President
City of Hope Orange County

Annette M. Walker is a highly influential healthcare leader who is deeply committed to transforming U.S. healthcare, working tirelessly toward a sweeping national vision that never loses sight of patients and their families.

Walker has gained a national reputation for her industry-changing insights, outstanding leadership, and keen abilities to bring people together and achieve extraordinary results. A champion of sponsorship and mentorship she has guided thousands, especially women leaders. She believes this is her way of "paying it forward" for a successful and fulfilling career. She is an authentic leader who encourages those she leads to bring their whole true selves to work – and encourages others to take risks.

Her storied career is highlighted by the recent opening of a major national cancer research and treatment center, which is groundbreaking for the region’s only specialty cancer hospital and decades of influential leadership and sponsorship.

Walker opened City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center – a national model for how people with cancer receive care – on time and on budget, despite the challenges of designing and building during a pandemic. The cancer center, located in one of the country’s biggest technology innovation communities, is a pivotal piece of the strategy and vision she developed when recruited to become president of City of Hope Orange County.

Walker’s vision and business case were ambitious and comprehensive: a leading-edge comprehensive cancer research and treatment center, a specialty cancer hospital, and a large network of regional clinics. The cancer hospital – the only hospital in Orange County exclusively dedicated to treating and curing cancer – is now under construction and will open in 2025.

As president of City of Hope Orange County, Walker is increasing City of Hope’s patient facilities and research capacity by a staggering 140% and leading its $1 billion investment in Orange County.

Walker understands the urgency of her work. Before City of Hope came to Orange County, up to 20% of people with cancer left the county for advanced cancer care, many commuting long hours in traffic to receive the treatments.

Non-Profit: Health & Research Finalists

Allyson Brooks M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Ginny Ueberroth Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair and Chief Quality Officer, Hoag Women’s Health Institute
Hoag

Dr. Allyson Brooks is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist who retired from clinical practice in 2014 after 21 years in private practice in Newport Beach. During her clinical practice, she delivered over 2,000 babies, provided comprehensive and compassionate health care to women of all life stages and from ages 12 through 92, performed over 1,000 minimally invasive gynecologic surgical procedures, and received Most Compassionate and Best Doctor awards.

Dr. Brooks has an extensive background in leadership at Hoag since joining the medical staff in 1993. In addition to her three-year term on the Medical Executive Committee and as chair of the department of OB/GYN, she served on the Hoag Board of Trustees for six years, including being chair of the Quality Improvement Committee of the Board for four years.

Mara James

Founder & CEO
Extraordinary Lives Foundation

Mara James, founder of the Extraordinary Lives Foundation, aims to inspire and empower the world to heal during times of suffering. Bridging the gap between mental health professionals and holistic healers, she transforms lives through her nonprofit work. Having faced her own struggles with bipolar disorder, she turned her experiences into an opportunity to help others, particularly families with young children. As a mental health thought leader, James hosts the podcast “Let's Talk Wellness,” engaging medical professionals and holistic healers in weekly interviews. She is also an author and created the character Piggie Bear to enhance children's social-emotional learning. Her upcoming book, “Unconditional,” focuses on heart-centered parenting and will be published in mid-2023. Through the Extraordinary Lives Foundation, James collaborates with like-minded individuals and organizations to spread healing globally.

Debra Miller

Founder & CEO
CureDuchenne

CureDuchenne, led by CEO Debra Miller, is at the forefront of research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease. Through a unique venture philanthropy model, CureDuchenne has funded transformative therapies and clinical trials, increasing life expectancy by 10 years. Their portfolio includes dystrophin-restoring and anti-inflammatory approaches. Miller's dedication and leadership have driven $25 million in research investments, attracting nearly $3 billion in follow-on funding. With a pivotal gene therapy on the horizon, she remains committed to finding a cure for all affected individuals. CureDuchenne provides crucial support to families, hosts informational sessions, and founded the CureDuchenne Link Biobank. Miller's tireless fundraising efforts, including the Getzlaf Golf Shootout and Napa in Newport, have raised millions for research and therapies. As CureDuchenne marks its 20th year, her vision and impact continue to make a difference.

Cristol Barrett O'Loughlin

Founder & CEO
ANGEL AID

Cristol Barrett O’Loughlin is the founder & CEO of ANGEL AID CARES, dedicated to providing social, emotional, physical, and financial relief to the global community of 350 million families caring for children with rare genetic diseases. ANGEL AID funds rare disease research and focuses on mental health support for caregivers, patients, and professionals. O’Loughlin and her team offer weekly support groups and transformative wellness retreats from Barrett Family Ranch in Orange County, California. With a background in advertising and a tenure at IBM Life Sciences, she partners with global brands and advocates for whole family mental health. Her personal experience of losing three brothers to a rare genetic disease motivates her to ease the burden on Raregivers™, primarily mothers, who face isolation and medical uncertainty. ANGEL AID's mission is to shine a light on these families and provide much-needed relief and support.

Angie Rowe

President & CEO
Beyond Blindness

Angie Rowe, president and executive director at Beyond Blindness, has 25 years of experience leading successful nonprofit initiatives, driving revenue and donor growth, and ensuring programmatic and operational excellence. Prior to Beyond Blindness, she served as interim executive director at Global Genes and event and program director at the OC Marathon. Rowe is an active member of several important organizations, including the California Association of Private Special Education Schools (CAPSES) Board of Directors, California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CAABVI), and Orange County Disability Collaborative. She is also a valued member of the OneOC Non-Profit Advisory Council. Her educational achievements include a Master of Science in public policy, a certificate in industrial systems engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in environmental resource management from Penn State University.

Michelle Gwen Wulfestieg

Executive Director
Southern California Hospice Foundation

Michelle Wulfestieg, a two-time stroke survivor and executive director of Southern California Hospice Foundation (SCHF), embodies the power of resilience. Despite permanent paralysis, she transformed SCHF from a startup into a multimillion-dollar organization, aiding over 7,000 patients. Her leadership addresses diverse needs from essentials to fulfilling final wishes, often collaborating with celebrities. Wulfestieg’s paramount achievement, "The Heavenly Home," Orange County's nonprofit end-of-life care facility, offers 24-hour care for the terminally ill, ensuring no one dies alone. Honored as the Outstanding Founder for Orange County's National Philanthropy Day, her memoir "All We Have Is Today," her advocacy, and docuseries "Time of Death" underscore her remarkable impact.