(ProQuest Information and Learning: ... denotes text missing in the original.)
...rials, from nonfiction writing kits to on-line in-service programs.
Susan Crank
Chairman & CEO
The Lunada Bay Corporation, Anaheim
Crank joined the corporation as President in 1987 and
The company prides itself on providing extensive benefits, including healthcare, pension, and college education programs, to its workers and their families. The company and Crank are both active in supporting children's charities, education, and environmental fundraising. She received the Environmentalist of the Year award from the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Environmental Fund, and Crank has also been honored as one of the "10 Women Making a Difference in Orange County" by OC Metro Magazine. She works to protect the environment and to preserve the jobs of California apparel workers and serves on the Board of CommerceWest Bank and the Board of Directors of Otis College of Arts + Design, where she received the Creative Vision Award in 2004.
Ellen Darling
Partner
Snell & Wilmer, LLP, Costa Mesa
In an area of law where few female attorneys choose to practice, Darling is making a name for herself among the Southland's major corporate players. A product liability partner in the OC office of Snell & Wilmer, Darling provides counsel for top-tier clients in the automotive and pharmaceutical industries, garnering state and national recognition for verdicts earned on their behalf.
Alongside partner Hoot Gibson, Darling successfully defended Allergan, Inc. in a widely publicized trial involving BOTOX?; Snell & Wilmer's verdict was named on of the Top Defensive Verdicts for 2004 by the Daily Journal, and Darling was named to the list of "Rising Stars" by Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine. Darling served with partner Gary Wolensky as trial counsel for Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc., resulting in another successful defense.
Darling's past and present memberships include the State Bar of California, American Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association (2005 co-chair of Products Liability Section) and the Defense Research Institute.
Dayna DeVito-Fleck
Vice President
Lockton Insurance Brokers Inc., Irvine
DeVito-Fleck is an employee benefits specialist who works with companies that employ anywhere from 150 to 5,000 people. Regardless of size, she helps clients tailor high-quality insurance packages while maximizing ROI. She has been with Lockton for more than five years.
Lockton is one of the fastest-growing insurance brokerages in the U.S. It is the largest independent brokerage and is privately owned. The company was started in the 1960s in Kansas City as a home-based business-an unusual endeavor at the time.
DeVito-Fleck is a founding member of United Way's Women's Philanthropy Fund and is a trustee board member with Olive Crest. She also is the mother of 15-month-old twins.
Celina J. Doka
Partner
KPMG LLP, Costa Mesa
As an audit partner in the Orange County office, Doka leads the office's real estate audit practice. She has had 24 years of experience with KPMG, and provides accounting and auditing services for a wide variety of real estate industry clients including REITS, operating partnerships, homebuilders, developers, institutional real estate owners and advisors, hotels, and engineering and contracting firms.
Doka is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of Certified Public Accountants, as well as other professional and industry associations. She is a member and former chair of the Advisory Board for UCl's Paul Merage School of Business-Program in Real Estate Management, and is committed to other community efforts in support of academia, the arts, and women's rights. Doka serves as Finance Committee Chair for Human Options.
Holli Dorr
President
Hollister Construction Company, Anaheim
Dorr owns and operates the Anaheim-based general contracting company, which undertakes projects from minor plumbing repairs to parking lot paving to the construction of entire buildings. Dorr's ability to execute multiple projects at geographically diverse locations resulted in a renewable annual contract to perform maintenance and repairs at approximately 30 W.W. Grainger, Inc. stores in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona. Additionally Hollister Construction was awarded contracts for the relocation and remodeling of Grainger stores in SoCaI, including several in Orange County.
Dorr belongs to the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, and is on the board of directors for the WBEC-West, currently serving as Southern California Chair. She has also provided financial support and construction management services to the OC Community Housing Corporation for 10 years, and served on its board and advisory board of directors.
Among her distinctions, Dorr was named WBEC-West Supplier of the Year for 2005, Small Businessperson Finalist of the Year by the U.S. SBA, Santa Ana Office, and nominated for the NAWBO Remarkable Woman Award, 2006.
Veronica Escobedo
Director of Programs
Girls Inc. of Orange County, Costa Mesa
An integral part of the Girls Inc. team since 2002, Escobedo is responsible for coordinating the delivery of programs on topics such as teen pregnancy, drug prevention, financial literacy, college readiness and non-traditional careers for women throughout OC at K-12 schools, alternative schools, facilities for incarcerated youth, and community centers. She also oversees programs at the Girls Inc. main center in Costa Mesa.
Under her direction, Girls Inc. of Orange County has seen a growth of 67% in program services, and 80% growth in Latina communities in the past three years. The program served more than 3,500 girls in 2005, and Escobedo addresses the community's needs with professionalism, confidence and sensitivity. She has recruited a highly diverse staff to reflect the girls being served by the organization.
Rose Espinoza
Council Member, City of LaHabra
Founder, "Rosie's Garage,"LaHabra
In 1991, Espinoza sought a way to help the kids in her neighborhood to succeed at school and avoid becoming involved in the prevalent gang culture. She began by inviting several children from the local barrio to her garage for homework assistance in the afternoons. Now, "Rosie's Garage" attracts up to 35 children - the maximum the facility holds - Monday through Thursday, from after school until 6:00 p.m.
Community volunteers provide one-on-one assistance with math, reading, spelling, social studies and other areas of difficulty. Students are rewarded for improved performance with prizes and field trips ranging from skating parties to museum visits. Donated computers are available for student use and snacks are provided. Espinoza is devoted to seeing her kids succeed in spite of low-incomes, overcrowded living conditions, dangerous neighborhoods, and parents with poor English skills. In fact, Espinoza has extended garage hours from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. so parents can take advantage of both English and Spanish literacy training from ESL teacher-volunteers. During summer, Espinoza offers parenting classes.
She rearranges her own work schedule to be available during "garage hours," resuming work later in the evenings, and also uses vacation time and personal finances to help support her programs. Espinoza and her sister, Victoria Kennedy, are developing a tutoring-program for a nearby high-risk community where a landlord has donated space in a duplex for that purpose.
Debbi Frazier
Interim Managing Director
Jefferson Wells, Irvine
In her current position, Frazier leads all firm activities in the region for the highly successful Southern California business operations of Jefferson Wells, is responsible for revenue in excess of $30 million, and all profit and loss management. Frazier has been instrumental in expanding the firm's local presence with douiile-digit growth in all key performance measures.
Since Frazier joined the firm in 2003, the local SoCaI business has grown from a staff of 20 to more than 150, and the financial performance has turned around to "company top performer" status. She focuses on attracting first-rate talent, and gains client confidence by exceeding their professional service needs.
Frazier has established and grown three high successful businesses in the SoCaI area in the past 10 years. She has more than 27 years of experience in business development, orand building programs, acquisition of new markets, and performance improvement initiatives. She serves as a founding member of the Women's Philanthropy Fund of Orange County's United Way, and is a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. She has served on the Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey Board of Directors and the Children's Aid Commission for Regional Catholic Charities.
Lou Ann Frederick
CFO, Vice President, Principal
Hall & Foreman, Inc., Irvine
For the past 10 years, Frederick has been instrumental in HFI's success. As CFO, her leadership skills and analytical abilities have led to HFI's revenue increase of almost 620%, along with an employee growth rate of 440% since 1997. As one of six partners and the only woman with ownership of HFI, Frederick strives to help the firm achieve its strategic goal of being a "destination employer" that attracts and retains the best employees. Her accomplishments include increasing the annual employee education allowance, implementing an employee referral program, allocating $670,000 in employee profit sharing over the past 4 years, and launching an employee stock purchase program.
The firm has received numerous recognitions under Frederick's tenure, including CE News Magazine's "Best Civil Engineering Firm to Work For," with HFI ranked in the Top 5 for the last two years; Irvine Chamber of Commerce's "2005 Business of the Year;" 2005 City of Irvine "Family Friendly Business" for medium-sized companies; HomeAid of OC 2006 "Consultant of the Year;" and a #21 ranking on the industry authority Zweig Letter "hot 100 Firms" list.
Frederick is active in professional and community organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and Toastmasters International.
Caroline Harkins
Market President
Irwin Union Bank, FSB, Costa Mesa
Harkins is a leader within the local banking and philanthropic communities, serving Orange County and the Southern California area since 1979. Prior to joining Irwin Union Bank in 2005, she served with Comerica Bank, Imperial Bank, and Bank of the West, holding positions as senior vice president and group manager and regional vice president.
Under Harkins' leadership, Irwin Union Bank FSB opened in Costa Mesa in 2005. She assembled a team of experienced bankers well established in the OC marketplace, who have since expanded to a full service institution with specialized expertise in commercial banking and lending, real estate lending, business treasury and cash management services, and private banking services.
Harkins serves on the executive boards of the local Junior Achievement chapter and the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts. She is on the Board of Counselors for Chapman University, serves on the Investment Advisory Board for CaI Optima and is active with the Newport Mesa Assistance League.
Lisa Hatfield
Owner, Yakety Yak Wireless, Newport Beach
Hatfield opened the Fashion Island outlet of this Mesa, Ariz.-based wireless superstore in November. It's the first mall location for the budding chain of independent wireless stores, which debuted in 1999.
A 20-year veteran of sales, marketing and management positions, Hatfield grew tired of large companies that were slow to change and forgot the customer.
Yakety Yak offers a broad spectrum of wireless service from all the major providers, enabling customers to choose the service that best suits their needs. Hatfield hopes the store's prime location and word of mouth referrals will help build this showcase location that took a year to get up and running. Hatfield calls the concept the "Nordstrom of Wireless."
All Yakety Yak stores operate as independently owned and operated franchises under the Yakety Yak brand. There are currently 60 stores in 13 states.
