Meet the Team

P. Alberto Sandoval leads UC Irvine’s community and government relations strategy, overseeing programs that foster understanding of and  support for the university’s mission, vision and accomplishments. Prior to his current role on campus, he served as UC Irvine’s senior director of community & government relations.

Before joining the university, Alberto represented The Boeing Company before Congress and state and local governments on federal defense programs, as well as legislative, regulatory and land use issues.

His turn in the private sector followed 20 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives. There, he worked for former Rep. Dana Rohrabacher as deputy district director, where his focus areas were the aerospace/defense industry, technology and cyberspace and domestic policy. He also served as a senior field representative for former-Rep. Robert K. Dornan.

In 2009, Alberto traveled to his parents’ native Honduras in Central America to join the Washington Senior Observer Group as an international election observer. The group was invited by the Honduran Supreme Electoral Tribunal to observe and support the democratic process and ensure a free, fair and transparent voting process.

Alberto holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Fullerton, and a master of science degree from the National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. He serves on the boards of the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is a trustee of the World Affairs Council of Orange County.

Kristin Vellandi supports and leads legislative and policy education and advocacy efforts with local elected officials; members of the California State Legislature; Office of the Governor; California constitutional officers; state agencies; and community leaders and organizations, on behalf of UC Irvine and UCI Health, and in partnership with the University of California Office of the President.

Prior to joining UC Irvine, Kristin served as district director to two California state assemblymembers from Orange County, where she focused on bipartisan alliances and coalitions to support initiatives related to senior services, watershed health and coastal erosion. She also served as communications deputy to a Los Angeles city councilmember.

Her background includes issues management and public affairs work in the electric utility and telecommunications sectors, as well as service as a campaign manager for a Los Angeles Community College District bond measure.

Kristin is a proud alumna of UC Irvine.

D’Elia Wernecke advances UC Irvine’s education and research priorities in Washington, DC., building and maintaining the university’s relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agencies.

Prior to joining UC Irvine, D’Elia served on the government affairs team at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), where she briefed congressional staff, articulated agency priorities and helped highlight NSF’s artificial intelligence initiatives and impact.

D’Elia previously served as the associate director for governmental affairs at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities where she advocated for increased funding for higher education programs and university-based research in Washington, DC. D’Elia also served as assistant director of government affairs for Virginia Tech.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and English and a master’s degree in public and international affairs from Virginia Tech.

Christopher M. Leo oversees government relations, public policy strategy and community initiatives for UCI Health at the county, state and federal levels.

He brings more than 20 years of experience in advocacy, government relations and public policy in diverse environments. He also possesses a background in managing public and media relations, designing organizational strategies and building collaboration with key community and legislative leaders.

Prior to joining UCI Health, Christopher spent 13 years at Providence St. Joseph Health, where he led government relations for Southern California and the High Desert in coordination with the community benefit department. He spent more than six years as chief of staff to then-Assemblyman Lou Correa, managing both the Sacramento and Santa Ana offices and supporting legislative and policy priorities.

In addition to his government relations experience, Christopher practiced law for six years and served on the Santa Ana Planning Commission and the Santa Ana Sales Tax Oversight Committee.

He is a graduate of UCLA and Georgetown University.

Jennifer joined Tenet Healthcare several years prior to the acquisition from the Los Angeles County - Department of Health Services, where she served as a lead communicator for the COVID-19 emergency operations center and housing for health division. Jennifer also spent sixteen years at the Hospital Association of Southern California where she was responsible for the development and implementation of regional public affairs programs to support local advocacy efforts and supplement the statewide California Hospital Association’s public advocacy program. Providing leadership in local advocacy efforts at the city, county, state & federal levels, and outreach education programs to leading community and business organizations. Prior to joining the Hospital Association, Jennifer held leadership positions at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross.