The nominees--2005.

Alphabetically listed throughout the pages of this special supplement to the Los Angeles Business Journal are all this year's nominees. Congratulations to each of you for setting an example and making a difference!

Kathy Aaronson

Founder and CEO 

The Sales Athlete, Inc.

Kathy Aaronson is the founder and CEO of the Sales Athlete, Inc., and author of the best seller "Selling on the Fast Track, How to Become a Sales Athlete." As a nationally recognized trainer and expert on all matters related to hiring, compensating and retaining top sales, marketing advertising and management talent, she is responsible for having facilitated more than 500,000 executives coast to coast since 1971.

Aaronson is a frequent guest lecturer and keynote speaker for association and corporate meetings and is well known for her ability to bring a fresh slant and warm sense of humor to each address. In her career she has been retained by more than a thousand companies.

Queen Ahneva Ahneva

CEO

Designers Network International

For 20 years Queen Ahneva Ahneva has been dedicated to giving men and women a sense of pride and unity with the global community through her Cultural Couture designs. Clergy, politicians, and celebrities have all embraced her one-of-a-kind designs, ready-to-wear, themed weddings and interior designs with textiles from India, China, Africa and Europe

She has particularly helped to empower and inspire women through her "Women Of Excellence" presentation in which women receive one of her exquisite hand-made Cultural Couture Crowns. For these women, Ahneva's creations are more than fashion. They are a symbol of personal power, wealth and wholeness through self determination.

Madelyn Alfano

Owner

Maria's Italian Kitchen

Madelyn Alfano is one of California's most successful restaurant owners. She is a hardworking businesswoman who brings the best aspects of family life into her chain of restaurants. She learned about ,he food business form her mother, father and the other members of her big family--who taught her, among many other things, that employees and customers alike are to be treated as an extended family.

Aside from her thriving, 500 employee business, Alfano is also deeply involved with numerous charities and nonprofit organizations, including Board positions with the FD Foundation (which promotes education on Jewish genetic diseases to young Jewish families), NAWBO, the Nicole Parker Foundation and Shane's Inspiration which builds playgrounds accessible to diasabled children.

Mary D. Allison

Senior Manager, Strategic Relationship Management (SRM)

Deloitte & Touche LLP 

Mary Allison is a senior manager in the Pacific Southwest Strategic Relationship Management group of Deloitte & Touche LLP, and has been with Deloitte for 10 years. While in this role, Mary has accomplished a 400% increase in revenues to green-field accounts over a 24-month period.

Mary is also active in her organization's regional Women's Initiative program, which focuses on advancing women within a supportive and flexible culture, with the specific objective of retaining and promoting women. In addition to Mary's contributions to Deloitte, she is involved with Junior Achievement (JA) of Los Angeles and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles Alexis de Tocqueville Society.

Kelli Amundson

Owner/CEO

RE/MAX All Cities Realty

Manhattan Beach based Kelli Amundson is the kind of real estate industry boss anyone would want to work for. According to her employees themselves, she's a fair employer who goes out of her way and takes the time to hear what her team has to say--maintaining an open door policy.

Perhaps most important, however, is Amundson's encouragement of volunteerism. She stands behind and supports her employees who volunteer their time in the community and does everything in her power to help by making donations, advertising and using her status in the industry to call others into action.

Nancy Aossey

Owner/CEO

International Medical Corps

Nancy Aossey is President and CEO of the International Medical Corps (IMC). She and her organization are dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health education and training, disaster relief and development of sustainable community programs. With over 18 years leading the organization under her belt, she has been instrumental in establishing IMC as a leader in crisis response, serving some of the most underserved people in the world, her dedication to helping people in crisis.

Aossy is an exceptional leader who has made this worldwide medical corps an organization that ouches hundreds of thousands of lives and has a positive, long-term impact on the countries that have received her help--something that will be felt for decades to come.

Audra Arbini

Watt Commercial Properties

Audra has had the opportunity to experience many facets of Watt Commercial Properties operations: accounting; construction management; property and asset management. The time in various positions has allowed her to increase the breadth and depth of her knowledge of development and management of retail shopping centers, multi-family housing, and mobile home park communities.

In 2003 she stationed herself at Watt Headquarters in Santa Monica as an Analyst. 2004 saw her playing an integral role in refinancing five properties. Currently she is the Asset Manager responsible for Watt Commercial Properties' commercial and residential portfolio, allowing her to focus on adding value for existing tenants as well as keeping an eye on the future by evaluating prospective properties.

Loreen Arbus

President

Loreen Arbus Productions, Inc.

Loreen Arbus is the first woman in the United States to head up programming for a national network--and she's done it twice (Showtime and Lifetime). She possesses a multi-faceted history in the entertainment industry leading to the formation of her own company which focuses on producing nonfiction programming for television and the internet.

Arbus is currently on the boards of a list of non-profits far too lengthy to include here. For over 20 years she has also been co-host of "The Women's Luncheon," a networking lunch that has been attended by more than 10,000 women. She is also the president of two charitable foundations and was recognized by President Bill Clinton for her philanthropic endeavors.

Rachel Ashwell

CEO and Founder

Shabby Chic 

With Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell has developed her distinct brand and style to successfully compete with, and regularly rank among, much larger and longer-established design firms. Her brand has expanded over the years to include furniture, bedding, home accessories, a television series, sleepwear and books

Although Ashwell has a full schedule as a business owner, she always budgets time for her children. In fact, it was motherhood that inspired her to create Shabby Chic--Rachel Ashwell Design and its design concepts tailored to homes that can accommodate children.

Alicia Ayala

Retired; Board Member

AltaMed Health Services 

Alicia Ayala is a community activist. For decades, she has worked to inform and empower Los Angeles communities on issues ranging from health care to education. Ayala joined AltaMed's Board of Directors in 2002 as a Consumer Board Member--Long Term Care ICMP Program.

Ayala also serves on the Board's Quality Management Committee. Ayala has provided the Board with invaluable insight of the needs for the senior population and has been instrumental in promoting long term care services to the community.

Antonia Balfour

Acupuncturist, Herbalist 

Antonia Balfour is an acupuncturist and herbalist practicing in Pacific Palisades. She holds a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a board certified National Diplomate in acupuncture and Chinese herbology. She first began to learn her profession in Taiwan, where she was working as an English teacher.

In addition to her private practice, Balfour's experience in alternative medicine and healing includes working as editor-in-chief for HealingPeople.com, an information-based website dedicated to complimentary and alternative medicine.

Kristi Barens

Managing Director

Mullin Consulting, Inc.

Kristi Barens has been a member of the Los Angeles business community for over 16 years. During that time she has contributed both time and money to local charities she feels passionate about. She is the first female Partner at Mullin Consulting. She is married with two children and still finds the energy to give back

Barens presently sits on several Boards, such as the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, where she is Chair of New Business Development and a member of the Women Leaders Bridging the Gap, an association of United Way donors and women business leaders who are committed to making significant annual gifts.

Wendy Barlin

CPA 

Wendy Barlin is more than an accountant--her expertise is advising people to better manage their business with financial and operational strategies, time and resource analyses, and income tax planning.

Barlin's professional experience spans more than ten years in industries as diverse as hospitality, entertainment, manufacturing and the retail industry. Together with her international business background and experience in foreign trade, she brings rich sources of information to her clients global businesses. Barlin and her team provide a full range of advisory services, accounting, bookkeeping and income tax compliance services.