Dr. Laura S. Hathaway
Founder and Head of School
The Pegasus School, Huntington Beach
Hathaway pursued her vision of establishing a school to serve the needs of bright children in Orange County. She started Pegasus Programs in 1979, which led to a cooperative relationship with UC Irvine to develop academically accelerated classes for middle and high school students. In 1984, The Pegasus School opened its doors to 40 preschool children, adding a grade level each year culminating in the addition of Grades in 1993.
In 2003, the non-profit school reached maximum enrollment of 550 students from culturally and socio-economically diverse backgrounds. Students' median scores fall within the 85th-99th percentile on standardized tests, and they are consistently placed in high school honors programs and attend prestigious universities.
As the school launched its $3 million Endowment Campaign, Hathaway worked to increase financial aid for gifted students; to maintain faculty at the forefront of their fields; and to provide for long-term excellence and stability of the school.
She has secured the financial support of business and family foundations, and works to maintain positive community relationships. She is a sought-after speaker and published author.
Marci Hollander
President and Co-owner
Diamond Country Escrow, Diamond Bar and Newport Beach
Hollander has owned and operated Diamond Country Escrow since 1989. The firm offers expertise in Lease Options, All Inclusive Trust Deeds, Land Contracts, REOs and Relocations.
Realizing the potential in the Orange County market, she opened her Newport Beach office two years ago. Both offices are managed by a team of dedicated, motivated escrow professionals with multi-lingual capabilities, including full-time escrow officers with complete back up staff and full-time inhouse messenger service for immediate service.
Hollander strives to keep current in this highly regulated and detailed industry, and offers the newest escrow processing system on the market today, enabling Diamond Country Escrow to provide you the fastest and most efficient service available.
Her favorite charities include The Center Stars fundraising group of the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Fashionable Women of Chapman University. Hollander recently chaired the group's "Christmas at the Ritz," raising more than $150,000 for Chapman University.
Shauna Hurst
VP, Sales Operations
Sperry Van Ness Commercial Real Estate Advisors, Irvine
Hurst began her career with Sperry Van Ness in 1997 as an office manager for the Ontario location. In nine years, she has advanced to become Vice President of Sale Operations, and manages of team of 40 people, about half of the firm's employees. This team in turn provides administrative and sales support for more than 600 commercial real estate brokers nationwide. She was individually responsible for building a team that could accommodate an immense workload - last year the brokers completed $9.5 billion in sales transactions with the support of Hurst's team, which created marketing materials, conducted research and provided other types of administrative support.
Active in the community since her college days, Hurst assembled hygiene kits and gift baskets for military trainees at Camp Pendleton, and coordinates service activities at her church. She also contributes to the Sperry Van Ness Legacy Foundation that enables non-profit organizations to become self sufficient by applying the principals of investment.
Sharon Jones
Senior VP, California Regional Manager of Business Banking and Cash Management Banco Popular, Santa Fe Springs
Jones has had a 21-year career, much of that spent in the Orange County area. At Banco Popular, she strives to make a difference every day with her positive attitude. Out of almost 2,000 employees, she was awarded the "Popular Promise Award" in February 2006 for her dedication and leadership. She also won the Southern California Leadership Award while employed at Southern California Bank in Newport Beach Jones has consistently achieved her goals and objectives in the Los Angeles and Orange County markets - she exceeded her goals by 178% in 2005 and is on track to exceed goal again in 2006.
She works closely with non-profit organizations and has been a Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Whittier. She supports CHOC Hospital cancer patients, and sponsors two children in Nicaragua and India, as well as being active in her church.
Mariam Khosravani
Executive Director
Coastline Community College Foundation, Fountain Valley
Khosravani has been a dedicated community leader in Orange County for more than 15 years. She has served as the Executive Director of the Coastline Community College Foundation since December 2001, and was active in the field of fundraising for 10 years prior to joining Coastline.
She is active in many professional, cultural, and community organizations, and is on the Board of Directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Orange County. Khosravani is also an Advisory Board Member and Past President of the Network of IranianAmerican Professionals of Orange County. In 2002 she was appointed Community Services Commissioner for the City of Irvine, where she resides.
Cynthia King
Director, Center for Entertainment and Tourism
CaI State Fullerton, Fullerton
King began her career in corporate communications at a steel mill in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. By age 25, she had earned her Ph.D. and consulted on projects for Apple Computer, Southern Living Magazine and Nickelodeon. She returned to her native Southern California to join CSUFs renowned communications program.
Determined to keep current and remain relevant as a teacher, King responded to a need expressed by OC's entertainment and tourism businesses for a more qualified workforce by creating new programs at CSUF tailored to those industries. The Center for Entertainment and Tourism serves over 400 majors and hundreds more students who take elective courses in those areas, and provides internship, job placement services, and continued learning opportunities for working professionals. The Center also works with organizations like the OC Film Commission and the Tourism Council, assisting with programming, outreach and funding efforts.
King continues to work as a communications and research consultant and has advised local businesses from start-ups to Fortune 500s like Disney. She is active in professional and industry-related organizations, volunteers as a public information officer for the Orange County Red Cross, and consults with non-profits such as the Newport Beach RIm Festival and Arts Orange County.
