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Dear Reader:
This was the first year of our Orange County Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards, which recognized professionals who displayed exemplary leadership qualities within their companies and impacted change across OC communities over the past two years.

WOMEN USE NETWORKING TO DRIVE CAREER SUCCESS
Study Shows How Women Executives Are Powerful Networkers

SUPERVISOR KATRINA FOLEY SECURES FUNDING FOR LOCAL OC PROJECTS
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who serves as a director of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), shared an update on the ongoing railroad track stabilization project for a portion of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor impacted by coastal erosion

Championing Seniors in a New Era of Aging
Senior Health and Wellness are an Overpowering Force of High Expectations

OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY GRANTED $10 MILLION FOR CRISIS MOBILE UNITS ADDRESSING COUNTY’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS
Funding is awarded from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Crisis Care Mobile Units (CCMU) program

Orange County Business Council Welcomes Laureen Driscoll to Board of Directors
Laureen Driscoll, MBA, MSN, RN, NE-BC, is the Interim Chief Executive at Providence, South Division

Taxes Can Be Fun, Says CEO
Tax Relief Advocates is breaking the mold by showing the nation how to toss out any preconceived notions about taxes

The “BE MY OWN BOSS” Era for Women Has Arrived
A recent LegalZoom survey, “Women and the Boss Era Survey,” looks at the changing dynamic for women and business

UC Irvine Scientists Develop Risk Model for Hurricanes, Tropical Cyclones
Model could help countries around the world estimate storm impact and costs

Hope Lives Here: City of Hope is Orange County’s Most Advanced Cancer Care
City of Hope, a nationally ranked, top-10 cancer center and one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the country, is transforming cancer care in Orange County and beyond through its breakthrough research and treatment, leading-edge technology, precision medicine and more

OC-Based Production Company Shines Light on Women Soccer Players’ ACL Injury Epidemic in REBOUND Documentary
With a woman director and a focus on three female soccer stars, Huntington Beach-based AIM Sports Group launches “REBOUND” to shed light on preventable ACL tears

CHOC Emergency Department Honored for Exceptional Practice and Innovative Performance
The Julia and George Argyros Emergency Department at CHOC Hospital has once again been named a recipient of the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) Lantern Award

2023 OC INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN
2023 OC INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN

2023 OC INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN
The inaugural event, held on August 18 at Marriott Irvine Spectrum, kicked off with a festive reception where attendees enjoyed cocktails and a networking opportunity with numerous Orange County luminaries.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The attendees of the OC Inspirational Women's Forum and Leadership Awards were treated to inspiring words delivered by keynote speaker Annette M. Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County. Here are her condensed remarks.

Panel Discussion
Awareness to Impact – How Organizations Can Support Sustainable Progress for Women in Business

SHARED INSIGHTS from the EVENT
ON BUILDING A NETWORK AND CONNECTIONS IN A MALE-DOMINATED WORK WORLD

COMPANY EXECUTIVES: SMALL-MIDSIZE COMPANY
Company Executives: Small-Midsize Company Finalists

COMPANY EXECUTIVES: LARGE COMPANY
Company Executives: Large Company Finalists

CEO: SMALL-MIDSIZE COMPANY
CEO: Small-Midsize Company Finalists

CEO: LARGE COMPANY
CEO: Large Company Finalists

ENTREPRENEUR AND FOUNDER
Entrepreneur and Founder Finalists

NON-PROFIT: SOCIAL ADVOCACY
Non-Profit: Social Advocacy Finalists

NON-PROFIT: HEALTH & RESEARCH
Non-Profit: Health & Research Finalists

RISING STAR
Rising Star Finalists

Arianna Barrios
Through tenacity, hard work, and that can-do spirit with a smile, Arianna Barrios has become both a servant leader to her hometown, serving as Mayor Pro Tem in the City of Orange, as well as the CEO of a public relations firm she started from scratch that now has nearly 20 employees and grosses about $2 million annually.

Teresa Céspedes Alarcón
Teresa Alarcón joined Mortenson Taggart Adams LLP when the firm opened its doors in 2019 and brings over 24 years of experience in the areas of business litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and parallel administrative proceedings.

NOMINEES
On these next few pages, we present the nominees of the 2023 Orange County Inspirational Women Award in alphabetical order.

Michele Sabo Assayag
In 1996, Michele Sabo Assayag cofounded the West Coast commercial finance and creditors’ rights law firm, Assayag Mauss. As managing partner, she grew her practice into a top-tier boutique firm with lawyers admitted to practice in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Brateil Aghasi
As chief executive officer for the nonprofit organization WISEPlace, Brateil Aghasi has led the organization since 2018.

Jan Batkin
Over the summer of 2020 when the pandemic struck, Jan Batkin started workouts in the park. She gained quite a following because the gyms were closed, and most were unable to exercise inside. From there the classes grew larger, and more women joined. Eventually, the classes took place at the Los Alamitos Community Center.

Erin Borini
Erin Borini is the owner and lead provider at Skin Perfect Medical Costa Mesa. She is passionate about medical aesthetics and has been practicing for over 15 years.

Jennifer Hanscome Bermudez
Jennifer Bermudez has always believed in the transformative power of beautiful interiors. With over 20 years of experience and as a certified healthcare interior designer, she has made it her mission to create quality care environments for patients...

Letitia Berbaum
Letitia Berbaum is COO and partner/co-founder at The Zandbergen Group. She is dedicated to providing quality investment and strategic planning solutions to her clientele.

Margaret R. Bayston
In 1994, Margaret Bayston moved to Southern California from the U.K. With a background in legal advocacy and a passion for helping worthy causes and organizations, she joined the Orange County District Attorney and Victim Witness Office as a volunteer helping prepare witnesses to give testimony in domestic violence cases.

Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith
Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith’s fervor for education led her to pursue two doctoral degrees in business administration and strategic leadership from California Southern University and organizational management from Capella University

Alicia Cox
Alicia Cox, founder and CEO of Prjkt Restaurant Group, has helped redefine beachfront dining along California’s vibrant coastline. While her innovation and drive have led her to open multiple notable SoCal restaurants, and even release her own wine label, she has found her niche in creating elevated seaside dining experiences.

Katie Carpenter
Katie Carpenter has over 15 years of accounting and tax services experience. She joined the commercial real estate field after working with a myriad of real estate clients at a local CPA firm and learning the industry's challenges in accounting, billing, and taxation.

Wendy Kay Dailey
Teaming up with a like-minded passionate business partner, she co-founded a 501(c)(3) social enterprise dedicated to fighting human trafficking by empowering women escaping human trafficking to embrace their true identity and worth.

Kelly Bruno-Nelson
Kelly Bruno-Nelson brings boundless energy and inspiring ideas to her lifelong professional passion for serving vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, low-income individuals and families, and frail seniors.

Kristin Daher
Purchasing a business of any kind is no small feat, especially for a relatively young professional without previous ownership experience, but Kristin Daher did.

Jia Liu Caruso
Jia Caruso is the director of administration for Woodruff & Smart, a law firm based in Costa Mesa.

Marti Duarte
Duarte’s successful hair color career had her working at top salons in California, including eight years as a master hair colorist in the famous Jose Eber Salon of Beverly Hills.

Kari Durham
Kari Durham is senior vice president of human resources for Skyworks Solutions, Inc., a company focused on empowering the wireless networking revolution, connecting people, places, and things around the world.

Deanna Lindell Drum
Deanna Drum, Auction.com’s head of people and culture, has been a human resources professional for over 20 years. She earned her M.A. in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Tulsa and has worked for global consumer products, pharmaceutical companies, and a fintech startup before joining Auction.

Alison Edwards
Alison Edwards serves as chief executive officer of OC Human Relations Council, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit dedicated to making Orange County a better place for all people to live, work, go to school, and do business.

Jill Dominguez
When Mary’s Path, an Orange County nonprofit serving pregnant and parenting foster teens, hired Jill Dominguez as executive director and president in 2020, it gained more than a person to help them weather the pandemic.

Carol DeNembo
Carol DeNembo’s accomplishments at Mountain Mike’s Pizza are numerous and her efforts on behalf of the organization are considerable.

Jessica Hackney
Jessica Hackney, an experienced sales manager in the technology industry, has excelled in building long-lasting client relationships through trust and respect, while achieving significant business growth.

Shakoya Green Long
Shakoya Green Long is an experienced professional in behavioral health and social services, holding multiple degrees from esteemed institutions. Raised by her grandmother due to her parents' struggles with addiction, she has a deep understanding of the impact of social service.

