Women making a difference 2003 honorees.

Business Owner/CEO of the Year Award

Simone Lagomarsino President and CEO, Hawthorne Savings

During the past three and a half years that Simone Lagomarsino has been President and CEO of Hawthorne Savings, she has proven that a passionate, hard-working, values-based woman can lead a business to great financial and social accomplishments. Under her leadership, the South Bay headquartered savings and loan's assets have increased from $1.5 billion to $2.56 billion, retail branches have increased from 6 to 15 branches, and employment has increased by 36%.

While the percentage of women officers at the Bank has increased by 18.6% under Simone's leadership, she has also made it a priority to infuse Hawthorne Savings with a unique sprit of caring for the community and the world at large. Under her stewardship, employees participate in a diverse array of programs that range in scope from raising money for AIDS orphans in South Africa to educating elders against financial abuse. Since Simone was named President and CEO, Hawthorne Savings has donated over $2 million to local community non-profits.

Executive of the Year Award

Kim Ng Vice President of Baseball Operations and Assistant General Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

Serving as the Los Angeles Dodgers' Vice President and Assistant General Manager since 2001, Kim Ng has developed a reputation for having one of the sharpest and most creative minds in the world of baseball. Making strides and opening doors in a mostly male industry, she is presently one of only three women in Major League Baseball to hold such a position. She oversees trades, arbitration, roster maintenance, and contract negotiations.

Before coming to the Dodgers, Kim served as the New York Yankees Assistant General Manager where she earned a reputation as "tough and intelligent" and as a "fierce negotiator," where she, 29 at the time, was also the youngest Assistant GM in the Majors. Sports Illustrated recently named included her in their "Most Influential Minorities in Sports" list. Many sports analysts have predicted that Kim is likely to be Baseball's first female G.M.

Rising Star of the Year Award

Lisa Dolgoff Director, Keys to Successful Parenting

Active in child welfare for over a decade, Lisa Dolgoff spent the last two years founding and leading Keys to Successful Parenting, a non-profit organization committed to decreasing child abuse by teaching parents the skills needed In discipline their children nonviolently with a unique program she developed based on her own knowledge, expertise and research.

With minimal funding, Lisa launched her program with both the Los Angeles Unified School District and the LAPD. Establishing an impressive and diverse board of directors for Keys to Successful Parenting, (including prominent members of the real estate, cosmetics, film and law enforcement industries) she is currently leading the organization to expand the scope of its training programs.

Philanthropist of the Year Award

Julia Gouw Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, East West Bank

Julia Gouw is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of East West Bank, the third largest commercial bank based in Los Angeles. Julia's scope of philanthropic giving is diverse and remarkable. She established the Gouw Family Foundation--an Endowed Fund and a Scholarship Fund at the UCLA School of Medicine. She is recognized at the California Gold level of United Way's Alexis de Tocqueville Society with annual gifts of more than $100,000.

As if that weren't enough, Julia serves as a member of United Way's Gift Advisory Council, the Board of Visitors of the UCLA School of Medicine, the Board of Directors of Huntington Hospital, the Board of Governors of City Club and the Board of Overseers of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Silvia Saucedo Police Commissioner, City of Los Angeles and Attorney with Nossaman, Gunther, Knox & Elliott LLP

A practicing Attorney with the law firm Nossaman, Gunther, Knox & Elliott, Silvia Saucedo also happens to be the youngest Police Commissioner ever appointed in the City of Los Angeles. A native of Los Angeles with a remarkable track record of community service, Silvia has made it a personal mission to be an active member of the community and has consistently held its betterment as a priority.

Silvia is an inspiration to all young women in Los Angeles, particularly those who live in the poorest areas of LA and seek a role model. Her active volunteer work--from serving as a teacher's assistant for struggling children to leading various youth groups--stems back to her days as a busy student. Today she heads various committees which help her to see results in making Los Angeles a better place for everyone. Her hard work and dedication have made her successful as an attorney, as a police commissioner and as a community volunteer.

Inspiration Award

Melissa Joy Miller Student, Harvard-Westlake School

A special Inspiration Award was created this year for Melissa Joy Miller, a young woman who is truly "making a difference." This compassionate and creative 15-year-old student of Harvard-Westlake School in North Hollywood created an organization and concept called "Blankets Across America," a series of drives which provides blankets to the homeless.

With the goal of providing some warmth and comfort to the cold, tired and needy, Melissa works to encourage everyone from her classmates to elected government officials to give something back to their communities. Her devotion and commitment to the less fortunate in Los Angeles and beyond qualify her indeed as a "woman making a difference."