Debra Klein
Major Accounts
Land/America Commercial Services, Irvine
As a major accounts representative, Klein works with developers of retail, industrial, office and multi-family buildings as well as commercial brokers, investors and real estate attorneys. She consistently ranks in the Top 5 on her LA/Orange County team, and ranked #1 for new orders in June 2005. She was Rookie of the Year her first year in the business, and has offered educational seminars in her field on Cost Segregation and Private Annuity Trusts.
Klein is active in industry groups such as NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties), NAIOP YPG (Young Professionals Group), and CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women). She is also involved in community programs including the Building Block Foundation, Wise Place and the Orangewood Pals.
Nancy Marmolejo
Founder
Comadre Coaching, Atwood
Marmolejo took a decade of teaching experience and parlayed her talent for seeing the potential in others into a successful business of her own. She began on a shoestring budget in 2003, and has doubled her business each year. By 2004 she was attracting media attention with profiles in Excelsior and the Orange County Register. She started writing a blog in 2004 and has more than 1200 subscribers to her electronic newsletter that offers tips for entrepreneurs and leaders.
In 2005 her coaching business continued to expand, and Marmolejo was again profiled by the OC Register and featured as the only Latina in the Mother's Day edition of Orange Coast magazine. She appeared several times on Univision TV Network and has been featured in a number of Latina and business publications as Comadre Coaching struck a chord with viewers and readers.
Marmolejo is a popular speaker and donates hours of time and valuable products to professional organizations and non-profits to help women break down barriers and build networks for achieving personal and professional success. She is a role model for Latinas and working moms from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Linda Martinelli
President
Proforma Graphic PrintSource, Brea
Parlaying extensive experience in the printing and promotional products industry, Martinelli set out on her own "to do it better than anyone else." In 1998, she left her high profile accounts for Proforma, and has since built it into a multi-million dollar business that is still growing.
Martinelli was the first female at Proforma to qualify for the Million Dollar Club and reach MultiMillion Dollar Club status. She was elected Proforma's first female Owners Advisory Council President in July 2005. An exceptional teacher, she is a mentor to staff and peers and a frequent presenter at Proforma's regional meetings and annual conventions, sharing her strategic planning skills, creative thinking, and bold sales techniques.
Martinelli strives to run an ethical business in a competitive environment, and delights in showing clients how Proforma can help them achieve their goals as a single-source option for meeting their business needs.
Alina Melendez
Diversity & Worklife Manager
Premier Automotive Group, Irvine
Melendez develops and manages diversity initiatives and work life balance programs for the PAG brands, which include Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo. She partners with HR, Marketing/Communications, Network and Supplier Relations teams to implement objectives, and drives increased awareness of PAG brands within diverse communities. She also participates in the PAG Diversity Council.
Melendez has 15 years experience in multiple HR functions and high technical knowledge in global compensation, expatriate and relocation programs as well as recruitment, employee relations, training and organizational development. She has developed corporate global expatriate programs with an emphasis on cultural assimilation.
She is a member of numerous professional organizations and is a founding member of the National Latina Business Women Association of Orange County.
Marni Meyers
President
Model Home Source, Inc., Costa Mesa
Meyers opened Model Home Source in 1994 with one desk and a lot of energy. An A.S.I.D. interior designer, she had a vision to create a niche company specializing in creating enticing interiors for model homes in the booming California building industry. Today her company creates model home merchandising for projects from Northern California to the Mexican border. Six teams of designers and more than 30 employees design and install models in the company's newly renovated headquarters in Costa Mesa.
The company has grown every year and now is one of the top model home merchandisers in the industry, with annual revenues in excess of $12 million. The company's designs have won numerous awards, and developed a reputation for high ethical standards and outstanding personal service.
Giving back to the community is a priority, and Meyers supports HomeAid's Project Playhouse and SheepFold women's shelter.
Darlene Mitchell
Vice President and CIO
Dunn-Edwards Corporation, Los Angeles Handyman Network, Laguna Niguel
As an employee/owner of Dunn-Edwards, Mitchell led the transformation of the company's technical infrastructure, information systems and services, and informational culture. In her five years with the company, she and her team implemented SAP, made significant enhancements to the Retail Store Systems, improved and stabilized the technical infrastructure, and continue to be a strategic partner in the company's growth.
Prior to joining Dunn-Edwards, Mitchell spent four years with Ernst & Young's Advanced Development Center, later merged with Cap Gemini to form Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, which engaged a roster of high profile clients. She previously held leadership positions with HuntWesson, Gemco Stores and Ericsson Communications, and her experience in retail, manufacturing and consumer goods industries spans 25 years. Mitchell was named Information Technology Executive of the Year in 2005 by Gartner's Mid-Size Enterprise practice. She and her husband also own a Handyman-Network Franchise which employs 22 OC area residents.
