and management of more than 200 events a year on the University Park and Health Sciences campuses as well as at USC’s international offices. In addition, Hooker is charged with expanding USC’s visibility within the Los Angeles cultural community and enriching the university’s relationship with Southern California’s vast array of arts organizations. Also included in his portfolio are Arts and Culture at USC and Visions and Voices: The USC Arts and Humanities Initiative.

Hooker came to USC in 2002 with years of experience producing high-profile events for Hollywood studios and other entertainment-industry entities, including the Golden Globes and the Grammys. Prior to entering the events industry, he spent 11 years in film production, working on 40 feature films and three television series.

Hooker holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Texas and is currently working on a master’s degree in communication management at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Jenny Hansen
Director,
Campaign Events

As Director of Campaign Events, Jenny Hansen is responsible for the event activities surrounding the public launch of the Campaign for the University of Southern California. She also serves as a liaison for the Office of University Advancement in order to maintain the mission of the campaign and presidential standard at all campaign events. Jenny's previous role was Managing Director, University Events, where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations and provided strategic guidance for all events produced through the Office of University Events. Prior to joining the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events, Jenny worked as an event producer for Disney Consumer Products, a division of The Walt Disney Company. At Disney, Jenny was responsible for the production of internal and external sales meetings, licensee summits, and tradeshows. An alumna of the University of Southern California, Jenny received her bachelor’s degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish and her master’s degree in Strategic Public Relations.

Jeff Olsen
Managing Director,
Academic Events

Jeff produces the university’s Commencement and Homecoming festivities, as well as the annual Academic Honors Convocation. He also works with Visions and Voices to produce their Experience L.A. series, taking students off campus for various arts and culture events. In 2010, he produced the inauguration of President Nikias. An alumnus of the University of Southern California, he holds bachelor’s degrees in music performance and music business, and a master’s degree in communication management. Prior to joining the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events, Jeff worked as the program coordinator for the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

Katherine Furesh
Event Manager

Katherine is an alumna of the University of California, Los Angeles, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Music. Prior to joining the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events, Katherine worked as an Associate Director of Catering for the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and for Catering/Sales Management at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, The St. Regis Los Angeles, The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, Shutters on the Beach, and Hotel Casa del Mar.

(furesh@usc.edu)

Boneshia Perri
Event Manager

Boneshia is an alumna of Luther College where she received a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Prior to joining the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events, Boneshia worked for the Getty Center in Los Angeles as an Event Specialist.

(bperri@usc.edu)

Victoria Rizo
Administrative Services Manager

Victoria is an alumna of the University of Southern California where she received her dual bachelor’s degree in Communication and Sociology.  She rejoins the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events after working for many years as a student coordinator.

Rochelle Sakado
Senior Business Manager

Rochelle joined the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events in 2004. She is responsible for managing all financial aspects of the department as well as managing our ecommerce service. She is an alumna of the University of Southern California where she received her bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. Prior to joining the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events, she was in retail management at Macy's West.

Jan Thompson
Executive Assistant to the Associate Senior Vice President

Jan provides administrative support to the Associate Senior Vice President and on special projects. Prior to joining the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events, Jan worked as a manager for a designer clothing company. Jan is a graduate of USC with a bachelor of science degree in Dental Hygiene. She has been an active alumna and volunteer for USC. She comes from a multigenerational Trojan Family, including her husband, parents, siblings and three children.

Steve Lin
Webmaster

Steve joined the Office of Cultural Relations and University events in July, 2010. Prior to coming to USC, he was a web developer for Biola University and worked in the financial industry as an information systems manager. As the webmaster, Steve is involved in the design and data management of the web and information systems for the Office of Cultural Relations and University Events and Visions and Voices.

Nancy Willis
Reservation Services Coordinator

Nancy is a graduate of USC earning a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Finance and Marketing. Prior to joining the office of Cultural Relations and University Events, she was employed managing rental income properties in the San Gabriel Valley. Nancy is married to a USC alumnus and has two children, one of which is currently attending the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

Juvi Segura
Director, Audio Visual Services

Juvi is a graduate of the LACC Theatre Academy and a former Marine. His professional production experience Spans over 15 years of working in Theatre, Television, Film, Radio, and Musical Concerts. Some of Juvi’s work includes Projects with NBC, CBS, FOX, Univision, KCET, Americas Theatre Arts Foundation, Quetzal, Kiis fm, KPFK, KJazz, and KZLA. He first joined USC in 1999 with the School of Cinematic Arts in the IMS department. As A/V Director Juvi is responsible for the Audio Visual operations of the Office Cultural Relations and University Events.