Jayme Barrett

Author

"Feng Shui Your Life"

Best-selling author Jayme Barrett is the leading authority on inspired living. Her mission is to empower individuals to design their lives for increased balance, energy and motivation. For the last decade, she has been the driving force in changing the lives of thousands of people around the world. Her philosophy is simple and effective--when one displays symbols of beauty, abundance, success and love within their home and work environment, it creates a manifestation of the life they want to live: a blueprint for their destiny.

Jayme's book, "FENG SHUI YOUR LIFE," is the #1 most popular feng shui book and hit the Los Angeles Times Best Seller list in August, 2003. This year it will be published in Chinese and Korean with more countries on the way.

Heather Beatty

Partner

Bingham McCutchen LLP

Heather Beatty's thirteen year legal career includes representation of private and public sector management clients in labor and employment matters, include: discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistle-blowing, breach of contract, wrongful termination, unfair competition and wage and hour cases, including class actions, in state and federal courts.

Beatty also litigates business cases. Her clients range from Fortune 100 companies to high-tech start-ups and span a variety of industries. In addition to her labor and employment practice, Ms. Beatty has helped educate both attorneys and employer groups through frequent lectures to a variety of groups, including the California State Bar Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Betsy Berkhemer-Crediare

President and CEO

California Communications Inc.

Committed to community involvement, Berkhemer-Crediare, a well known public relations veteran, serves as statewide President of NAWBO California, which advocates for the issues and interests of one million women business owners and nine NAWBO chapters in the state.

Berkhemer-Crediare's public relations practice handles internal communications for major employers seeking to generate a unified culture, employee productivity and pride among the work force. Clients include Metropolitan Water District, Blue Shield of California, Farmers Insurance, Edison and Kaiser Permanente.

Jennifer R. Berman, M.D.

Rodeo Drive Women's Health Center

Dr. Berman is a urologist and internationally renowned expert and pioneer in the field of female urology and female sexual medicine. She co-founded the Female Sexual Medicine Center at UCLA. She also serves as Director of Female Urology and Sexual Medicine at the Rodeo Drive Women's Health Center in Beverly Hills.

Dr. Berman's research focus is on the physiologic evaluation of the female sexual response, developing medical therapies for female sexual function complaints, and bio-identical hormone treatments. She is a principal investigator and consultant to pharmaceutical companies, assisting the development of therapies for female sexual dysfunction.

Leslie Bernstein, Ph.D.

Professor of Preventive Medicine 

USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dr. Bernstein is the first holder of the AFLAC, Inc., and Chair in cancer research at the USO/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and serves as program leader for the Women's Cancers Program at the Center. In this role, she fosters programs in basic biology, epidemiology and prevention, and clinical science and translational activities among the 28 members of the program.

Dr. Bernstein publishes an average of 30 research papers per year, lectures throughout the world and maintains an active research program in cancer epidemiology. She is the chair of numerous major committees that provide guidance on research projects for her peers throughout the world. Her major research interests have been on obesity and breast cancer risk, and how other chronic diseases affect breast cancer prognosis.

Madeline Bernstein

President

spcaLA

Madeline Bernstein is committed to the humane treatment of and respect for animals through education and enforcement of anti-cruelty laws. A highly accomplished attorney, Bernstein is one of the country's preeminent leaders and advocates for animal welfare.

Under Bernstein's leadership, spcaLA has grown to a $5 million organization with more than 70,000 members. She has developed outreach programs using shelter dogs to teach at-risk junior high school students empathy and the need for humane treatment toward all living creatures, in addition to animal-assisted therapy, domestic violence intervention and disaster assistance programs.

Amy Bloebaum

Senior Director of Media and Artist Relations

Island Def Jam Music Group

AmY Bloebaun is currently responsible for on-camera opportunities, performances, cameos and interviews for all Island Def Jam artists on non-traditional televised outlets, such as prime time television shows, award shows, sports and cable programs and television specials.

Bloebaum has always had a passion for music and her love of the art form drives everything she does in her job. She believes that music is an art form that is immediate and creates an emotional connection with everyone regardless of race, age, religion, gender, social status or nationality.

Marisa A. Bradanini

Associate

Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc.

Marisa Bradanini is currently a member of Cushman & Wakefield's Apartment Group, focusing on multifamily investment sales. Her team yielded over seventy-five completed transactions within the last five years with an aggregate value in excess of $3 billion. Having started with Cushman & Wakefield in a support function, Bradanini's hard work and commitment helped her rapidly transition to her active, deal-generation position within the Capital Markets Group.

In the past twelve months, as part of the team, Bradanini was involved in over $1 billion in transactions. Her efforts span properties all over the country--ranging from Salt Lake City to Portland and beyond. She is also actively involved in the Arthritis Foundation and the United Way.

Dorothy Breininger

CEO

Center for Organization and Goal Planning

Dorothy Breininger has provided over 17 years of expertise to major corporations, universities, start-up companies and residences nationwide. She was instrumental in winning major contract bids such as Southern California Edison, Baxter Biosciences, and has been a long standing preferred vendor at UCLA. Breininger's presence in the Los Angeles community has brought her consistent local media coverage--leading to her being asked to spearhead LA's first ever Hoarding Conference for individuals that are plagued with excessive amounts of dangerous accumulations within their own homes.

Marsha L. Brown

President and Founder

Fu-Gen, Inc.

Marsha L. Brown is President and co-founder of Fu-Gen, Inc. Research and Investigation--a licensed investigation corporation specializing in workers' compensation, fraud, and transportation related issue investigations such as bus, automobile and rail collisions.

With over 25 years of experience, her expertise includes investigating cases concerning human resources and workplace issues, specific physical injuries, sexual harassment, race and gender discrimination, surveillance, background checks, workers' comp and liability insurance fraud, as well as vehicular collision and property damage fraud. She currently serves as the City of Los Angeles' DePartment of Building and Safety Commissioner.

Stacy Burleson

Bound Zebra, Inc.

As one of the three women owners of Beyond Zebra, Stacy Burleson, along with fellow owners (and Women Who Make a Difference nominees) Kim Burling and Terri Yamate, take "Girl Power" to the next level by encouraging their employees, clients and beyond to participate in helping others.

BZI closes its doors 3-4 times a year so that all employees can feed the homeless at the LA Mission. BZI also donates clothing and other items throughout the year. The owners have also "adopted a school" in Burbank. Their efforts have created a computer lab, enhanced the library, and added female executives (themselves) to the children's career day speakers.

Kim Burling

Beyond Zebra, Inc.

In 2000, the Walt Disney Company's in-house Promotional Products Purchasing division closed its doors, and 3 of its strongest employees--Kim Burling and her colleagues Terri Yamate and Stacy Burleson--struck out on their own and formed Beyond Zebra Inc. Their goal was to turn the promotional products industry upside down by taking a fresh approach to an otherwise traditional business.

With Disney as their first client, BZI expanded its client base to include Warner Bros, Universal, Boeing, Commerce Bank, etc. In only five years BZI has grown to a multi-million dollar business. Burling and her partners have taken "Girl Power" to the next level by encouraging their employees, clients and beyond to participate in helping others.

Karen Caplan

President and CEO

Frieda's

In 1986, Karen Caplan was promoted to President and CEO of her mother, Frieda Caplan's company, Frieda's Inc. It was Karen Caplan's vision and leadership that helped to propel Frieda's to the forefront of the produce industry as the nation's leading marketer and distributor of specialty produce.

Caplan was elected by her industry peers to serve as Chairman of the Board of United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. She was the first female chairperson in the association's 100-year history. She has served on the Boards of many industry organizations, most recently being appointed as a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank Board of San Francisco's Los Angeles branch.

Casey Carter

Volunteer

Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles

Casey Carter is a truly inspiring woman with epilepsy. Despite her condition and another devastating disease, she does not let either stop her from performing excellent work for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles.

