Wevise’s mission resonates with all of our volunteers for different reasons. For Claudia Oakley, Wevise offers an important, personal way to engage with a community she deeply cares about, and that’s why she’s our Volunteer of the Month for September.
Claudia joined Wevise in April 2024, seeking meaningful work amid a crushing job market. She oversees many day-to-day tasks as Operations Manager, a role that suits her personality perfectly.
“I have so much stuff to do all the time and I’m always going from one place to another super quickly,” she said. Since becoming part of the team, Claudia has used this energy to address the platform’s project management workstream, helping Wevise undertake a massive shift of resources from ClickUp to Jira. “This project is about helping Wevise understand how to plan its organizational strategy – we’re articulating goals,” she said.
Claudia grew up in Mexico City and moved around cities such as Guanajuato and Merida, before ending up in San Diego with exciting opportunities in the gaming and medical device industries. She lives with her husband and two sons. Earning a living in a new country while taking on the challenges of motherhood are major influences on how she views the world.
“There’s a lot of assumptions from people that have better opportunities than you do,” she said. “I grew up with challenges, and I don’t ignore them. By joining Wevise, I’m able to contribute and feel good about it.” She studied economics in college and added that both transitioning to a different career and learning a new language give her a unique viewpoint in terms of helping others.
“I didn’t have any guidance, I had to figure it out myself. And sometimes you need someone who understands you and can provide resources and guidance. I would like to be the change I seek; I want to be the manager I wish I had.”
Meanwhile, being a mother has taught valuable lessons about taking time for herself. A voracious runner and longtime triathlete (San Diego’s water notwithstanding – “You don’t realize how cold it is!”), Claudia has had to change much of her routine. And while being a triathlete and an accomplished professional involves much of the same drive and ambition, she’s loving the new lifestyle.
“Being a mom changed my priorities. I still work out, still block my time, and I still feel like I always have something to prove. But now I have a more relaxed approach and life is more fun!”
And through it all, Claudia continues her hard work at Wevise with admirable goals in mind.
“I was feeling isolated and needed to feel like I was contributing and doing something valuable that is appreciated. Wevise gives me the chance to do that.”
