Professional Platform
Takis Talk – Episode with Ceci Muela
In this episode of Takis Talk, host Greg Diktakis sits down with Ceci Muela, Interim Deputy Director and Chief Building Official for the City of Oakland, to explore the balance between leadership, community service, and resilience.
Ceci shares her journey from single mom to respected leader, drawing inspiration from The Alchemist and Queen Elizabeth I. Together, Greg and Ceci dive into the human side of code enforcement, the art vs. graffiti debate, and the challenges of hoarding, street vending, and neighborhood preservation. Beyond her role in city leadership, Ceci opens up about her love of CrossFit, painting, travel, and the unique bond she shares with her 15-year-old daughter.
This thoughtful, inspiring, and often lighthearted conversation reveals how Ceci blends strength, compassion, and mentorship to empower both her teams and her community—while reminding us all to not get stuck in the suck.
Ceci Muela on Takis Talk: Leadership, Resilience, and Building Community
In this episode of the Takis Talk Podcast, host Greg Diktakis sits down with Ceci Muela, Interim Deputy Director and Chief Building Official for the City of Oakland. Ceci brings a wealth of experience in building, code enforcement, community development, and organizational leadership. Her story is one of resilience, service, and passion for uplifting both her team and her community.
From Building Inspections to Leadership in Oakland
Ceci Muela’s career began in a building department answering phones, but her curiosity and drive quickly propelled her into the field. Through mentorship, relentless learning, and hands-on experience, she advanced from a building inspector to senior leadership roles. Today, she oversees Oakland’s building division, code enforcement, plan review staff, field inspectors, and permitting teams, managing nearly 90 employees.
Her approach to leadership emphasizes efficiency, compassion, and community partnership. Whether dealing with graffiti abatement, street vending policies, or housing safety challenges, Ceci advocates for balance—supporting compliance while respecting the dignity of those affected.
Tackling Big City Challenges: Graffiti, Street Vending, and Hoarding
As Ceci shares in this episode, Oakland faces unique challenges, from graffiti management to street vending disputes and complex hoarding cases.
- Graffiti: She highlights how Oakland is exploring multi-agency collaboration and mural programs to transform vandalism into public art.
- Street Vending: Ceci stresses the need for pathways that support entrepreneurship while respecting brick-and-mortar businesses.
- Hoarding: With empathy and patience, Ceci approaches hoarding as both a compliance and mental health issue, working step by step with residents to achieve safe living conditions.
Her philosophy? Enforcement without losing the human element.
Monarch Consulting: Training the Next Generation of Inspectors
Beyond her city role, Ceci is the founder of Monarch Consulting, a training and mentorship platform for inspectors, code officers, and leaders. At Monarch, she emphasizes “mind-mouth harmony”—a communication framework rooted in verbal judo that helps professionals de-escalate conflict, strengthen community relationships, and build trust.
She also provides technical and leadership training, ensuring inspectors gain practical skills in recognizing unpermitted construction, understanding MEP systems, and applying customer service principles in the field.
For mentorship or training inquiries, Ceci can be reached at c.muela@monarchconsulting.info.
Books That Inspire: Queen Elizabeth I and The Alchemist
A lifelong learner, Ceci draws inspiration from two favorite reads:
- Queen Elizabeth I – a model of resilience and strength, guiding Ceci’s leadership philosophy.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – a timeless story about perseverance, setbacks, and embracing life’s journey without “getting stuck in the suck.”
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- Leadership with empathy – Strong enforcement and community partnership can coexist.
- Resilience matters – Both in personal life and professional service, perseverance is key.
- Training the future – Monarch Consulting bridges technical expertise with communication skills.
- Balance in life and work – Success is not just about compliance, but about honoring life’s journey.
Final Thoughts
Ceci Muela’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and purpose. From her roots as a single young mom determined to succeed, to her current leadership in Oakland and beyond, Ceci embodies the values of service, strength, and growth.
Tune in to the full episode of the Takis Talk Podcast to hear Ceci’s insights, stories, and strategies for building stronger communities and stronger teams.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.