Carter has been an active participant for several years and has contributed by mentoring others who are also coping with epilepsy. Her soothing demeanor, as well as her sincere care, makes her an integral part of the caring network of the Epilepsy Foundation.

Kim Castle

BrandU

Using the insightful principles she teaches, Kim Castle successfully helps hundreds of clients and companies grow their business through branding. While she has worked on large name brands including; IBM, DirecTV, General Motors, and Disney Interactive worked at large advertising agencies including; Grey Advertising, DMB&B, DB Needham; her true passion lies with empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners.

She has taken her years of experience with such above entities and in 2002 created a simple step-by-step branding process that connects the user instantly to their market. She has successfully steered identities for hundreds of small business owners and entrepreneurs, including coaches, authors, realtors, and so many others.

Alouette Cervantes

Director of Economic Research and Development

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation

Working toward empowering fellow community members for most of her life, Alouette Cervantes is dedicated to positively impacting the lives of others personally, socially and professionally. She has been a social worker for Para Los Ninos providing services to the Chicano population of Los Angeles since 2001.

Aside from her role as Director of Economic Research and Development for the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, she performs pro bonD consulting to nonprofit organizations including the East L.A. Youth Center and Teatro Sinergia, a small community-based theatre and has begun developing her own consulting business on the side.

Diana Chretien

Owner

The Crowning Glories

Despite being the busy owner of "The Crowning Glories" hat making business, Diana Chretian has found the time to help make the mid-city area more inviting to new businesses and a better place to live. During the past year, she has worked to get the Adams Blvd. and La Brea Blvd. project approved--a project that will new retail stores, housing and parks into the mid-city area.

Chretian is also the leader of the South Orange Drive Action Committee with whom she has worked tirelessly to stop the illegal activities of some ice cream trucks, drug selling, illegal dumping of trash, and prostitution. She was also instrumental in the 10-year fight to get a liquor store's license revoked for violations of the law.

Mary Ann Cloyd

Partner-in-Charge, Southern California Tax

PricewaterhouseCoopers

As the Partner-in-Charge of the Southern California Tax practice for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mary Ann Cloyd leads 400 tax professionals in one of the top markets in the nation. Her artful leadership nurtures the talents and diversity of her staff and she inspires them to achieve success not only in their careers, but in their personal lives

Cloyd is also passionate about the importance of education. She serves on the advisory boards of a number of academic institutions and recently served on the Board of Junior Achievement of Southern California. Serving as a member of United Way's "Women Leaders Bridging the Gap," she is focused on helping to break the cycle of poverty for women and children in Los Angeles.

Linda Coale

Chief Nursing Officer

Providence Holy Cross Medical Center 

As Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Holy Cross, Linda Coale is responsible for all nursing units,respiratory care, post acute, acute rehabilitation, and rehabilitation therapies in the medical center. Having joined Providence Health System in 1966 as a nursing assistant, Coale will retire later this year after 39 years of dedicated service to the health care field.

Coale's strong leadership, genuine concern for the health needs for those in Southern California, and devotion of the highest order to various health care organizations, show how far she has exceeded the expectations of her organization and why she is recognized as a leader among her peers.

Andrea Cockrum

CEO

The Fulfillment Fund

Andrea Cockrum has served as CEO of the Fulfillment Fund for 17 years, and her vision, commitment and passion for raising at-risk youth from poverty has enabled the Fund to rise to the complex challenges facing the community's public education system. She has grown the organization from a grass roots volunteer entity into one of the nation's most comprehensive mentoring, classroom-outreach and scholarship programs.

In addition to her work at the Fund, Cockrum serves on the Boards of the UCLA Tiverton House and the Women's Leadership Council. She is President of the Board of the New Design Charter School in Central Los Angeles. She is committed to changing the lives of thousands of students while inspiring community development.

Diane Cooke

Bingham McCutchen LLP

Diane Cooke is a volunteer in a number of organizations that represent causes ranging from breast cancer to rape survival and treatment to improving public health. Her many volunteer positions include her role as a member of the Executive Committee for the Rape Treatment Center at the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, her role as a member of the Board of Directors for the Santa Monica-Westside YWCA, and her position as Board member for the Tower Cancer Research Center.

She is also former Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles, and a co-founder of Bosom Buddies, a group of female survivors of breast cancer who offer support to newly diagnosed women.

Shea Cunningham

Research Project Director

UCLA

Shea Cunningham works everyday to improve her community by serving as a Neighborhood Watch leader, getting her street cleaned up and having trees planted. She is co-chair of the Ballona Creek Project aimed at beautifying the area along the Ballona Creekwaterway.

This year Cunningham focused on the forming of an ice cream truck task force, made up of the police department, Council Office, County Health Department and other city agencies. As chairperson of this task force, she is leading the group in an effort to solve the illegal activities of some of the ice cream trucks in the Mid-City area.

Donelle Dadigan

The Hollywood Museum

Built upon a slow but sure labor of love, the Hollywood Museum (a not-for-profit corporation) in the Historic Max Factor Building arose from Dadigan's passion for maintaining the history of Hollywood and her desire to give something back to the community She spends more than $1,000,000 of her own money each year to sustain the museum.

Under her watchful eye, the Hollywood Museum has become the city's preferred location for premiere parties and special events. For example, the Gable & Lombard Grand Salon on the fourth floor was the setting for InStyle Magazine's viewing party for Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford's "Clothes Off Our Back" Golden Globe Charity Auction last January.

Tracey Darrell

CEO

IRIS

Tracey Darroll is an inspiration to many women who dream of managing their own or their family's businesses.

As CEO of IRIS, Darroll is an exemplary small business owner who has built a successful portfolio of privately owned and managed properties for her family-owned company.

June Davidson

President and Owner

American Seminar Leaders

June Davidson is currently the President of American Seminar Leaders Association in Pasadena, where for years she has been training individuals to become top notch seminar leaders all over the world. She is also the Director of the For You Pasadena Female Entrepreneur Network--a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women achieve their personal and professional goals.

In 2003 she opened her current Pasadena location. June constantly serves as a roll model for others and encourages everyone to step out of their box and to go for their dreams. Over the years she has encouraged and trained thousands of individuals to become seminar leaders and to write their books and has provided them with the tools to accomplish their dreams.

Diane Davies,

Principal

Deloitte Consulting LLP

Diane Davies leads the Health Care Practice for the West Region of Deloitte and Touche, which includes the Provider, Health Plan and Life Sciences segments. Diane also leads the Women's Initiative nationally for Deloitte Consulting, a professional development program she has built--in less than a year--to help other high-talent women advance in the firm. This program has fueled the pipeline of strong women leaders and has engaged senior management across the practice to drive mentoring, coaching, and succession planning.

Based on her numerous accomplishments, Diane was recently ranked as one of the "Industry's Top 25 Most Influential Consultants" by the editors of Consulting Magazine.

Allyson J. Davis

Vice President, Marketing and Advertising

E! and Style Networks

After 3 years at E!, Allyson Davis has been promoted to Vice President of marketing and advertising. Her duties include overseeing strategic integrated marketing opportunities for both E! and Style, in the areas of affiliate marketing, consumer marketing, business to business marketing for the ad sales division, and online marketing efforts.

Davis has played a key role in developing online advertising efforts, creating innovative online tools such as interactive banners, content integration and grassroots marketing. In the area of affiliate marketing, she has produced on-air advertising that incorporate the network's on-air talent, utilized E!'s Academy Award "Red Carpet" coverage to promote the networks, and is coordinating and overseeing numerous projects involving emerging technologies.

