Development and External Relations

Josh Larsen

Executive Director of Development
jlarsen@law.uci.edu
(949) 824-7424

Josh Larsen joined UCI Law in November 2020 from USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, where he served as the Executive Director of Development. During his tenure at USC Dentistry, Josh and his team secured substantial philanthropic support from individual, foundation and corporate donors, benefitting clinical education, research initiatives and community outreach programs.

Previously, he served as the Senior Director of Development at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. During his time at USC Annenberg, and as part of the $7 billion Campaign for USC, Josh secured multi-million dollar gifts to fund capital projects, create student scholarships, launch new student programs and advance faculty research initiatives. While securing donor funds, Josh worked with student affairs colleagues to conceive of and develop new career programming to better leverage corporate partnerships and to open new career pathways for graduates. He also spearheaded the launch of the school’s initiative to provide resources that ensure access to extra- and co-curricular activities regardless of students’ financial circumstances.

Josh is a two-time USC graduate, having earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship.

Mary Ann Soden

Director of Development and Faculty Initiatives
msoden@law.uci.edu
(949) 824-9079

Mary Ann Soden joined UC Irvine School of Law in February 2016. She is an experienced non-profit executive as well as an attorney, having practiced civil law. Prior to joining UCI Law, she was the Chief Community Programs Officer for the Orangewood Children’s Foundation in Santa Ana, where she led their public-private partnerships for health and human services developing several innovative collaborations. Prior to becoming an attorney Mary Ann worked with Price Waterhouse (Legal Support Services) and American Express Bank in systems development and support. She holds a J.D. from USC Gould School of Law; a M.Sc. in Public Administration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley. She is very active in her own alumni associations, promoting networking opportunities, class communications, scholarship selection, and reunion giving.

Steven Andrade

Associate Director of Development
sandrade@law.uci.edu
(949) 824-2921

Steven Andrade joined UCI Law in May 2022 after serving as the Director of Business Development for a retail technology company in San Diego, where he managed key-investor relationships, served as the lead contact for industry partners and oversaw inventory operations.

Previously, Steven was a member of the Development staff in the University of Arizona’s Athletics department. In his most recent role as Associate Director of Development and Revenue Generation, Steven was responsible for securing major gifts for the Wildcat Club during the department’s recently completed, $60 million fundraising campaign. Additionally, he served as the Development team’s premium seating lead and managed the Arizona Stadium Skybox Suite program.

Steven holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a master’s degree in Legal Studies, both from the University of Arizona.

Rebekah Bergeron

Associate Director of Alumni and External Relations
rbergeron@law.uci.edu
(949) 824-2816

Rebekah Bergeron joined UCI Law in November 2019 as Development Coordinator, assisting and managing portions of alumni programming, student philanthropy, donor stewardship, campaign planning and tracking and development operations. In August 2022, Rebekah was promoted to her current role as Associate Director of Alumni and External Relations.

Prior to UCI Law, Rebekah served for three years with the University of Arizona Foundation’s Major and Principal Gifts team, where she worked with colleagues from across the University of Arizona development operation to ensure consistent and successful communication flow and fundraising planning. She also worked closely with the foundation’s senior executives while supporting trustee and high-level donor engagement.

Rebekah holds a bachelor’s degree in Social, Behavioral and Human Understanding from the University of Arizona.

Leslie Dods

Events Manager
ldods@law.uci.edu
(949) 824-0197

Leslie Dods joined UCI Law in September 2022 most recently from the private sector, where she produced events for the automotive industry supporting luxury brands. Leslie has varied experience working with non-profit organizations, corporations, and academia supporting fundraising, PR, marketing, and training events.

She returns to UCI having worked early in her career in the Office of Graduate Studies coordinating recruitment events. In the private sector, Leslie produced events ranging from press launches and consumer ride-and-drive events to regional training programs and executive retreats. With over 15 years serving non-profit organizations like Pacific Chorale, Working Wardrobes, Orange County Business Council and Visit Newport Beach, Leslie has produced numerous galas, international marketing events, leadership speaker series, forums, conferences and advocacy trips.

Leslie holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism, emphasizing public relations, from the University of North Texas.

Berenice Gomez

Development Coordinator
bgomez@law.uci.edu
(949) 824-1265

Berenice Gomez joined UCI Law in October 2022 after serving as a Compliance Assistant in a Medicare company where she managed the documentation of policies and procedures. In this role, she multiple departments and two sister companies, addressing complaints and issues as they would arise. She also held responsibility for various human resource functions, including employee background checks and the management of employee training requirements.

Berenice holds an associate and a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Platt College.

Alex Morris

Events Assistant
amorris@law.uci.edu
(949) 824-8971

Alex Morris joined UCI Law in July 2024 after serving as both a Librarian in the West Covina Unified School District and as an Office Administrative Assistant at West Covina High School. She is an experienced event professional having organized various campus events, student study trips, and managed staff and faculty attendance at various professional conferences. Alex also served as club advisor and assistant coach for the school’s Esports team, during which time the team won a 2024 CIF state title.

Alex holds an associate degree from Mt. San Antonio College and a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona—both in Child Development.