Active in professional organizations, Mitchell serves on advisory boards and as a presenter at conferences and expos. She is also a volunteer for OC area charities, and participates as a subject matter expert in Enterprise Requirements Planning for Colorado University.
Susan Natland
Partner
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear, Irvine
As a partner in the leading intellectual property specialty law firm in the Western U.S., Natland handles the development and management of worldwide trademark portfolios and specializes in resolving trademark, copyright and domain name disputes. Her clients come from a diverse range of industries and worldwide locations, including prominent OC firms such as Broadcom, Epicor, and Hurley International.
A survey of her peers published in Los Angeles Magazine and Super Lawyers Magazine named Natland one of Southern California's "Rising Stars" in intellectual property law. She has also been selected to appear in the upcoming Who's Who in American Law, 14th Ed., and Who's Who of American Women, 25th Ed.
Her professional affiliations include the International Trademark Association Roundtable Committee; the Orange County Patent Law Association; and the Orange County Bar Association. She volunteers her time and expertise to organizations such as the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the AntiDefamation League, and the Surfing Industry Manufacturers Association; and she enjoys teaching at Orange Coast College, Santa Ana College, UCI Extension and Whittier Law School.
JoAnne Norton
VP of Shareholder Relations
Freedom Communications, Irvine
Since 2001, Norton has been in current position as VP of Shareholder Relations at Freedom Communications, and also serves as Adjunct Professor of Family Business Dynamics at California State University, Fullerton. She has had extensive education and training in family business issues and received her Ed. D. in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University, writing her dissertation on "An Exploration of the Relationships Between Successful Non-Family CEOs of Successful Family Businesses and the Family Owners."
Prior experience includes Director of Corporate Affairs and Shareholder Relations at Freedom; Director of Training and Director of Leadership Development at the Orange County Register; and Newspaper-in-Education Coordinator with the Community Newspaper Division.
Norton is an active participant in the Orange County community, serving on the Advisory Board for CSUFs Family Business Council and facilitating its Women's Affinity Group. She was previously on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Forum for Corporate Directors and has been named a Director Emeritus of that organization. Norton was recently installed as a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute.
Barbara Page
Co-Owner
Custom Motors Enterprises, Inc., Costa Mesa
Her automotive career began in 1984 when Page become part of the Custom Motors team, handling A/P, A/R and payroll in the accounting department. Over the next decade, she and husband Bill worked together to anticipate changes in the industry and grow the business. By 1996 they had transformed their auto repair business to include a specialty shop for hot rod cars and Cobras.
Page networked extensively to increase contacts and clients and was an integral part of the team when tragedy struck in 1999 and she was forced to take the helm at the business. While working to rehabilitate both herself and her husband from serious injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident, Page immersed herself in keeping the business going, investing her savings and tapping into her extensive contact network for service contracts. At the same time, she was caring for her mother and father-in-law until they moved into a care facility.
Her passion for cats leads her to care and feed strays, and work to place them with adopted families - she has adopted ten cats herself! Her coworkers, friends and family find her energy, strength and determination a constant source of inspiration.
Sue Parks
Founder & CEO
Walkstyles, Inc., Laguna Hills
Parks is the founder of WalkStyles, Inc., a healthy lifestyle company promoting physical wellness to professionals through walking. She has also created a device to monitor walking, and has incorporated total functionality with fashionable but discreet design and color-coordinated options.
Prior to founding her company, Parks was responsible for a multi-billion dollar business unit as Senior Vice President of Gateway, and held the #2 spot at Kinko's, overseeing the operation of 1,100 retail stores.
As founding chair of Orange County United Way's Women's Philanthropy Fund, she has helped to build and pool the resources of a dynamic group of OC's women to serve and support the least fortunate in the community. Each member contributes $10,000 or more annually along with her time and expertise. The Women's Empowerment Portfolio evolved under Parks' direction and promotes financial literacy among women and girls as a key to achieving economic success.
Michelle Pate
Vice President, New Business
Keystone Pacific Property Management, Irvine
Pate serves as the vice president of business develop for Keystone, a professional property management company headquartered in Irvine. She has more than 20 years of experience in the development and management industries.
Pate serves on the Board of Directors for HomeAid Orange County, an organization dedicated to building shelters to meet the transitional needs of the homeless population in Orange County.
Lisa Perrine
President & CEO
Cibola Systems, Inc., Santa Ana
Formerly a vice president at Cibola Systems, Perrine was appointed president in 1987. Since that time she's grown it into a full-service design and integration firm that serves the legal, medical, media and financial industries with $1.5 million in annual sales.
Perrine has become one of the most prolific builders of rooms and workplaces that help organizations achieve their objectives in a timesensitive fashion. She has fine-tuned the "Cibola Method," which begins with an innovative needs assessment process and a single point of accountability. Cibola has successfully integrated more than 1,000 audiovisual solutions for organizations that include Conde'Nast Publications, O'Melveny & Myers LLP, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and PIMCO.