Nycole Freer
Passionate about helping others, Nycole Freer has earned a reputation as an entrepreneur who leads with warmth, compassion, and a relentless dedication to helping others succeed.

Sue Grant
Sue Grant, a visionary, founded The Literacy Project with a passion for empowering struggling readers. Her college education in psychology fueled a desire to help troubled youth, leading to a lifelong mission of bridging the literacy gap.

Thoai Ha
Thoai Ha is the chief human resources officer at DPI Specialty Foods, a global talent & people leader with over 20 years of experience building and leading high-performing HR teams in various industries.

Deborah A. Gubernick
Deborah ("Debbie") Gubernick is a distinguished professional in intellectual property and commercial litigation, known for helping clients protect and defend their brands globally.

Madelynn Hirneise
Madelynn Hirneise is the CEO of Families Forward, an Irvine-based nonprofit focused on assisting families in housing crises. Under her leadership, Families Forward has grown to provide over 90 affordable housing units to at-risk and homeless families.

Lesley Harper
Lesley Harper is a successful and pioneering architect with a 35-year career. She holds both a master's and bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Michigan and is a licensed architect, a member of the American Institute of...

Hoda Hajirnia
Hoda Hajirnia is a prominent and successful real estate agent in California, with over a decade of industry experience. She has a strong track record of delivering top-notch services and excels in luxury homes and commercial properties.

Jessica Ann Hubbard
Jessica Hubbard's life story is one of determination and purpose. Growing up in poverty and facing challenges, she pursued education earning scholarships to the University of Florida. As a teacher, she impacted students' lives, receiving awards for her innovative teaching methods.

Hannah Hollander
As the founder and executive director of Speak Your Truth Today, Hannah Hollander embarked on her journey after leaving an abusive relationship in 2018.

Meymuna Hussein-Cattan
Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, an East African refugee, is the founder of The Tiyya Foundation, which supports refugees, immigrants, and displaced indigenous communities in Southern California. Since 2010, Tiyya has assisted over 1,000 families through housing, economic, and educational opportunities.

Linda Igarashi
Linda Igarashi, a partner at Sheppard Mullin’s Orange County office, showcases remarkable leadership in various teams and as a co-leader of the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.

Gloria Jetter Crockett
Gloria Jetter Crockett is the president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, overseeing the creation of life-changing wishes for critically ill children.

Scharrell Jackson
Scharrell Jackson, an accomplished operational and financial executive with over 25 years of corporate experience, offers clarity, confidence, and courage to ambitious leaders seeking success.

Danielle Judd
Danielle Judd's life-changing journey began in 2016 when she battled severe illness during pregnancy, bacterial meningitis, organ failure, and sepsis. This near-death experience inspired a resolve to focus on helping her community and others if she survived.

Manna Kadar
Manna Kadar is a self-made and self-funded minority mom-preneur, renowned for the fast-growing Manna Kadar Beauty family of brands, which includes Manna Kadar Cosmetics, Beauty and the Bump, Goddess by Manna Kadar, Haute Dog Luxury Pet Products, Mason Man Skincare, and Manna Kadar Luxe Bath and Body.

Adrienne Kessler
Adrienne Kessler, the CEO of Buena Park's Speech and Language Development Center since 2016, has been instrumental in revitalizing and expanding the center's services for individuals with disabilities and special needs.

Julie Laughton
Julie Laughton is a highly accomplished professional with an impressive track record of completing over 1,000 remodels and custom homes in prestigious coastal communities like Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Pasadena.

Christy Lea
Christy Lea, a litigation partner at Knobbe Martens, is a prominent figure in resolving high-stakes patent and trade secret disputes. With over two decades of experience, she represents clients in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.

Patricia Hseyoung Jun
Patricia (Trish) Jun is an accomplished lawyer with 13 years of experience in business litigation, employment law, and white-collar defense.

Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu joined UHY during the pandemic, quickly establishing herself as a reliable leader and earning a promotion to principal within one year. As a principal, she oversees the California office alongside another, Jackie Liu.

Maureen Maloof
Maureen Maloof, with a financial background and over 30 years of consulting experience, founded Uniforms For Hope, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, driven by her passion to help children. Inspired by her travels to various countries and witnessing the challenges faced by underprivileged children, she decided to act.

