Get to Know PISCE President Isobel Kinsang
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The County has 11 great Employee Resource Groups. They are each led by a respective board of directors who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.
Get to know Pacific Islander Society of County Employee President Isobel Kinsang, an office support specialist with Medical Care Services (MCS).
Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?
A: I’ve worked at the County for 19 years with the Health and Human Services Agency. In my current role as the office support specialist to the Medical Care Services department, I provide a wide variety of intricate and technical administrative support to the entire administration.
Some of the many duties I manage involve P-Card Holder, submitting ServiceNow requests for Medical Care Services admin and San Diego Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal staff, managing invoices for vendors and contracts with the County, processing payments for subscription renewals, professional licensure, and membership renewals for the physicians. In addition, I also assist with maintaining inventory control for the department.
At MCS, our mission is to ensure San Diego is home to America’s premier local wellness delivery system with an emphasis on quality, equity, sustainability and transparency.
Q: What’s your workplace superpower?
A: My workplace superpower is humility. I strongly believe that humility puts us directly in the learner’s seat and frees us to design environments that drive authentic connections, meaningful collaboration, and improved performance.
Being humble in a workplace and having a sense of respect for others can also boost work performances, improve the quality of relationship among peers, and even supports mental wellbeing in the face of adversity.
As “Learner” being one of my five top strengths, I’m one who’s always interested and eager to learn new things, but often I’ve also learned and grew through my humbling experiences.
Q. Who are your mentors? Who inspires you?
A: While there are numerous amazing people I consider as my mentors, I’d like to give a shoutout to Marc Otto, founder and principal consultant of Strengths Consulting. He has been an amazing, positive, encouraging, world changer, big time supporter, “strength-finder” and a professional career coach whom I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to call my mentor. He basically brings out and sharpens the authenticity and uniqueness of the employees he mentors through his professional coaching skills and made them feel that the works they do are valued and appreciated.
Additionally, the two most inspirational and influential people in my life beyond a shadow of a doubt were my parents. They were exceptional, loving parents, dedicated, and hard workers. They’ve sacrificed so much and have raised me to become the person I am today. Their faith was their core foundation in life. They’ve inspired me in their humblest ways to never give up but rather be resilient! There is always room for growth, and that the sky is never the limit unless you limit your ambitions.
PISCE members with Former CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer
Q: What is the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?
A: “Feel proud for taking the rest.” Rest renews strengths and gets us ready for the next level of accomplishment. A balanced lifestyle is essential for maintaining a good physical and mental health.
Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?
A: The Employee Resource Groups of the County of San Diego. The ERGs are the fundamental melting pots that connect bridges between groups, departments, people, and their ideas in an inclusive and safe space for the employees. It is a one-stop shop where you can find great resources on how to engage with the communities through community outreach programs, workshops, and professional development.
The Knowledge Center is the HHSA training and organizational development department where they offer numerous online and instructor-led classes, professional development programs, and services. For someone who’s always eager to learn and grow, this is a great resource to tap into and search for specific training topics you might be interested in.
If you love outdoor activities, the Park and Recreation’s Experience the Outdoors program is a must for you to check it out. This program offers so much that you can possibly do whether you’d like to lace up your hiking boots and venture through an extensive network of trails, explore lush parks and open spaces, or take up thrilling activities like biking. San Diego’s diverse range of outdoor recreational opportunities will, without any doubt, keep you constantly on the move.
Q: Who are you outside of work and types of activities do you enjoy?
A: Outside of work and PISCE, I still engage in a lot of cultural and community outreach activities. I serve passionately along my fellow Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander community leaders, attending various cultural and community events.
I am an active member of the Pacific Islander Festival Association (PIFA), the Micronesian Outreach Ministries USA (MOMUSA), and I also serve as a board member of the MOMUSA Sports Committee.
When I don’t do work, my husband, daughter, and I love to go on sunset walks at the beach, hiking a trail at sunrise, or going on road trips with friends and extended families, exploring and sightseeing.
Additionally, I also enjoy going to music concerts, especially of the artists that I love listening to their music.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Overall, I’m very passionate about serving and helping others. I find joy and comfort when I know I’ve lifted someone else’s spirit just by lending a helping hand. It’s the simplest gestures that don’t even cost a penny. It made my heart full!
PISCE received a proclamation from District 3
Q: Tell us about your ERG.
A: PISCE ERG provides cultural awareness of the many island nations that make up the Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian regions in the Pacific basin, and is dedicated to building community and belonging. PISCE’s passion focuses on preparing the next generation of Pacific Islander leaders and establishing collaboration with community partners. Our mission is to work collaboratively with County initiatives, and to interactively embracing County Employees and the community by providing cultural awareness, outreach programs, and professional development.
Q: How has being in your ERG improved your experience working at the County?
A: Ever since I joined the ERG and later became a part of the ERG council, the network has been incredible! I’ve had the opportunity to meet such knowledgeable and experienced people who works at the executive level, and I have also met so many people from different departments and sister ERGs.
I’ve been fortunate to attend professional seminars that I’ve never had connections with before, and I’ve also had the opportunity to speak as keynote speaker at other department’s events. My involvement in the ERG has helped me a lot in ways to overcome my fear of public speaking. I still get nervous at times, but I’m more confident and relaxed now whenever I’m given the opportunity to share.
PISCE MEmbers
Q: What are your 3 favorite places to eat in San Diego?
A: I love to eat and I’m always open to trying new places, so it’s hard to narrow it down. My Current favorites are:
For breakfast, it’s definitely The Original Pancake House. Their German pancake is my die for, and if you know, you know what I meant.
Secondly, it’s the Manna Korean BBQ. Aside from their wide selection of high-quality meats, Manna Korean BBQ is very interactive and communal. Guests get to sit around a grill where they can cook their chosen meats and vegetables to their liking. Employees there are super nice and friendly.
Thirdly, it’s got to be Jake’s Del Mar. The location by Del Mar beach is incredible especially at sunset, and the menu is diverse enough that provides you with different options to choose from. I usually go for either the Chef’s Burger or the Ahi Tostada.
Q: Name one (or more) musicians/bands you are listening to right now?
A: I’ve got an endless playlist on my Spotify, but currently I’m listening to The Glory in Me by The Tonga Sisters.
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