A long time supporter of St. Joseph Hospital, Perrine has made generous gifts personally and through the company, including the renovation and upgrading of the technology and equipment for Zoul Auditorium, which now bears her name. She served as Chair of the Hospital Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board of Directors. She is also one of the founding members and vice chair of the Orange County United Way's Women's Philanthropy Fund, and helped create its Women's Empowerment Portfolio to promote financial literacy among girls and women.
Donna Porter
President & CEO
Coast Framing, Corona
With no real work experience or skill set, Porter responded to her circumstance in a bold and determined manner. She accepted a job in a high crime area which others had turned down, and began her career in construction. Her persistence paid off, and within four years she obtained her contractor's license, becoming one of the few women to hold an "A" license. As the mother of two small children, she accepted a very challenging position to help build 300 single family homes.
Told that she "didn't fit the mold" in an all-male industry, Porter rose to the challenge and succeeded in establishing a framing company that now employs 700-800 mostly male "hardcore" construction workers who admire her tenacity. The company is known throughout the industry for producing quality workmanship in high-end construction tracts in Southern California.
Porter founded the California Framing Association, now a statewide organization, and is proactive in implementing programs to improve safety and education in her industry. She supports many community programs, including Habitat for Humanity and HomeAid.
Keyanus Price
Executive Assistant
Trend Offset Printing, Los Alamitos
Price is a valued member of the Trend Offset Printing team, excelling in her many responsibilities as executive assistant to the President, CEO and owners of the company.
A South Orange County native, Price is a consummate volunteer in the community where she grew up. She started working with the elderly as a high school student, and in recent years she has become involved with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Breast Cancer Angels through her employer, Trend. She is a devoted aunt to her nephews and niece, and is admired for her positive and helpful attitude by her co-workers.
Jane Rady
Corporate VP, Strategic & Corporate Development
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., Santa Ana
Rady was named to her current position with AMO in April 2006, having served as Corporate VP, Strategy & Technology, from April 2002 to that time. Prior to joining AMO, Rady was a director and CEO of Integrated Genomics, Inc, as well as a consultant to that firm and others. Rady also has had experience with G.D. Searle & Co. / Monsanto in capacities including President and General Manager of Searle's international joint venture, Lorex Pharmaceuticals Ltd., VP of Corporate Licensing & Business Development and VP of Strategic Planning.
Rady joined AMO prior to its spin-off from Allergan, and became an integral part of the management team that aggressively moved to reinvigorateAMO's businesses and set the stage for growth and profitability. Rady focused on pursuing new technologies, alliances, collaborations and increasing investment in R&D (up more than 100% since 2002) to build the breadth and depth of product lines. AMO launched more than 20 new products between 2002 and 2005, and almost four years since its spin-off, AMO has far exceeded original targets.
In addition to her role at AMO, Rady serves the community as a member of the Board of Directors for the Life Sciences Industry Council of Orange County; member of the UCI Industrial Board for the School of Biomedical Engineering, and is an avid speaker at various UCI forums.
Erin Runnion
Founding Director
The Joyful Child Foundation, Westminster
The Joyful Child Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse and abduction through programs that unite and uplift communities. Runnion and her husband, Kenneth Donnelly, established the Foundation in 2002 after the abduction and murder of their five-year old daughter, Samantha Runnion. Determined to turn grief into compassionate action and purpose, Runnion is dedicated to facilitating proactive measures to address the issue of crimes against children.
Her work has been honored by The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (2003 Hope Award), The Department of Justice (Certificate of Valor), and People Magazine (2004 Heroes Among Us).
Samantha's PRIDE Community Awareness and Child Watch Program was launched in January 2004, and now has hundreds of participants actively watching thousands of children throughout Southern California. Runnion is a highly respected spokesperson for The Joyful Child Foundation, and has inspired a national dialogue about how communities can protect and enrich the lives of our children.
Sherri Scheck-Merrill
VP Sales & Marketing
Amenity Services, Inc., Orange
Scheck-Merrill's aspirations as a tennis player were dashed when knee injuries forced her to hang up her racket. The former UNLV tennis scholarship recipient and playing partner to Bill Cosby transitioned into marketing, which turned out to be a fortuitous move. With an instinctive eye for all things, she describes Amenity Services as a branding agency that markets people, places, products and things to unique channels of distribution.
Scheck-Merrill has headed campaigns for Wolfgang Puck, Ralph Lauren, Krups North America, Waring-Cuisinart and Conair. New product development is also a priority, with innovative designs in progress for Trump International, MGM-Mirage Corp., and Home Shopping Network.
An expert at multi-tasking, she recently joined the staff at Orange Coast Magazine as fashion trend columnist, and is also the owner of an export company that supplies retailers in Japan with popular U.S. products. A recent accomplishment of which she is proud involved checking into a dormitory, re-opening textbooks, and earning a certificate from Harvard along with 53 other marketing executives from around the world.
Scheck-Merrill is engaged in several personal projects, and also supports the Sergio Franchi Music Foundation, CHOC Follies, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Chapman and other causes.