Sherry Davis

CEO

Personal Wealth Journal

Sherry Davis founded the Personal Wealth Journal in 2003 with the goal in mind to help provide personal finance information to women. Starting with small dinner gatherings and personal sessions, Davis moved up to financial workshops at African-American churches, conventions and women's groups throughout California.

Now the Personal Wealth Journal prints 32,000 copies that sell out every issue. The publication serves to provide up-to-date information while being a one-stop shop of resources to access financial information, products and services.

Kim Day

Interim Executive Director

Los Angeles World Airports 

Kim Day leads the City of Los Angeles agency that manages a system of four airports comprised of LAX, Ontario International Airport, Palmdale Regional Airport and Van Nuys Airport. The four airports under Day's care account for approximately 2500 employees and a budget of nearly $750 million annually.

Many of Day's accomplishments are visual and can easily be seen by the public, such as the overall enhancement of the LAX facilities since her arrival at LAX in 1999. Other Kim Day accomplishments are not as easily seen, such as her high level of dedication for creating a safe traveling environment at the airports, and to operate them in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Clare De Briere

Executive Vice President & COO

The Ratkovich Company

Among her major accomplishments, Clare De Briere recently lead the Ratkovich team in successful negotiations with Mass Mutual Financial Group, leading to the $98.6 million refinance of the Alhambra, a 38 acre urban community in the San Gabriel Valley. She has also been involved in the financing of several other substantial Los Angeles landmarks.

De Briere believes in covering all the bases. She is a member of the Urban Land Institute and Crew-Los Angeles, is actively involved with the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women in downtown Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Council of the Urban Land Institute.

Orly Degani

Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLP

Los Angeles special counsel Orly Degani has a flourishing appellate practice at Sedgwick, and still finds time to improve the quality of life for animals. A long standing champion for animal rights legislation and enforcement, Degani has devoted much of her practice and a substantial amount of her time to her organization, Los Angeles Lawyers for Animals, a cosponsor of the animal protection bill, which Degani drafted.

Degani also founded the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Animal Issues Committee. As chair, she was instrumental in securing the passage of California's foie gras ban--the first law of its kind in the nation. In her spare time, Degani provides foster care for homeless animals and works to find adoptive homes for them.

Katherine Anne Despard

Director of Marketing

La Brea Bakery

As the Directory of Marketing for La Brea Bakery, Katie Despard is involved in both the commercial and creative side of promoting the LA institution's famous bread. Having revised La Brea Bakery's marketing infrastructure over the past 12 months, Despard is constantly teaching the community about the dynamic industry of artisan bread.

Most of all, however, Despard is proud to represent a socially conscious corporation. She has established La Brea Bakery as the chief corporate sponsor of the Los Angeles Garden School Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to the greening of LA's public schools and the environmental and nutritional education of the students.

Tammy Dickerson

Principal Owner

The Baker Group, LLC 

Over the course of five years, The Baker Group, established by entrepreneur Tammy Baker-Dickerson, has expanded from a home based business with one employee to a national, full-service event management firm generating over a quarter million dollars annually. Since launching TBG in 2000, her company has produced more than 200 events with over 100 international and domestic clients, serving more than 50,000 guests.

Dickerson has successfully demonstrated expeditious growth while combining her corporate experience with unrelenting drive. She produces events for corporate, politic, non-profit and entertainment entities with a mission to transform ordinary events into extraordinary affairs.

Marlene Dove

Blackwell International Academy of Performing Arts

Mariene Dove made her singing debut at Carnegie Hall, New York at the age of 15. In 1975, she met Robert "Bumps" Blackwell (Record Producer and Manager) with 17 gold records, who heard her sing and offered her the lead roll in "Showboat" (a play he was producing). Dove became Blackwell's right hand (in music), doing plays, shows and managing up and coming artists. Blackwell's dream was to open a "Performing Arts School." After his passing in 1985, Dove started "The International Academy of performing Arts."

Throughout Southern California she has conducted over twenty after--school enrichment programs, produced and directed successful plays, and various outreach programs instructing youth as well as senior citizens in the Arts. Currently, Ms. Dove holds the position of Music Instruction for L.A.U.S.D. School Volunteer Program.

M. Shawn Dreffein

President & CEO

National Planning Corporation

Under Shawn Dreffein's leadership, broker-dealer National Planning Corporation's holding company National Planning Holdings has steadily grown from a little known entity in 1998 to the third largest broker dealer network (by total revenues) in the country. She attributes much of the organization's success in attracting and retaining high quality financial representatives to managing relationships as well as to managing expectations.

Benefiting from National Planning Holdings' technology and support, the network had combined annual revenues of more than $407 million, a 20% increase over the previous year. With her impressive industry experience and honest approach to business, Dreffein is a prime example of a leader who makes strides for the financial services industry as a whole.

Yolanda (Yoli) Dunbar

Senior Vice President of Corporate Brand Marketing & Strategic Development

Frederick' s of Hollywood

As chief of Frederick's marketing group, Dunbar has spearheaded the incredible re-branding effort of the legendary company. With no industry precedent before her, she took the lingerie purveyor from tawdry to the Original Sex Symbol, changing the packaging, visual, creative and pr efforts and marketing plans.

Within the office, Dunbar plays a major role as team leader and mentor. During times of significant change within the organization, Dunbar has been a pillar for her team, with a "wide open door" policy, ensuring that her colleagues have a voice as well as an understanding ear when issues arise.

Tina Elmo

Director of Product Integration, Partnerships and Promotions

Scout Productions

Tina Elmo develops and oversees relationships with advertisers looking to integrate their products into Scout Productions' slate of shows and handles the individual product needs on a show-by-show basis.

Handling all product placements on shows such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Queer Eye for the Straight Girl, Elmo has worked as a trailblazer in the TV business merging content and marketing and has utilized her ability to bring different groups and companies together for a single purpose.

Zoila D. Escobar

Vice President Strategic Development and Community Support

AltaMed Services

Zoila D. Escobar has an extensive history in the health care arena. Her program development and administrative experience includes working with AIDS Project Los Angeles, as program director of the first "Latinas and AIDS" program in LA. At the UCLA Family Planning Clinic, Escobar served as clinic administrator for HIV services.

Escobar has served as co-chair of the first "Binational US/Mexico AIDS Conference," "Latino Artists Against AIDS" art show, the "Big Sisters of Los Angeles--Latina Advisory Dinner and Gala" fundraising committees and more.

Angela Marie Evans

President

Crenshaw Christian Center

As President of Crenshaw Christian Center, Inc., a multi-million dollar corporation, Angela Marie Evans is responsible for the operation of a 22,00-member church, four schools, heads a staff of more than 200 employees in 14 divisions, and chairs a broadarray of community development organizations.

Evans became President of CCC in 1996 after more than twenty years working for and with the organization. She is now responsible for all of CCC's operations, including a church sanctuary with approximately 10,000 seats, the FaithDome, which she has helped to become a Los Angeles City landmark.

Ardice Farrow 

Breakthrough Business

From her vast experience and rigorous training, Ardice Farrow has created a unique, proven and delightful system to access the joys and power of life on a moment to moment basis, a former media designer and producer, Ardice is the creative mind behind many imaginative and award winning products for Lucasfilm Learning, The Walt Disney Company, Apple Computer, Sony Entertainment and The Smithsonian Institute.

Farrow has a gift for bringing passion back into people's lives and her enthusiasm for life is contagious. She is charismatic and entertaining as she shares her approach through seminars, public speaking and writing. Farrow is transforming the lives of people across the country as they begin to make use of her playful, powerful tools and techniques.