Heather Lewis
Heather Lewis is the chief compliance officer at Kairos Investment Management Co., a real estate firm with a significant investment portfolio. With over 17 years of experience, she ensures the firm complies with state and federal securities regulations.

Melissa Lupercio
Melissa Lupercio joined Building Skills Partnership (BSP) in July 2015 as the Orange County program coordinator, expanding programs and assisting legal permanent residents in becoming U.S. citizens.

Lina Lumme
Lina Lumme, an immigrant from Tajikistan with a strong passion for helping others, leads The Youth Center and has made significant contributions to the community.

Crystal Li
Crystal Li is a partner at UHY LLP, known for her entrepreneurial spirit and relationship-first approach to clients. With over 15 years of experience in public accounting, she specializes in IPOs, SPACs, and financial due diligence, working seamlessly across industries.

Kate Marr
Kate Marr has dedicated her 23-year career to legal services, particularly working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Nicole Mather
Nicole Mather, CEO and founder of House of Sillage, leads an haute parfumerie dedicated to redefining luxury in the fragrance industry. Their extraordinary fragrances are housed in breathtaking bottles, a testament to her creative expression and innovation.

Maáza Martin
In her tenure at Tarsus, Maáza Martin has driven marketing and strategic planning for TP-03, a key investigational drug candidate targeting Demodex blepharitis.

Vivian Mendoza
Vivian Mendoza is an accomplished business leader and marketer, currently leading the marketing and communications department at WaBa Grill. With almost nine years of experience at WaBa Grill, she has contributed significantly to the brand's success by optimizing operations, aligning marketing strategies, and driving menu innovation.

Damaris L. Medina
Damaris Medina is a shareholder and chief diversity officer at Buchalter's Los Angeles and Orange County offices. She is co-chair of the health care & life sciences practice, serving on the board of directors and chairing Women@Buchalter.

Parnaz Mehdizadeh
Parnaz “Naz” Mehdizadeh is a seasoned professional with a 25-year career in the mortgage business, excelling in both retail and wholesale as well as management roles.

Meghan Medlin
Meghan Medlin, a distinguished community leader and advocate in Orange County, has received recognition for her efforts, including being honored as a 34th District Woman of Distinction by Senator Tom Umberg and receiving awards from U.S.

Jennifer Morris
Thirteen years ago, Jennifer Morris founded Ajenda Public Relations representing around 30 restaurant and hospitality clients across the country. Under her leadership, the agency achieved notable wins, including viral PR activations for clients like MUTTS Canine Cantina and Farmer Boys, featured on major media outlets.

Jena Minnick-Bull
Jena Minnick-Bull is the CEO and founder of the South Coast Conservatory & Dance Discovery Foundation. She is a passionate educator dedicated to changing lives through the lifelong benefits of performing arts.

Karen Linh Nguyen
Karen Nguyen is a dynamic executive, entrepreneur, and educator with 15+ years of marketing leadership and business ownership experience. She is known for driving tangible and intangible growth in her ventures and as a corporate consultant.

Adriana Nieto-Sayegh
Adriana Nieto-Sayegh is an exceptional COO and clinical director at the clinic with over 30 years of experience. She oversees multiple programs and projects, showing genuine care and compassion for patients.

Kristi Oates
Kristi Oates is an accomplished tax professional with 34+ years of expertise in real estate development, construction, and financial services taxation. As the California growth strategies leader at Baker Tilly, she delivers comprehensive tax solutions to clients.

Antoinette Naddour
Antoinette Naddour, executive director and co-founder of the Veterans Legal Institute® (VLI), is committed to empowering veterans to overcome chronic homelessness through legal assistance.

Thedora Nickel
Thedora Nickel, the executive director of Change Lending LLC, has over 28 years of banking experience leading large-scale domestic and international operations, as well as client-focused service teams.

Stacey A. Olson
Stacey A. Olson is the global wellness practice area leader, regional resilience leader, and director of sustainability at Gensler. With a passion for architecture and design, her goal is to disrupt the industry's environmental impact and prioritize health and well-being.

Linda Rank
Linda Rank is a highly respected figure in the aesthetic industry with over 20 years of experience at the forefront of advancements in beauty and body treatments. Her med spa sets a new standard of excellence, offering more than just surface-level care.