Christobal Selecky
Executive Chairman
LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc., Irvine
For more than 25 years, Selecky has held leadership positions in healthcare, focusing on emerging fields including healthcare cost containment through improved quality and access. When she joined LifeMasters as President and CEO in 1996, the company had three employees and no customers, revenue or funding! Today, the company employs more than 1,000 people in seven locations; counts some of the nation's most well-respected health plans, employers, and government entities as clients; and provides dis ease management services to more than 600,000 individuals with chronic diseases. The company has raised more than $60 million in venture financing and established a successful business model in a new industry.
Selecky realized early on the need for innovation in the treatment of chronic diseases as she observed the phenomena of aging "baby boomers" coupled with issues such as obesity and sedentary lifestyles, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Her LifeMasters model saves money, creates efficiencies and raises the quality of care for patients, health plans, employers, and government entities. Selecky also spearheaded the growth of the disease management industry's professional nonprofit organization, DMAA, and has received its highest award in 2000 and 2004.
She is a widely quoted expert in the field and lectures across the nation and internationally on disease management benefits and trends. Selecky has won numerous honors, was a two-time finalist for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award, and is dedicated to her mission of improving the healthcare system.
Ardelle St. George
Managing Partner
St. George & Carnegie, Irvine
St. George is a prominent attorney specialize ing in intellectual property law who has also opened doors and shattered glass ceilings along the way. She is the first female chairperson of the Association for Corporate Growth's premier networking event, the 2005 Intergrowth Conference; the first female president of the Orange County Venture Group; general counsel to KOCE-TV; and an executive board member for the Newport Beach Forum. She was the first female corporate attorney for General Dynamics Corp.
Professionally, she has represented Fortune 100 companies in technology consortia, handled multi-million dollar software licenses and marketing, joint venture and software technology development agreements, and multi-media and Internet transactions. She developed Clients Choice - a service element of the firm - and an Intellectual Property Gallery to provide an personal perspective on the understanding of intellectual property. She launched a Strategic Conference Center that will host events to promote artists, inventors and charities.
St. George serves on the Advisory Board of OCTANe, an organization that identifies, supports and accelerates information and biomedical technology creation in Orange County. She also supports the OC Arts Council and has served on the Advisory Board of S.P.I.N. (Serving People in Need).
Ava Steaffens
President & CEO
El Puente Kidworks, Santa Ana
The mission of El Puente Community Development Corporation, known as KidWorks, is to restore at-risk neighborhoods one life at a time and to create an environment that is gang-free in which youth and families thrive in mind, body, and spirit. The vision of the organization is to be a bridge of hope for communities that need holistic transformation, economic revitalization, and educational empowerment. True to its core values, the program promotes servant leadership, empowerment, partnership, dignity, community and education.
As President, Steaffens is passionate about the power to change a single life, and cherishes the opportunity to represent an instrument of hope for Latino children, teens and their families. She promotes programs which develop individual potential and produce positive community leaders.
Steaffens earned her juris doctorate from Western State University and has practiced immigration law in the community for 18 years prior to joining Kidworks.
Gail Taggart
VP, Development & Operations
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, San Cl?mente
With expertise in the restaurant industry, commitment to her team, and successful achievements through high goals, Taggart has been instrumental in the growth and success of the San Clemente-based company. She is a key member of the Bubba Gump management team, playing a significant role in several key areas.
From choosing new sites to supervising construction to incorporating "locale flair," Taggart oversees all aspects of location opening, including restaurant and retail operations and marketing. As the senior-most woman in the organization, she is vital to the growth of the company. Her candidaje selection process, manager training evaluation and coaching procedure has led to Bubba Gump's reputation as having one of the industry's lowest turnover rates. Her efforts have helped to position Bubba Gump as an ideal industry employer.
Taggart advances the company as a caring neighbor, supporting the community through contributions and sponsorships of local charities such as SOS (Share Our Selves) and the Wetland and Wildlife Care Center.
Erica D. Thomas
Founder
Erica Dee, Corona del Mar
In June 2001, Erica Dee opened its doors and in that first year, more than doubled its projected sales volume, topping more than $1 million. Erica Dee quickly made its name as the trend-setting boutique in South Orange County because of Thomas's fashion-forward mix of up-and-coming designers. The boutique has been featured in Vogue, Lucky, and Women's Wear Daily, as well as on MTV and Fox News Style File. With sales growth averaging 10% per year, the future looks very bright.
Coinciding with its fifth anniversary, Erica Dee is expanding to a new, larger facility while retaining its original location, which will become Erica Dee Kids, devoted to moms, moms-to-be, and kids. Meanwhile, the new space will allow Thomas to offer a wider range of goods including items for the home, music, shoes, jewelry, and more clothing collections. She's also planning to open a long-anticipated men's store.
Angela Todd
Founder & President
DMG, Inc., Laguna Niguel
As founder and president of DMG since 1999, Todd specializes in pre-acquisition due diligence services, aka "the building police," saving clients hundreds of thousands of dollars by identifying deferred conditions that could devalue a property. DMG services include building inspections, Phase I reports, property condition assessments, ALTA surveys and more.