Jill Farwell

COO

MS&L

As the MS&L's first female COO, she oversees the financial and operational management of eight domestic offices and all of Latin America. But she remains relevant to the business by maintaining her own consistent client base. Last fall, she worked directly with First Lady Maria Shriver on the "Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women and Families" boasting a roster of speakers including Oprah, Linda Ellerbee and Queen Noor of Jordan.

Jill helped make MS&L the PR agency it is today. It would not be a top-ranked worldwide agency without her influence and insight. Starting as an Account Supervisor more than two decades ago, she pitched and has been integral in retaining some of the agency's longest-standing clients (10-20+ years) that are still active and prosperous today.

Deniz Firat

Senior Media Planner

Duncan & Associates

Symbolic of the American dream, Deniz Firat left her family in Turkey to pursue a better education and life in the United States. After a difficult start, including six months of homelessness, she worked nights to pay her way through college. Rising through the ranks at Duncan & Associates, Firat was recently promoted to Senior Media Planner of the Albertson's account at Duncan.

In June of this year, Firat proudly achieved her goal of becoming an American citizen. She has not forgotten her difficult start, however, and volunteers throughout the year at a Los Angeles homeless shelter, and is a member of the National Organization of Women, NPR and PBS, among other organizations.

Debra Fischer

Bingham McCutchen, LLP

Debra Fischer, an experienced litigator specializing in employment law, co-chairs Bingham McCutchen's Labor and Employment Group. She regularly counsels employers in preventative personnel practices, including drafting personnel policies and employment agreements, conducting internal investigations, and providing educational seminars to management and employees in all areas of employment law, including sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination.

Fischer also specializes in trade secret and unfair competition issues that arise when employees change employment. She also has a personal interest in improving education for children. She has provided pro bono assistance to parents of school children seeking to obtain better and more comprehensive health education in the public schools.

Valerie Fitzgerald

CEO

ValPel Enterprises, Inc.

A trend-setting real estate practice, the operation of Valerie Fitzgerald's ValPel Enterprises at Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills North is as structured as any Fortune 500 company and has been emulated across the nation. The success of her business model is demonstrated in the numbers--averaging more than $120 million in residential real estate sales annually.

Despite running a thriving real estate business, Fitzgerald is known for her compassion and generosity of time and spirit. She is committed to philanthropic projects all over Los Angeles. from Children Uniting Nations to Big Sisters, who recognized her as Big Sister of the Year in 2002.

Melanie S. Frank

Director of Legal Affairs and Litigation 

Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.

Melanie S. Frank is the Director of Legal Affairs and Litigation for Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. Frank oversees a variety of securities, employment, patent and general litigation matters. She continues to strive to make a difference by fostering new opportunities in her community both in her individual capacity and through her membership in the American Bar Association, California Bar Association, Association of Corporate Counsel of America, and Corporate Counsel Women of Color.

Frank proudly serves on the Board of Directors for The Grove Project, an organization whose mission is to develop multi-use facilities in the Los Angeles urban community, working in conjunction with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association and community civic leaders.

Joyce Gaines

CEO

Merchant Services

Joyce Gaines co-founded United Merchant Services--an innovative merchant bank card company. The organization has been in successful operation now for the past 17 years.

Gaines and her partner started in a garage with one employee--and the company has since grown to house over 70 employees while being ranked in the top 40 of the Nilson ratings.

Nancy Gallo

Vice President of New Beauty

Guthy-Renker

Having previously served as Guthy-Renker's Vice President of Intellectual Property and Fitness Marketing, Nancy Gallo this past June took on a new challenge as the firm's Vice President of New Beauty for brands such as Sheer Cover with Leeza Gibbons, Youthful Essence with Susan Lucci and Natural Advantage with Jane Seymour--and has already made a significant impact.

She has designed and implemented her New Beauty cost savings plan which will exceed $2.8 million through 1Q06, has achieved success with a highly-profitable but challenging third party upsell program where others had given up, has increased average order value by $10 through aggressive script testing and has implemented a product customization plan across her Beauty lines which will improve customer retention and add over $1 million to the annual bottom line.

Lori Gangemi

CEO

AbilityFirst

AbilityFirst was formerly known as The Crippled Children's Society. Focused on the needs of this very special population, Lori has served as the CEO since July of 2004.

Prior to that assignment she was State Director for March of Dimes for 5 1/2 years. Lori was also an Executive Director for March of Dimes and Corporate Relations Director for American Heart Association in Texas and Washington. Lori is a graduate of Washington State University and resides in Pasadena with her husband John and adopted daughter from China.

Mona Garber

Senior Vice President of Property Management

Trammell Crow Company

Mona Garber has been the head of operations for the 5-million square foot trophy building portfolio comprising of the new 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century Plaza Towers, the Water Garden and Glendale Plaza properties since 2004

An innovative senior executive, Garber has a strong technical and practical experience in real estate asset management, achieved during a 25 year career path. Among her career highlights are performance management of a $2.25 billion higher education capital program and operational reviews for large real estate owners.

Carla Gazzolo

Regional Manager

Colliers Seeley International

Carla Gazzolo is the only female regional manager at Colliers Seeley International. She is behind many of the big time commercial real estate deals taking place at the firm. Her experience in commercial real estate includes a 23 year career with CB Richard Elis

Gazzolo was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Sports and Entertainment Commission for the City of Los Angeles. The Commission makes decisions to positively increase economic growth and tourism by specifically attracting major sports and entertainment events to Los Angeles.

Sharon Gerson

Chief Nursing Officer

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center 

Sharon Gerson, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, joined Providence Health System in 1980 as a graduate nurse. Her strong leadership, genuine concern for health needs and devotion of the highest order have established her as one of the leading nursing practitioners in Los Angeles.

Gerson is a proven business leader and has made significant improvements since joining Providence Health Systems. Under her leadership, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center has received national recognition for clinical excellence.

Karen Gilyard

Partner

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Karen Gilyard is a partner in the Cerritos office of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (AALRR) and chair of the firm's special education practice. Her successful creation of a thriving practice has led to recognition by peers, clients, and colleagues of her leadership position in the special education field. Ms. Gilyard began her career with AALRR as a law clerk in 1982 and earned partnership in 1990.

Her pro bono work includes creating the student disciplinary guidelines for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) and providing workshops to public educational institutions on student discipline, the IEP process, Section 504, behavioral intervention, and assessment of students. Her practice focuses on discrimination, student rights, student discipline, and special education actions.

Tina Gonzales

Volunteer

Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles

Tina Gonzales is the mother of a beautiful girl with severe disabilities, including epileptic seizures. Despite the hardships accompanying raising a child with this condition, Gonzales presents herself with a helpful, warm personality, a happy and successful marriage and a full time job.

Through all of this, Gonzales still finds consistent time to volunteer for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and its family programs and fundraisers. Through her initiative, awareness about epilepsy has increased in her workplace and beyond.

Jana Waring Greer

President

AIG SunAmerica Retirement Markets

Jana Waring Greer, an active community member and a United Way Woman Leader, embodies the vision and spirit of philanthropy. Although incredibly busy with her professional career providing nearly seven million Americans with retirement savings and investment products, she finds the time to assume many volunteer roles in the community.

One of Greer's remarkable accomplishments was her success leading the fundraising campaign for the College Board of Councilors of USC. This effort raised $50 million to build a 100,000 square foot research facility to house the USC Center for Computational and Experimental Genomics.

Lisa Gritzner

Vice President

Cerrell Associates

Lisa Gritzner brings more than 12 years of government, political, and public affairs experience to Cerrell Associates, Inc. As a Vice President, she is primarily responsible for Cerrell Associates' local government clients. Lisa has extensive experience handling local public policy issues and has wide-ranging expertise in numerous areas including land use and transportation, especially airports and large-scale, mixed-use developments.

