Length of Service: 2 Years
Employee
Spotlight
Catherine Kwok
SF Admin
How did you come to work at On Lok: I have a passion for working with non-profit organizations that help people and strengthen communities. While searching for a job on LinkedIn, I came across a posting from On Lok for a Payroll Accountant position and decided to apply. After several interviews, I was fortunate to be offered the role, and that’s when my career became challenging and rewarding. Today, I am proud to serve as a Payroll Accountant at On Lok, supporting the organization and its mission.
What do you like most about your job: I enjoy the different challenges, especially ensuring compliance with applicable laws to process our payroll accurately. I learn from every challenge, which helps me improve my work and gives me a great sense of accomplishment.
Please share a little about you:
I like: watching movies. I can take myself away from life's stresses when I am immersed in a good movie. It is the best way for me to release my stress.
I know: how to maintain my mental health.
I could not do without: my teammates across Finance. We fully support each other to achieve our goals.
In my free time: I also like to watch movies and talk about them with my family. Quality family time for us is discussing our thoughts and feelings about the movie afterwards.
My superpower is: I am a fast learner and detailed-oriented. I am able to get new things done quickly.
By: Nathan McKenzie, Senior Director of Operations
Appreciation In Action
September is National PACE Month...
And what better way to celebrate than recognizing On Lok's National PACE Award nominees, Portia Ravanera and Terence Jong! Their stories are a powerful reminder of the difference each of us can make.
Terence Jong, Caregiver 4
for the Marie-Louise Ansak Award Nominee
Terence’s commitment to participant outcomes shines through his mentorship, emotional support, and leadership. His efforts to maintain care continuity and elevate care quality reflect the spirit of the PACE model. He exemplifies the ingenuity, unselfishness, and creativity that this award honors—making a lasting difference in the lives of our participants and embodying the true meaning of a team player.
Portia Ravanera, RN Lead
for the Outstanding PACE Nurse of the Year Nominee
Portia’s exceptional adaptability and leadership ensured consistent, high-quality care for nearly 400 participants. Her dedication to team cohesion and participant well-being exemplifies nursing excellence. Portia was selected from among an outstanding team of nurses this year for her embodiment of person-centered care, empowerment, and evidence-based practices.
As On Lok continues to expand and diversify, our approach to recognizing and appreciating our staff is evolving. While past recognition looked different, this year we are focusing on meaningful acknowledgment and celebrating impact. We are actively developing new ways to honor your contributions—guided by your voices and the results of our annual engagement survey.
Nominating staff for National PACE awards connects directly to our FY26 priority of Striving for Operational Excellence. Terence and Portia’s leadership, creativity, and teamwork are shining examples of how we can continually improve the way we care for participants, support each other, and deliver on our mission.
Please join us in congratulating 🏅 Terence and 🏅 Portia for this well-deserved recognition.
Open Enrollment is Coming Soon
By: Michelle Quezada, Benefits Manager
Save the Date (Nov 3 - 16)
On Lok offers best in class options for our benefit eligible employees and we are excited about the choices in 2026. Mark your calendar for Open Enrollment November 3rd - 16th.
Remember to review your benefits
When we take care of our people with comprehensive benefit packages, we strengthen the foundation needed to retain our valued staff and reach even more seniors with the care and support they deserve. This effort aligns with our FY26 priority of Striving for Operational Excellence: by providing substantial, competitive benefits and streamlining access to them, we’re investing in our people, allowing you to focus on what you do best—serving our programs that provide the highest quality of care to our participants.
Our benefits team will invite everyone to join a webinar in the next few weeks, so please check your email for an invitation. Staff will also be on-site to answer any questions during Open Enrollment.
November 3 - 16
Things to think about when planning your benefits:
HMO (Kaiser Permanente) vs PPO (Surest On Lok Health and Wellness) - what works best for you and your family?
Retirement contributions
Flexible Spending Accounts for health expenses and commuting
Pet insurance
Accident coverage for incidental costs if you get hurt
Hospital Indemnity coverage
Disability and Life Insurance
Vision
Dental
Please log in to UKG before November 1 and review your current benefits selection. You can contact people@onlok.org if you need help accessing UKG or have any questions.
By: Manuel Raneda, Senior Center Program Manager
Lace up your sneakers and join us! Even if you don’t plan to register or fundraise, you are encouraged to come out on the day of the walk, cheer on the team, and walk with us in support of this important cause.
On Lok is proud to sponsor the San Francisco and Silicon Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s. We invite you to join an On Lok team in this inspiring event, the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities across the country, the walk brings together participants of all ages and abilities to take steps toward ending this disease. It’s also a wonderful way to spend a morning outdoors—getting exercise, connecting with others, and supporting an important cause.
On Lok's sponsorship connects to our FY26 priority, Growing On Lok PACE to Serve More Seniors. Alzheimer’s and dementia deeply affect the communities we serve, and by walking together, we honor those impacted while raising awareness of On Lok. Showing up at events like this increases our visibility in the community—helping more people learn about who we are and the services we provide—while strengthening our commitment to reach even more seniors with the care and support they need.
Silicon Valley Walk to End Alzheimer's
Saturday, October 11, 2025 8:00 AM Registration 9:15 AM Opening Ceremony 9:30 AM Walk 📍 Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose Team Registration Page | Contact Event Lead Charlene Elefante with questions.
Location: Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose
San Francisco Walk to End Alzheimer's
Saturday, October 18, 2025 8:30 AM Registration 10:00 AM Opening Ceremony 10:30 AM Walk 📍 Bayfront Park at Mission Bay, San Francisco Team Registration Page | Contact Event Lead Manuel Raneda with questions.
Location: Bayfront Park at Mission Bay, San Francisco
Together, we can make a difference in the fight against this devastating disease!
new hires
Fremont Admin: Wanjun Lei, Caregiver 1
On Lok 30th Street Senior Center: Paige Straus, Senior Center Program Specialist
On Lok PACE 30th Street Center: Lillian Lam, Activity Leader
On Lok PACE East San Jose Center: Meryl Cabiong, Nutrition Assistant
On Lok PACE Gee Center: Brandon Allen, Driver
On Lok PACE Peralta Center: Andrea Baltazar Medina, Medical Assistant
On Lok PACE San Jose Center: Nicholas Truong, Driver