Todd is focused on her clients' highly sensitive escrow contingencies, and their expectations that her company, will move quickly and confidently to provide necessary information to facilitate solid investment decisions. She has assembled a team of engineers and contracters that reflect years of experience, highest standards and ethics, and attention to detail. DMG works with major brokerage firms and their clients ( e.g., CB Richard Ellis, Grubb & Ellis, and Lee & Associates); largest developers (e.g. Sares Regis, Panattoni, Master Development); and financial institutions (e.g. Bank of America, Wells Fargo).
Accolades include "Business of the Year" from Orange Coast College and "Shining Star in Business" from WomanSage. Todd is active in the community, supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and being an active member of her church.
Kathleen Torres
President
Total HealthCare Management, Irvine
Early in her career, Torres gained sales experience that would eventually prove useful in launching and leading her own company. After a personal experience with the workers' compensation system, Torres was inspired to learn more and hopefully improve a challenged system. She took a job in the industry and gained considerable knowledge and experience in the field, but was the victim of downsizing just prior to her 50th birthday. Taking her future in hand, she started her own company on a shoestring budget with an office, computer and desk lent to her by a friend. Sheer determination and cold-calling brought her first clients; now her $2.5 million business resides in spacious quarters and employs a staff of twelve.
Torres works to improve her services to clients, as well as to improve the workers' compensation process. She has sponsored educational seminars and is active in industry associations.
Joanie Watrous
President
Freedom Escrow, Newport Beach
Watrous founded Freedom Escrow in 1971, beginning as an escrow service specializing in new home subdivisions. She expanded with a partnership called Design Directions, a home center provider of floor and carpet upgrades for new home buyers, from 1981-84. Son Scott joined the company in 1989, and created a new marketing strategy for diversifying the escrow service.
By 1994, Freedom Escrow had moved to Fashion Island to take advantage of opportunities with local residential properties, commercial transactions, 1031 exchange transactions, refinances, relocation and REO (foreclosure) transactions. The company purchased Coast Citizens Escrow in 1995 and Escrow Consultants in 2000.
Watrous is committed to consistent, on-time performance at every stage of escrow. The company strives to know its clients in order to provide the best customized service.
Watrous sits on the Board of Advisors for the Roger C. Hobbs Institute for Real Estate Law and Environmental Studies at Chapman University, and is a member of Vistage (formerly TEC International), the world's largest CEO membership organization.
Lois Wilkerson
Director, Workforce & Economic Development, OC One-Stop Center, Westminster, Irvine, Fullerton
Throughout her 26 years with Coast Community College District, Wilkerson has served in many capacities. Beginning as a classified employee, she completed her bachelor's and master's degrees and was named Manager of Coastline Community College's JTPA program, responsible for the design and development of new programs for the college and the district. Wilkerson also pioneered the establishment of the Coastline One-Stop Center, a job resource center which provides clients with the skills and tools they need to conduct an effective job search and join or return to the workforce. For the past eight years she has served as Director of Workforce & Economic Development, including managing the One-Stop Center's Westminster and Irvine locations, the satellite Fullerton office, and the planned San Juan Capistrano location.
Wilkerson is a successful grant writer and program developer and also has created strong connections with a network of more than 100 organizations and businesses. Last year she was chosen as one of Coast Community College District's "Managers of the Year," an award that reflects her leadership, talents, and strong presence as a role model in the community.
Tanya Zabalegui
Owner
Crafts from Argentina, Long Beach
Crafts from Argentina is a whosesaler and on-line retailer of handmade glass art. The business employs 10 artisans in Argentina, as well as a number of local staff. After receiving a unique wedding gift from Argentina, Zabalegui took her 15 years of corporate marketing experience and opened her own company. She has extensive networking experience, and her clients include Airport Gift Shops in Arizona, and a number of art galleries and museums. Her corporate culture is focused on quality customer service and a strong community focus.
Zabalegui's activities include marketing chair and board member for the National Latina Business Women Association, Orange County Chapter, and volunteer for organizations such as the San Clemente Downtown Business Association and Comadres Para Las Americas-OC. She is a speaker on marketing and e-commerce topics and has received numerous honors and awards.
Lynda Zadra-Symes
Partner, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear, Irvine
Zadra-Symes specializes in intellectual property litigation and is an expert in trademark, copyright, Internet and entertainment law as well as intellectual property rights of publicity, licensing and trade secrets. Her notable representative matters include a recently obtained judgment in a significant trademark case surrounding the upcoming 2008 U.S. Open Championships and the question of "exclusive rights" to the name "Torrey Pines." With an impressive resume of major litigation wins, Zadra-Symes serves as a Domain Name Dispute Panelist arbitrator for the World Intellectual Property Organization and is cochair of the International Bar Association committee for Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law.
Zadra-Symes was called to the Bar of England and Wales as a barrister in 1989, and admitted to the California Bar in 1991. She has presented internationally on a variety of international property matters.