Lisa joined Cerrell Associates following a six-year career in Los Angeles City government as chief of staff to Council member Cindy Miscikowski. Lisa Gritzner is a role model for women--constantly encourages women to step out and go for their dreams.

Luchy Guerra

Assistant Director of Minor League Operations

Los Angeles Dodgers 

A native of the Dominican Republic, Luchy Guerra has been an active participant in Major League Baseball's establishment of industry-wide programs to improve conditions and standards for minor league players, including mandatory English classes, cultural training, assimilation and nutritional training.

Known throughout the baseball industry as an immigration expert, Guerra has helped some of Los Angeles' greatest Latin ballplayers (including Pedro Martinez, Adrian Beltre, Raul Mondesi, Jose Offerman and Ismael Valdez) adjust to life in the United States. Many players view Guerra as a second mother as she treats them with discipline and kindness. She is now in her eleventh season with the Dodger organization.

Dee Hardison

Chairman of the Board

Research and Education Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center 

Dee Hardison is known for her long and distinguished career as a member of the Torrance City Council, serving eight of her sixteen years as the Mayor. In 2002, Hardison retired from that position due to term limits.

Since retiring, Hardison formed a coalition to respond to the imminent collapse of the County Trauma System by the ultimate closure of Harbor-UCLA Hospital. With this effort successfully behind her, Hardison has become Chairman of the Board of the Research and Education Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, leading it through a planning process resulting in an identity and name change.

Karthika Harinath

eCommerce Project Manager

The Travel Corporation, Ltd.

Karthika Harinath manages the online booking systems in the United States, Canada and Australia for Travel Corporation's Trafalgar Tours, Contiki Holidays and Insight Vacations. Her marketing savvy, coupled with her technical knowledge have made her an essential member of the Travel Corporation team.

Harinath is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company's booking engines, maintenance of the affiliate program, website reporting and management of technical projects. She also liaises with some of the biggest travel agencies in the world.

Cynthia Harnisch

Philanthropist

Harnisch is a true leader who creates a connection with everyone she is in contact with. From classroom teachers to top level donors Cynthia can articulate the life changing benefit Inner-City Arts' programs have on children while at the same time understanding the delicate nature of the organization's role in this community and the lives of our children.

Cynthia left a prestigious position in top level management at the Autry museum to take the Executive Director position of Inner-City Arts because she saw the need. She selflessly donates to Inner-City Arts not only in monetary ways but in time and energy. She exemplifies a philanthropic attitude in all areas of her life and especially at Inner-City Arts.

Maxine E. Harris

Senior Vice President

U.S. Trust

As Senior Vice President, Maxine E. Harris is U.S. Trust's Manager of the Personal Trusts and Estates Department in Los Angeles and administers complicated, sensitive accounts and serves as a member of internal oversight committees, both locally and nationally. Maxine has over 25 years fiduciary experience.

Maxine is actively involved in a number of professional and charitable organizations including Los Angeles Estate Planning Council, California State University Foundation, past board member of Hillsides Home for Children and California Council of Economic Education. She is a board member of the Organization of Women Executives (OWE) and Women's Leadership Council (WLC).

Lori Hart

Owner

About Face

Lori Hart's artistic flair and love of transforming a plain face into something extraordinary led her to start a salon out of a small duplex in West Los Angeles. The business has since grown and is now a thriving skin care and facial rejuvenation treatment spa that offers healthy alternatives to plastic surgery.

Utilizing innovative practices such as a combination of treatments that tone and oxygenate the skin, Hart has expanded her business and now has a full facial rejuvenation salon in Marina del Rey.

Laurette Hayden

Vice President of Long Form Programming

NBC-Universal

A side from her busy position as VP of Long Form Programming at NBC, Laurette Hayden is also president of the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. She is the mother of a child with epilepsy and has devoted her time to leading a parents support group and leading special fundraising events such as the organizations Valentine's Day event.

Hayden and her son participated in an epilepsy awareness outreach in Washington, D.C. She has become an invaluable member of the epilepsy community by doing such an enormous amount to increase awareness and improve the lives of those affected by the condition.

Brendal Herndon

National Account Manager

APR Consulting, Inc.

Brendal Herndon is a national account manager for APR, a full spectrum staffing solutions provider, headquartered in Diamond Bar. In her position, Herndon is responsible for the recruitment and placement of temporary staff for several corporations nationally.

Some of Herndon's accounts have more than 200 people currently working in their various facilities. Herndon takes particular pride in the relationships she has built with clients throughout the United States. In addition, APR's largest client has seen 35% increase in revenue under the watch of Herndon.

Lynn Heymont

Vice President, Human Resources, West Coast

CBS Broadcasting Inc.

Lynn Heymont has served as Vice President of HR, West Coast, for CBS since 1998. Earlier this year, she added oversight of the HR function for UPN. Her current responsibilities for CBS and UPN include the direction and administration of HR policies and procedures for both union and nonunion employees.

Heymont is also responsible for executive contract negotiations, development and execution of recruitment, training and development programs, employee relations, compensation, organizational management, diversity and compliance with state and federal legislation and labor laws.

Terri Hines

Senior Manager, Public Affairs

Nissan North America, Inc.

Terri Hines is Senior Manager of Public Affairs for Nissan North America, where she is responsible for fostering strategic alliances with community based organizations and developing corporate relations programs that reinforce her company's commitment to safety, youth and community improvement.

Additionally, Hines provides strategic direction for Nissan's corporate philanthropy, community outreach and public relations campaigns, while also managing media relations and special events that enhance her company's commitment to corporate citizenship.

Agi Hirshberg

Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Agi Hirshberg has tirelessly dedicated her life to pancreatic cancer causes through not only funding but via day to day action. Since there are no survivors of pancreatic cancer she has stepped in as the central voice in raising awareness of the devastating results of the disease, funding research to develop procedures to mitigate or cure the disease and supporting families affected by pancreatic cancer.

Established by Hirshberg, whose husband Ronald died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 54, the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing pancreatic cancer research, and providing information, resources, and support to pancreatic cancer patients and their families.

Susan Hoffman

Bingham McCutchen LLP

Susan Hoffman is a commercial litigator at Bingham McCutchen LLP with more than twenty years of experience. Her specific expertise in financial, securities and technology matters has helped clients overcome a variety of legal challenges.

Her clients include financial institutions and corporation in many different industries. In recent years she has worked on cases involving allegation of unfair business practices, violation of the securities and anti-trust laws, fraud and abuse, and breach of contract.

Linda Hollander

Owner/CEO

The Big Ladies

Linda Hollander is a small-business consultant, international speaker, and founder of the Women's Small Business Month and the Women's Small Business Expo in addition to running her custom packaging business, The Wealthy Bag Lady.

With her Small Business Expo which she founded she provides opportunities for women to come together and learn from some of the best speakers and workshop facilitators in the world. Women fly in from all over the country to be a part of this annual event. Linda also takes time out of running her thriving business to speak to women's groups and corporations around the country on the successes she has learned as well as on upcoming trends.

Janice Bryant Howroyd

Founder

ACT-1

ACT-1 Group thrives through several verticals that add value to each other to support an overall business plan. Driven by Bryant Howroyd's personal mantra, "Keep the humanity in human resources," the company follows her lead and has become one of the most highly respected and experienced staffs in the industry.

Staying true to her beliefs, Bryant Howroyd supports her company--and the communities it serves. She and the organization contribute regularly to education, entrepreneurship and economic development. Howroyd believes strongly that growing a global business is all about doing something good for the world.

