Meet the business office team! 
 

Alexa Lopez

Director of Business Office

8 Years at UCI

Where is your favorite place on UCI campus? 
My favorite place on campus is Aldrich park walking the circle with coworkers.   

What is the best part about working at UCI? 
My coworkers, the sense of working as a family.

What is the most rewarding part of the job? 
The most rewarding part of my job is attending games and seeing everything that is done in the office come to life.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work/ favorite hobby? 
My favorite thing to do is to spend time with family. I also enjoy reading when I have time

Who is your favorite professional team? 
LA Dodgers
 

Kaleigh Burn

Travel Manager

15 Years at UCI

How did you get started in the profession and what brought you to UCI? 
 I was brought on at UCI as women's basketball Director of Operations. I was only going to stay for a season. A position opened up in the business office that they needed me to help out with…and 15 years later…here I am.

What is your favorite UCI moment or memory? 
Making the "You Make My Dreams (Come True)" video in support for Breast Cancer.
 
What is the best part about working at UCI? 
Watching the success of our student-athletes. Also, the connections and friendships I have built over the years. 

What do you find to be the most challenging part of the job that people might not realize? 
The most challenging and rewarding part of my job is when there may be an issue with travel plans and I am able to rectify it on the fly.

What is the most rewarding part of the job? 
Getting the teams on the road and setting them up for success.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work/ favorite hobby?
Boot camp and hiking.

Who is your favorite professional team? 
Pittsburgh Steelers baby!!!!
 

Stephanie Duran

Business Operations Manager

5 years as an undergrad, 4 years full-time at UCI

Alma Mater: UC Irvine

How did you get started in the profession and what brought you to UCI? 
I first heard about UCI when I came across a college fair at my high school going into my senior year. One of my teachers encouraged me to apply. In 2011, I was accepted into UCI and granted a full academic scholarship! During my freshman year, I started in athletics as a student assistant for the Business Office. I graduated in 2016 and moved into the Director of Women's Basketball Administration role. I now serve as the Business Operations Manager and have been since 2018.

What is your favorite UCI moment or memory? 
Graduation at the Bren Events Center! Walking across the stage with the friends I became closest with was something I never imagined. That same day I realized it was my last day an as undergrad, and first day as a professional in the real world. 
 
Where is your favorite place on UCI campus? Also favorite place in the Irvine/Newport area? 
On campus: Social Sciences Parking Structure (roof top). I love nights with clear skies. I also really liked catching dance crew practices on certain nights!

Off campus: Newport Beach! Anywhere on the sand, when the sun is out, is place of calm for me.

What is the best part about working at UCI? 
It's the community feel throughout athletics that made me want to be a part of it. The free ball games are a nice bonus too! I enjoy cheering on our student-athletes and coaches.

What is the most rewarding part of the job and why? 
The most rewarding part is mentoring my student assistant team and seeing them move onto the professional world. I valued and appreciated those who helped me navigate being a student assistant, so I love pouring my energy into my students and working on their professional craft.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work/ favorite hobby?
I love watching legal analyst debates, crime shows, and working on my fitness.

Who is your favorite professional team? 
LA Lakers & LA Dodgers! 
 
What is something no one knows about you? 
I had my very first job at the age of 9! My job included recruiting kids from or around Roosevelt Elementary School in Compton, CA. and selling nachos to them after school. Shortly after starting, our nachos became a popular after school snack.
 

Kate Fuentes

Business Operations Manager

3 Years at UCI

How did you get started in the profession and what brought you to UCI? 
I got started with athletics specifically at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo. I played volleyball in high school and at Saddleback then I ended up working in their Athletics department for 10 years in an administrative role and had the opportunity to come to UCI, where I have been familiar with my whole life since my mom worked here for over 30 years. As luck would have it, an opportunity presented itself in athletics and I knew I always wanted to be in an athletics setting. Sports have always been a part of my life, It just fit.
 
Where is your favorite place on UCI campus? 
I like walking around Aldrich Park, when I have a chance to get out of my office for some fresh air. (pre-covid).
Around the area, my family always likes to go explore what's new at the Irvine Spectrum and we also go to Newport beach a lot in the summer.
 
What is the best part about working at UCI? 
I always like being around the family friendly environment.

What is the most rewarding part of the job? 
Getting to watch our student athlete's thrive in the best environment we can create.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work/ favorite hobby? 
Hanging out with my kids. Exploring on new adventures or watching a new movie on the couch, creating memories with them is my favorite. Also we love any kind of beach or pool time we can get!
 
Who is your favorite professional team? 
I actually don't have a favorite team per say, but I am fortunate enough to know some people who play professional sports so I guess whichever teams they are on, I support.
 
What is something no one knows about you? 
I have actually recently had an interest in photography and have thought about taking a class.