Executive Officer
Lynda Gledhill
Lynda Gledhill has served as the executive officer of CalVCB since December 2019. In that time, she has led a transformation of the organization that included hiring a new executive team, reorganizing staff, and implementing measures to improve efficiency.
With a goal of assessing how to better serve victims, Gledhill oversaw efforts that resulted in the launch of a new customer-friendly website to provide better access to services for victims, providers, and advocates; implemented an Employee Recognition Award program to support staff engagement; and promoted workload efficiencies that shortened the time it takes to process applications by 40 percent. In addition, Gledhill actively engages in several committees and forums made of up state and national stakeholders dedicated to victim services.
Previously, Gledhill served for seven years as the Deputy Secretary of Communications at the Government Operations Agency, where she worked on projects to modernize the California DMV, establish the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, and make all state government websites accessible. She also held executive-level communications positions in the California Attorney General’s Office and the California State Senate. Gledhill started her career in California as a political reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, where for nearly 10 years she covered a wide range of state and national political stories. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from American University in Washington, D.C., and a Master of Arts in print journalism from the University of Missouri.
Chief Deputy Executive Officer
Natalie Mack
Natalie Mack joined the California Victim Compensation Board as Deputy Executive Officer of the Victim Compensation Program in May 2020 and became Chief Deputy Executive Officer in July 2021. Before coming to CalVCB, Mack spent eight years at the Employment Development Department, where she held several positions, including Central Office Division Chief of the Disability Insurance Branch, Projects and Technology Deputy Chief and Assistant Project Manager for the Disability Insurance Automation Process. She also led the efforts for the Disability Insurance Branch related to the Business Modernization effort. Mack began her state service in November 2001. She has held positions with the State Controller’s Office, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Department of Health Care Services, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Justice. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix.
Deputy Executive Officers
Kim Gauthier, Chief Counsel
Kim Gauthier became Chief Counsel at the California Victim Compensation Board in June 2020. She previously served as Special Counsel/Assistant Chief Counsel for the Secretary of State (2005-2007 and 2017-2020), where she also held the position of Deputy Secretary of State for Operations (2012-2017) during her 10 years with that office. Gauthier served as Chief Counsel at First 5 California from 2007 until 2012, Senior Corporations Counsel for the Department of Corporations from 2002 to 2005 and Staff Counsel at the Department of Health Services from 2000 to 2002. Gauthier holds a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Chico and a Juris Doctor from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1996.
Leo Anguiano, Information Technology Division
Leo Anguiano joined the California Victim Compensation Board as Chief Information Officer in July 2024. Anguiano has over 25 years of management experience in the state. He comes to CalVCB from the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) where he managed the Applications Development & Testing Branch and led managers and supervisors to work with delivery teams and bring business value by promoting the importance of good user stories that define clear requirements while using Human Centered Design to connect with users. Prior to DCSS, he led the development of specialized platforms at the California Natural Resources Agency (Department of Water Resources). Anguiano’s experience includes development of Enterprise Level Agreements for products as well as contract negotiation and contract development. Anguiano holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from the California State University, Sacramento. Anguiano is also a graduate from both the IT Leadership Academy (ITLA Cohort27) and Leadership for Government Executive (LGE Cohort24).
Jennifer Rocco, Victim Compensation Program
Jennifer Rocco joined the California Victim Compensation Board as Deputy Executive Officer of the Victim Compensation Division in July 2024. Rocco has more than 17 years of civil service experience and an extensive leadership background. Prior to coming to CalVCB, Rocco spent 3.5 years at the Civil Rights Department (CRD), where she served as the Assistant Deputy Director of Employment. In this role she oversaw a large team of investigators and technical staff working to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination and harassment in employment as well as bias-motivated violence and human trafficking. Rocco also served as the Assistant Division Chief of the Employer Account Management Division at CalPERS for five years and worked in several leadership and analytical roles for the State Controller’s Office for nine years. Rocco holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western Maryland College and a Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. She was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2008.
Shawn Ramirez, Administrative Division
Shawn Ramirez became the Deputy Executive Officer of the Administrative Division in May 2023. Ramirez has been in state service for more than 20 years and most recently served as the Assistant Chief of Human Resources and Departmental Labor Relations Officer for the Department of Motor Vehicles. She spent five years with California Corrections Health Care Services in a few positions and worked six years with the California Department of Human Resources as a Statewide Labor Relations Officer, Labor Relations Manager and Labor Relations Specialist. She has also held positions with the Franchise Tax Board, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of State Hospitals, and California Public Employees’ Retirement System. Ramirez holds a Master’s degree in public administration from Keller Graduate School and a Bachelor’s degree in technical management from DeVry University.
Katie Cardenas, External Affairs
Katie Cardenas joined the California Victim Compensation Board in June 2023 as the Deputy Executive Officer of External Affairs. Prior to coming to CalVCB, Cardenas spent 10 years at the California State Auditor’s Office, where she held positions in the administrative division, and as both senior auditor and auditor evaluator. Cardenas holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Cal Poly Humboldt and a Master of public policy and administration degree from California State University Sacramento.