Celebrate Kiki's Life: Support Her Family

Hi everyone, It is with a heavy heart that I share the deeply saddening news of the passing of our beloved colleague, Katrina Lozada, whom we all affectionately called “Kiki”.

In 2017, Kiki was a last-minute interview I decided to schedule. She made an immediate impression on all who attended that interview and we didn’t let her get away. Actually, she did leave the parking lot, but I called and made her come back to interview with Nish. Kiki immediately moved from Los Angeles to San Diego with her partner, Adam and I can say without hesitation that hiring Katrina was one of the best choices I ever made. Her infectious smile had a magical way of lighting up any room, and she generously shared that warmth with everyone who crossed her path.

Kiki had a profound love for running. Many of you might have seen her during lunch breaks around Copley, effortlessly completing 5Ks or tackling a challenging HIIT routine at the gym. Just recently, she accomplished an incredible feat by completing her first Marathon in Los Angeles in 4 hours and 46 minutes—a testament to her determination and spirit.

The outdoors was where Kiki truly felt at home. She often spent weekends camping with her partner, Adam, in the beautiful landscapes of Southern California, sharing the joy of her adventures through vibrant pictures that captured her zest for life. She was so excited when she brought home her dream car, a green Subaru Outback Wilderness edition, that she immediately tattooed with stickers of places she visited. She also loved her plants and was proud of all 37 potted plants arranged inside her apartment garden.

Her family and friends adored her. Kiki found immense joy in watching her nephew play Little League baseball and cherished visits with her family in West Covina, where her family would whip up traditional Filipino breakfast spreads that left everyone wanting more. I was lucky to get a to-go plate brought in one Monday morning and I’m not ashamed to say that I didn’t share.

Kiki's passion for all things 90s was infectious. From her beloved Doc Martens to her favorite Gin Blossoms and Incubus tunes, she fully embraced that era and wore it with pride. She even had a 90’s keyboard at her desk, where I could often hear the rapid clicking and clacking sounds of an email being drafted and sent, probably to remind leaders in the nicest possible way to complete their termination tasks timely.

What made Kiki unique was her unwavering connection to her friends; she was always checking in, making sure everyone was okay. That was just who she was, and we loved her for it.

The words I write here are only a fraction of the person we’ve grown to know and love. We were lucky to have had her as part of the Payroll family. This loss is profound for all of us, and Katrina will be dearly missed.

Tom Koza created this GoFundMe for the benefit of Maria Lozada, Katrina's sister. All proceeds will be directed to her.