The 22nd Annual NAWBO-LA: Leadership and Legacy Awards Luncheon.

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The National Association of Women Business Owners--Los Angeles (NAWBO-LA) gave tribute to top achieving women entrepreneurs at their Annual Leadership & Legacy Awards Luncheon on Friday, March 14, 2008 at the Beverly Hilton. Each of the honorees epitomized the theme of NAWBO-LA: RISING in that they have not only risen above their own circumstances, they are rising to the occasion every day as leaders and are raising the bar as stewards of a future above and beyond

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Mimi Song

Presiden/CEO

Superior Grocers

The Leadership Award recognizes an exemplary woman entrepreneur who demonstrates her leadership skills by example, is committed to entrepreneurial excellence and has achieved success well beyond the standards of her industry and the business community. Mimi Song is the President and CEO of Superior Grocers--the largest independently-owned chain of grocery stores in Southern California. For over 26 years, Superior has provided low-cost quality products, exceptional customer service and thousands of community jobs. Mimi's success is exemplified by her investment in the growth and advancement of her 5000 employees and her leadership is best displayed in the way she gives back to the local communities that she serves. Mimi's entrepreneurial spirit empowers her to raise the bar for her own success. By the end of 2008, Superior will operate more than 30 gores, and aims to move over the $1 billion mark!

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LEGACY AWARD

Renee White Fraser, Ph.D.

President/CEO

Fraser Communications

The Legacy Award recognizes an individual who has had a significant impact on the well-being of her community and who has had the foresight and generosity to recognize that their success is best savored when they "pay it forward." Renee White Fraser is the President/CEO of Fraser Communications and owns the largest woman-owned ad agency in Southern California. As past president of NAWBO-LA and past chair of the Enterprise institute, Renee has taught us to embrace the philosophy that the best way to repay what others have done for us ... is to do something for someone else. Renee effectively leverages her business success with her commitment to giving back and is a role model for others to follow. Here at NAWBO-LA, Renee Fraser is someone that epitomizes the true spirit of legacy ... She calls on us to rise to the occasion and be a part of something bigger ... and make a difference for others.

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CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Southern California Edison

Represented by Lynda Ziegler,

Sr. Vice President of Customer Service

The Corporate Partner of the Year Award recognizes a corporate member that has proven their commitment to NAWBO-LA and women business owners through their long-standing organizational commitment and investment. Southern California Edison--the 2008 NAWBO-LA Corporate Partner of the Year--shines brightly as an "energy company of the future." Edison strongly supports diversity in its management ranks; continually expands contracting opportunities for women, minority and disabled-veteran enterprises (WMDVBE); and serves as an environmental steward through innovative programs that support a better qualify of life throughout the region. Lynda Ziegler is Senior Vice President of the Customer Service business unit at Edison and is responsible for customer services to SCE's 4.7 million customers. Lynda supports SCE's Women's Roundtable and serves on the board of directors of Leadership California where she helps develop an energy industry women's network.

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ADVOCATE AWARD

Maria Contreras-Sweet

Founder/Chairwoman

PROMERICA Bank

The Advocate Award recognizes a leader who demonstrates a strong commitment to propelling women into economic, social and/or political spheres of power and is dedicated to the creation of a greater society for all. Maria Contreras-Sweet is a woman of keen vision and remarkable accomplishments. Recently, Maria demonstrated her powerful leadership skills as she became the Founding Chairwoman of PROMERICA Bank--the first Latino-owned business bank in California in more than three decades. In its first year of operation, PROMERICA Bank grew 100%, already helping to establish additional wealth and creating a more financially knowledgeable community. As the first-ever Latina Cabinet Secretary, Maria effectively demonstrated her commitment to community service during her tenure in state government. Maria was a founding board member of The California Endowment; founded H.O.P.E.; and serves on numerous boards that allow her to affect policy and to promote prosperous communities.

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INSPIRATION AWARD

Gisselle Acevedo

CEP/President

Para Los Ninos

The Inspiration Award recognizes someone who has made a tremendous impact on those around her and serves as a true role model for others to follow. Gisselle Acevedo is the CEO/President of Para Los Ninos--a non-profit organization that serves 3,500 children a day through seven preschools, a charter school, a mental health center, a teen center, 14 after-school programs, a family preservation/service unit, and youth workforce development and investment program. Whether on her knees engaging in quiet conversation with even the littlest client, or holding forth with civic and corporate leaders, Gisselle's message is consistent, clear and sincere ... Working together, we have the ability to unlock the potential within every young mind and lift up each child out of poverty onto a brighter, more successful future.

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RISING STAR AWARD

Natalie Cole

CEO/Publisher

Our Weekly Newspaper

The Rising Star is a woman entrepreneur who has established a critical milestone in her business and has displayed high potential for enduring entrepreneurial success. Natalie Cole is the Publisher and CEO of Our Weekly Newspaper--a publication that directly addresses the topics and issues relevant to her community and serves as an oasis for learning and entertaining while providing for voices within that community to be heard. Our Weekly is the largest verified distribution paper in the African American community in Southern California, with 50,000 copies distributed each Thursday, of which 30,000 are delivered door-to-door and 20,000 are distributed commercially. Natalie's success comes from her ability to recognize and seize the opportunity to fill a much needed void in the African American community and her commitment to excellence.

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2008 NAWBO-LA HALL OF FAME

NAWBO-LA inducts women business owners into its Hall of Fame who have demonstrated significant business success over time and have given back extensively to the community. This year, we celebrate the depth and the breadth of the diversity and success of our honorees and proudly induct three extraordinary women into the NAWBO-LA Hall of Fame.

Marilyn Lewis

Founder

Kate Mantilini & Gardens on Glendon

A truly original and free spirit, Marilyn Lewis brings color, creativity and vision into everything that she touches. Her life journey is filled with a never-ending commitment to teaching and passing on the lessons that she has learned throughout her life. In the 50's Marilyn founded the extraordinarily successful Hamburger Hamlet chain where she empowered African-American women into the mainstream workplace; and in the 60's she launched the highly acclaimed Cardinali design label. After the sale of Hamburger Hamlet in 1987, Marilyn and her husband have since opened two Kate Mantilini restaurants and Gardens on Glendon.

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Mary Ann Mitchell

President/CEO

CC-OPS, Inc.

Mary Ann Mitchell is the President and CEO of CC-Ops, Inc.--a $40-million plus business with a stellar reputation among its clients for providing enterprise IT solutions. Mary Ann is also Chair of the National Black Business Council and the Institute of the National Black Business that supports over 75,000 business members and consumers to facilitate the growth of minority businesses, support urban economic development and improve the financial literacy of underserved youth. Mary Ann believes that people are the most important asset of any business and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of the next generation.

Valerie Red-Horse

President/Founder

Red-Horse Native Productions

Valerie Red-Horse heads the Tribal Finance and Asset Management Division of Western International Securities and serves as President of Red-Horse Financial Group, her own financial services holding company. Valerie has been engaged on over fifty tribal financings totaling over $2 billion in transactions. Valerie is also the founder and president of Red-Horse Native Productions which focuses on portraying the stories of Native Americans from their own perspectives. Valerie's drive and ambition--and desire to give back to the Native American community--has led her to follow a entrepreneurial path that few before had traveled.

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