Policies with Purpose: Fueling High Performance Through Structure

Policies with Purpose: Fueling High Performance Through Structure

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When: June 25, 2025
Time: 09:00 AM To 12:00 PM

Online Event

After registering you will receive a confirmation email with details for attending the online seminar through a service like WebEx, Zoom or Teams.

Join us for an engaging and practical seminar on policy development and performance management—two foundational tools for creating a high-performing, well-aligned organization.

This session will explore how to identify when a policy is needed, the key steps for developing effective guidance, and how well-crafted policies support performance expectations and accountability. While policies may not always be top of mind when things are going smoothly, workplace challenges often highlight the need for clear, consistent guidance. We’ll examine how these moments create opportunities to establish or revise policies that help teams operate more effectively.

From there, we’ll shift focus to the performance management cycle, covering everything from planning and setting expectations to coaching and evaluation. You’ll learn how strong policy frameworks set the stage for fair and effective performance management—and how, in turn, performance outcomes can inform future policy needs.

Led by two experienced HR professionals with in-depth departmental expertise, this seminar will walk you through practical tools, strategies, and real-world examples to help you implement both policy and performance initiatives in your organization.

Key topics include:

  • Identifying triggers for policy development

  • Gathering input and researching best practices

  • Aligning policies with Countywide guidelines (e.g., PPG809 and PPG820)

  • Connecting policy to performance expectations

  • Managing performance from goal-setting to evaluation and discipline

Whether you're responsible for shaping internal policies or leading teams, this seminar will equip you with actionable strategies to strengthen your workplace culture and outcomes.

We look forward to your participation in this important discussion!

Speakers:

William GomezWilliam Gomez

Senior Human Resources Manager, DHR

William Gomez is a Senior Human Resources Manager with the County of Los Angeles Department of Human Resources (DHR). Mr. Gomez oversees the Civil Service Advocacy, Dispute Resolution Mediation Services Division, Employee Relations, and Shared Services – Performance Management and Investigations section within DHR. His duties include, but are not limited to, overseeing the performance management and discipline for County departments. This also includes monitoring state and federal laws and providing consultations to departments regarding performance management and employee relations matters. 

In his previous role as a Civil Service Advocate, Mr. Gomez represented nearly 80% of all County Departments in disciplinary Civil Service hearings and discretionary appeals from 2007-2021. His dedication is underscored by a 100% success rate across almost 250 appearances before the County of Los Angeles Civil Service Commission.

Z BufandaZsuzsan Bufanda

Chief, Performance Management Unit, DHS

Zsuzsan is the Chief of the Performance Management Unit at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, where she leads a team responsible for administrative investigations, disciplinary actions, and department-wide performance accountability. With over two decades of human resources experience spanning DHS, Mental Health, Public Works, and the Registrar-Recorder’s Office, she offers a comprehensive HR perspective grounded in operations, compliance, labor relations, health and safety, return-to-work, performance management, and risk.

Marina CooperMarina Cooper,

Head Departmental Civil Service Representative, DPSS

With over 34 years of dedicated service with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Ms. Cooper has held various administrative roles focused on optimizing performance and service delivery across the County.  The last seven years, she has served in the Discipline, Policy, Litigation and Live Scan section, providing guidance to DPSS managers on performance management and disciplinary issues, ensuring reasonable, fair, and consistent enforcement of Departmental rules, policies, and procedures.

Ms. Cooper has oversight of the justice background clearance team, responsible for determining hiring suitability for new hires, promotions, reinstatements, restorations, and rehires.   Additionally, she manages the Discipline Unit, which evaluates appropriate disciplinary actions in alignment with Departmental and County Policies, ensuring they can withstand administrative and/or legal challenges. As the department’s decision-maker she testifies before the Civil Service and Employee Relations Commission. She firmly believes that successes in her role stems from the collaboration she maintains with both internal and external partners.
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