Fran Inman

President

Majestic Really Foundation

In setting up the Majestic Realty Foundation, Fran Inman helped move the storied Majestic Realty Company to "active" philanthropy--moving beyond simply writing checks, however generous. The Foundation's key investment areas under Inman's direction are youth, education, family, violence prevention and health.

Inman views the Foundation as a special opportunity to apply her leadership skills and as a catalyst for community change. She works to engage leaders from all professions throughout Los Angeles to determine how the Foundation can have the most impact. In three years under Inman, the Foundation has made grants totaling more than $3.5 million to hundreds of charitable organizations.

Kelly Jackson

Volunteer Center of Los Angeles

Kelly Jackson has worked with the Volunteer Center for over five years, and has made quite an impact in those four years. She finds what is needed in the community and develops ways to ensure those needs are met. Jackson is a young executive who chairs the corporate volunteer council, advocates on behalf of and works to embrace disabled volunteers, volunteers a tremendous number of hours herself and runs the volunteer and agency department.

Under her direction, the Center refers over 5,000 volunteers and 3000 agencies. She sits on two boards and is finishing her second graduate degree. Never stressed out and always willing to help, Kelly is a rising star within the city of Los Angeles.

Pamela Jacobson

Hand In Hand & Child Development Center

Jacobson is the Executive Director of Hand In Hand, a non-profit organization offering a wide variety of therapy programs for children with special needs and their families. Pam started the organization in 1997 and converted it to a nonprofit center just two years ago.

Ten years a go as a Speech Language Pathologist at the age of 30, Jacobson saw a need in our community to address the developmental concerns of young children under one roof, in a warm and caring environment. Pam had a vision to create a center that embraced the interrelationship of all aspects of development, treating the child as a whole, while providing parents with the support to help them understand what drives their child's learning and behavior.

Sherion Johnson

Owner

Uncommon Design Accents

For the past two years, Sherion Johnson has been the proud owner of not one, but two businesses--Uncommon Design Accents and Daily Bargains Online. Developing both businesses on a shoe string budget after suffering a job layoff after an eight year career in social services, she managed to stay solvent without business loans or outside capital.

Johnson has never forgotten her inner-city roots or family ties. She owns and manages three units of residential income property, counsels and mentors low-income residents and participates in weekly community improvement meetings in her old neighborhood to promote positive change. She has also recently decided to pursue an additional career in community residential and commercial development for economically disadvantaged areas of the inner-city.

Katrina Jones

General Manager, Los Angeles Region

Equity Office

Katrina Jones is viewed as a case study for success within Equity Office. Having risen up to her current position earning several promotions since joining the firm seven years ago, she was elected Los Angeles Regional Director of Equity Office's Women in Management Network, a national career development networking, work/life balance and mentoring program. As the leader of WIMN, she is responsible for developing innovative programming and training for 40 female managers in Southern California.

Among the programs Jones has unveiled for WIMN is a gender communications training session. This training will help participants enhance their own capacities for bridging the gender gap by exploring the similarities and differences in how men and women communicate.

Susan Kaplan

Friends of the Family

Over three decades ago, Friends of the Family was established by Susan Kaplan's now deceased mother, Gloria, and as Director of the center, Kaplan continues the legacy of her mother's extraordinary work of fostering strong and self-sufficient families. A family resource center based in the Valley, nearly 8,000 children and adults will be impacted this year alone by their work. From a Young Father's program to a newly established scholarship program, Kaplan dedicates her life to proving that all families matter.

She also instills that passion, compassion and a strong and remarkably dedicated work effort within all of those who work at Friends of the Family--from those who work in the office to the therapists to the volunteers who work tirelessly to execute their annual fundraiser, Kaplan inspires and encourages with strength, grace, creativity and kindness--and no small amount of vision.

Suzanne Kayne

Kayne Eras Center

Suzanne Kayne's unbridled commitment to the Kayne Eras Center, a nonprofit organization serving learning-disabled children of all ages and adults, has provided thousands of clients with a chance to face their educational challenges and learn how to achieve their goals.

In addition to her personal generosity, she has helped secure new and ongoing donors. She also chairs an annual Golf and Tennis Tournament, which nets over $500,000. A successful real estate agent with Sotheby's International Realty in Beverly Hills, Suzanne donates 100% of her commissions to KEC. Suzanne also serves on the Boards of Directors for The Grossman Burn Center Children's Foundation and the Blue Ribbon of the Music Center, as well as sitting on the MOCA Arts Council.

Toni Erickson Knight

Founder and CEO

WorldLink

Toni Erickson Knight is founder and CEO of the full-service media sales firm WorldLink and its group of affiliate companies. Since founding the company in 1997with a staff of four specializing in the sale of direct response television time for regional cable, Knight has created one of the fastest-growing, multi-platform media sales firms in the world. In just seven years, WorldLink has organically expanded to employ nearly 70 people offering a comprehensive suite of services.

WorldLink is now the largest woman-owned business of its kind in the world. As if that doesn't take up enough of her time, Knight sits on the boards of several of the industry's preeminent organizations, such as the Hollywood & Television Society and the Electronic Retailing Association, among others.

Quinci Komachi

Senior Vice President

Duncan and Associates

As the youngest Senior Vice President at Duncan and Associate, an advertising agency, Quinci Komachi exemplifies hard work and determination. She is in charge of media planning and strategies throughout the United States for the firm's Albertson's account.

Under her direction, the multiple brands of this massive company are successfully positioned against the competition, ensuring maximized exposure for their client. Komachi is also deeply focused on the betterment of her company and its employees.

Lin W. Lan

CEO

Pacific Pioneer Insurance Group

As a first generation immigrant to the United States, Lin Lan founded Pacific Pioneer Insurance Group 25 years ago in a small 300-square-foot office. At the time, she struggled as a single mother of two small children. Through her drive and commitment to good service, Lan grew the business to what it is today, a 138 employee insurance company with five major subsidiaries.

Lan maintains strong ties to her Chinese heritage by being an active member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Taiwanese Motel Owners Association. She is also a generous philanthropist--sharing her good fortune by contributing to local women's shelters and orphanages in Mexico.

Abbe Land

Co-CEO

Los Angeles Free Clinic

As co-CEO of the Los Angeles Free Clinic, Abbe Land leads a three-site agency dedicated to providing quality health and human services to the people of Los Angeles who are uninsured, underserved and less fortunate. In addition to primary, preventive and specialty care, Clinic programs include a pro-natal program, a high-risk youth program and a dental clinic. Under Land's leadership, the Clinic provides services to nearly 80,000 patient visits per year.

Meanwhile, it should be mentioned that Land has a second job. She also serves as Mayor of the City of West Hollywood where she has been a trailblazer for tenant rights, affordable housing, economic development, social services and environmental issues. She is also a strong advocate for women's issues and issues related to civil liberties.

Debbie Laskey

Marketing Consultant

Debbie Laskey recently left her marketing position at the Foundation for the Junior Blind, where her many accomplishment included the creation of the Foundation's website which has been recognized for excellence with ten awards, the orchestration of special events, the implementation of media outreach campaigns and recommendations of grant opportunities and new donor strategies.

Since leaving the Foundation earlier this year, Laskey has continued to be active in the community as a volunteer with the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is currently working as a marketing consultant with a deep commitment to the community.

Chau Le

Senior Director

Strategic Financial Group

Chau Le manages the investment planning platform for Strategic Financial Group, a member of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. She is in charge of developing more than 100 financial representatives in Southern California. She also maintains the company's advanced education program.