Kendra Michelle Puryear
Kendra Michelle Puryear, the chief development officer at Orangewood Foundation, graduated with a degree in political science from Vanguard University in 2005, with a strong desire to make a difference.

Bonni Pomush
Bonni Pomush is the second-ever CEO of Working Wardrobes, taking the reins in 2021. She is a dynamic leader known for her passion and commitment to serving the community and its diverse industries.

Yamel Sanchez
Originally from Mexico City, Yamel Sanchez moved to the U.S. during middle school. After graduating from San Diego State University with an international business degree, she built a career in accounting, progressing from a clerk to an accounting manager across diverse industries.

Kwini Renee Reed
Kwini Reed, a Southern California native and entrepreneur, co-owns Poppy & Seed, Poppy + Rose, and Root of All Foods. With a degree in marketing from California State University, Fullerton, she has over a decade of experience in business, finance, and human resource management.

Lucy Santana
Lucy Santana's 20-plus years of leadership at Girls Inc. of Orange County have driven transformative programs for 4,500-plus economically disadvantaged girls annually.

Erin Runnion
Erin Runnion, founding director of The Joyful Child Foundation – In Memory of Samantha Runnion, leads a nonprofit dedicated to preventing crimes against children through education and empowerment.

Dawn S. Reese
Dawn S. Reese, CEO of The Wooden Floor, has been a transformative leader, driving positive change for young people and propelling the organization forward.

Jodie Saunderson
Jodie Saunderson, a seasoned HR leader with 34 years of expertise, serves as chief HR and compliance officer at Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) overseeing HR, payroll, compliance, safety, and benefits.

Pam Scamardo
Pam Scamardo, founder of TPK Properties, seized the pandemic's opportunity to launch C.R.E.A.T.E. Wealth, an educational platform for novice multi-family investors. Her leadership has transformed TPK, nearly tripling its portfolio with over 100 units syndicated across the U.

Kara Taylor
As ATTOM's marketing head, Kara Taylor leads a dynamic team driving the company's exponential data sales growth. Under her guidance, ATTOM's unique value proposition gains traction across industries, solidified by strategic M&A and widespread data availability.

Paula Steurer
Sterling PR, led by media expert and brand strategist Paula Steurer, was founded in 2008 to help clients stand out. The firm's tailored PR and marketing plans have achieved unmatched results for entrepreneurs, public figures, and brands, building enduring relationships.

Rachel Svoboda
Rachel Svoboda is a dynamic entrepreneur and CEO of Sunday Brunch Agency, the first remote female-owned marketing agency in Orange County. She also co-founded Lynxx Spirits, crafting award-winning bourbon.

Heather Van Blarcom
Heather Van Blarcom is the senior VP, legal and corporate secretary at ChromaDex, a health & nutrition products company. Leading the legal executive team, she offers exceptional support to the board of directors and skillfully manages the legal department.

Ardelle Catherine St. George
Ardelle St. George, managing partner of St. George & Carnegie Law Firm and Nautilus Global Solutions, LLC, drives business transformation for the future economy.

Lisa Yamakawa
Lisa Yamakawa is an accomplished tax partner with over 19 years of expertise in compliance and consulting, particularly for high-net-worth individuals and closely held businesses. She excels in real estate, serving residential, retail, commercial, entertainment, and service sectors.

Josephine Whitaker
Josephine Whitaker started her business, a luxury yacht rental, at the start of COVID and quickly went on to pay off her financial loan within two years. She is now purchasing her third yacht to add to the fleet.

Molly Wang
As a determined entrepreneur, Molly Wang overcame personal challenges to establish Lafonn, a thriving jewelry brand. She persevered when arriving to the U.S. in 1998 with $200.

Christina Zabat-Fran
Christina Zabat-Fran defies legal norms reshaping her role as chief legal officer at St. John Knits, which is part of the LANVIN Group, aligning her department with business needs.

Dianne Whitfield
Dianne Whitfield, chief human resources officer at Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, brings over 20 years of HR experience to her role. Under her guidance, Tarsus fostered an innovative and inclusive culture, attracting top talent.

Kimberly M. Wang
Kimberly M. Wang boasts 15 years of directing and production experience, crafting content for esteemed clients like PBS, ESPN, and MTV. Globetrotting to five continents and every U.S. state, she's captured stories of celebrated athletes, artists, and activists, as well as unsung local heroes.