Le is very involved in the community, having served as a volunteer with Five Acres Children's Guild and as a founder/donor of the Le-Hoang Scholarship Fund for Buena High School. She is also a donor to the UCLA Foundation and various UCLA Vietnamese student scholarships. In addition, Le is a contributor to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.

Lauren Leichtman

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Lauren Leichtman is a Founding Principal and CEO of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP). She has been a private equity investor since she co-founded LLCP more than twenty years ago. In addition to planning the strategic direction of the Firm, her activities include deal origination, investment due diligence, negotiation of transactions and institutional fund raising. Additionally, Ms. Leichtman is the chairperson of the Deep Value Fund's Investment Committee.

She is also an active supporter of Southwestern School of Law, as a major contributor to its campaign to renovate the Bullocks Wilshire building, as well as many other civic and philanthropic activities.

Lola Levoy

President

Beverly Hills Escrow

Lola Levoy is the president and owner of Beverly Hills Escrow, the oldest independent escrow company in America, and Beverly Hills Deferred Exchange, Inc., its in-house exchange accommodator. Levoy has been in the escrow industry for over 40 years, thirty of them as the owner of Beverly Hills Escrow. Under her leadership, the firm has shown steady growth, outpacing the California real estate market.

Levoy's professional career is only surpassed by her community involvement. She has devoted more than 35 years to the care and support to children in need, and demonstrates her commitment through her leadership and support of a broad array of children's organizations, including the Aviva Family and Children's Services for which she has been a Board member for more than 20 years.

Joan Ling

Community Corporation of Santa Monica

For some ten-plus years, Joan's leadership has positioned Community Corp as one of the premiere community-oriented, nonprofit affordable housing developers and operators. Community Corp projects are fiscally solid, architecturally award-winning, and set the standard for other community-oriented housing providers.

Joan's stellar accomplishments have neither overwhelmed her humble and gentle manner, nor undermined her intellectually astute business sense.

Darla Longo

Executive Vice President

CB Richard Ellis 

Darla Longo has participated in more than $8 billion in transactions on behalf of CB Richard Ellis, including $4.7 billion of investment sales. She entered commercial real estate over 26 years ago as one of only a handful of female sales professionals in Los Angeles--an important step for women in business.

Longo believes in living her values, not just talking about them. She devotes countless hours to charitable organizations, including Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation, Flintridge Sacred Heart, St. Bede's Financial Board and the National Charity League.

Patti Louie

Volunteers of America--Los Angeles

Patti Louie works as the CFO of VOA-LA, one of the oldest, largest, and most financially stable charities in Los Angeles. She makes sure there is enough money to pay the bills and enlarge their service offerings. VOA-LA manages 38 different social service programs, from HeadStart, Meals on Wheels, Veterans programs--basically, anything to do with the welfare of women and children.

She also was the spearheading executive brought in to re-create the Los Angeles chapter of the National Human Resources Association. Two years later, the Association is stable and growing, providing innovative professional development programs for HR professionals and other business managers and executives.

Ethel Lover

Insight

Ethel Lover is a cable television host for a Long Beach cable show called "Insight" which she has been doing for over 14 years. Over the past fourteen years she has dedicated her life to offering opportunities for other small business owners to come and share their stories on her cable show. In seeking guests for the show she looks for individuals with powerful stories to share with her viewers as well as guests who have valuable information to share.

In addition to doing the show, Ethel spent over two years as the Director of the Long Beach For You Network, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of women. In this capacity, she dedicated her life to mentoring women and connecting her members with others that could open doors for success for their personal and professional lives.

Rosemary Low

Agent

Sotheby's International Realty

Rosemary Low is a top producing agent for Sotheby's in Los Feliz, where she has worked for the last eight years. A real estate veteran with over 30 years experience, Low's extensive knowledge and deep love for architectural integrity have made her an elite professional in the real estate industry.

In addition to attaining success in real estate, Low avidly participates with the community through service. She provides an annual scholarship to a single parent with one dependent. She also counsels troubled teens. Her words of wisdom and encouragement have helped many transform from troubled adolescents to hard working and ambitious youth with hope.

Laurie Lustig-Bower

Executive Vice President

CB Richard Ellis

Laurie Lustig-Bower is the founder of CB Richard Ellis' Team Lustig-Bower, a group of ten professionals specializing in the marketing and sale of multi-family properties from the Westside to Downtown Los Angeles and the Greater San Fernando Valley.

For the past decade, Lustig-Bower has ranked among the top 3% of CBRE brokers worldwide, and is a consistent winner of company awards for top performance. She has been honored with several national industry awards. She is cofounder of the Woman's Network--a national group that helps women succeed in commercial real estate--and is an advocate for women within her own organization, and a role model to countless women in commercial real estate.

Capri Maddox

Deputy City Attorney, Wilshire Area

As Deputy City Attorney (Wilshire Area), Capri Maddox has helped make the mid-city area more inviting to new businesses and a better place to live. During the past year, she has worked to enforce the rules on quality of life issues and the laws that affect the mid-city community. As a neighborhood prosecutor, she works with local businesses to form a partnership where community goals are met and business interests are protected.

This year Maddox has worked on stopping the illegal activities of some ice cream trucks, drug selling, illegal dumping of trash, prostitution and problems at a local halfway house. She is committed to making sure that the Washington Boulevard area is revitalized and made more attractive to new businesses moving into the area.

Martha Marcon

Partner

KPMG 

Martha Marcon has enjoyed a successful 31 year career with KPMG. She is one of the most tenured female partners at the firm. Since 1984, she has worked in the LA office specializing in the insurance industry. She serves as an SEC reviewing partner for clients throughout the country. She also served for more than eight years as the firm's top technical resource on accounting and reporting matters for the insurance industry.

Not withstanding all of her professional accolades, those who have worked with Marcon will attest that her most significant and enduring contribution to the firm has been her role as a mentor. As role model, coach and counselor, Marcon has contributed in meaningful ways to the successful careers of many.

Ivelise Markovits

Founder

Penny Lane

Penny Lane is the vision of the 1960's idealism of Ivelise Markovits who launched a home for 25 at-risk teenagers that has grown into a $25 million organization serving over 1700 children and youth in Los Angeles today. Markovits' 30 year road has reaffirmed her commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of children who cannot demand support or voice their needs themselves.

Markovits and Penny Lane pioneered the concept of Transitional Housing for Emancipated Foster Youth in LA and were the first to provide a comprehensive housing program that incorporates independent living skills, job training, work assistance and mental health counseling all under one roof. She has provided many a young Angelino with a brighter future.

Vilma Martinez

Munger, Tolles & Olson

An inspiration to countless attorneys of both genders, Vilma Martinez served as President and General Counsel of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) for nine years. She started her career as a staff attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 1967. She currently serves on the Board of the National Association of Corporate Directors

Martinez served as Chairman of the University of California Board of Regents from 1984-1986, and was a member of that board from 1976-1990. Martinez chaired the Pacific Council's Study Group on Mexico and served on the advisory boards of Columbia Law School and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California. She was appointed to President Clinton's Advisory Committee on Trade Policy & Negotiations from 19941996.

Sandra McBeth

President/CEO

United International Mortgage Bank

United International Mortgage Bank, founded by Sandra McBeth, is the largest African American owned national mortgage lending bank in the United States. From its birth in 1981, UIM has developed from a tiny loan brokerage firm in a two room office in Inglewood to what is now a nationally recognized full service mortgage bank in Century City.

McBeth's company motto is "A step ahead of the industry," which UIM has managed to be. McBeth's personal attention and professional integrity have also made UIM the largest minority owned FHA and VA direct lender originating government loans in the United States.