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Dear Readers,
Orange County, while a part of the greater Southern California business world, is a distinct region with equally distinct companies and workways.

BUSINESS by LA Times STUDIOS
Director, Client Services and Systems Advertising.

Unmatched Ventures Pairs Human and Investment Capital
The company offers tech talent recruiting and has also made over 100 investments in startups

Orange County Businesses Embrace the MS&T Boom
No longer simply a niche industry, Orange County’s fast-rising modeling, simulation & training (MS&T) ecosystem appears to be no passing fad.

Out-of-the-Box AI
Innovative applications disrupt unexpected industries

‘New Business’ for the Law Business
Non-lawyers taking a stake in firms? For California, it’s not if, but when, say capital investors.

Movers & Shakers: Highlights of Recent Executive Hires and Climbs
Chris Edmonds to Head City National Bank’s Commercial and Corporate Banking

VC Roundup
SpinLaunch Closes $30-Million Round for Satellite Broadband Constellation Development

CRE Roundup
Santa Monica Office Building Trades for $40 Million

M&A Roundup
This month’s top deals from around Southern California

Community Beyond the Lens
The second annual Croatian International Film Festival focuses on synergy between filmmakers, creators and the camera-ready country

Racing to the Top
Southern California Companies Expand Across Varied Business Lines

Los Angeles’ Fastest Growing Companies
LA Times Studios presents the 30 fastest growing private companies headquartered in Los Angeles County. Firms are ranked by two-year revenue growth from 2022-2024.

How Prince St. Pizza Turned Neighborhood Culture Into National Scale
Prince St. Pizza first opened its doors in 2012 in New York City’s SoHo, founded by Frank and Dominic Morano with recipes rooted in their Sicilian heritage. Their philosophy was simple: “If you can put it on pasta, you can put it on pizza.”

Irv’s Burgers: An L.A. Legacy Poised for National Growth
The L.A. Burger Joint That’s Outvaluing In-N-Out After 79 Years

Orange County’s Fastest Growing Companies
LA Times Studios presents the 25 fastest growing private companies headquartered in Orange County. Firms are ranked by two-year revenue growth from 2022-2024.

LA Times STUDIOS OC EXECUTIVE FORUM & LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The 2025 Orange County Executive Forum & Leadership Awards took place on Friday, August 22 at Marriott Irvine Spectrum Hotel, bringing together business professionals from across the region for a day of connection, insight and celebration.

Innovating for Growth: Technology, Leadership and Talent in OC’s Next Era
Lisa Lane Cardin brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership, strategic marketing and fundraising expertise to her role at Taco Bell Foundation. Her goals include breaking down barriers to education and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

HONOREES
The 2025 OC Executive Forum & Leadership Awards proudly celebrate this year’s distinguished honorees, visionary leaders who have set the standard for excellence across Orange County.

Crystal Alvarado
Crystal Alvarado is the human resources manager at Fortra Law, where she oversees the firm’s HR operations and supports more than 60 employees across departments.

FINALISTS
The finalists for the 2025 OC Executive Forum & Leadership Awards represent the best of Orange County’s leadership community. These accomplished executives stand out for their exceptional achievements, strategic insight and ability to transform both their organizations and industries.

Jon Asher
Jon Asher, chief technology officer of Nékter Juice Bar, has revolutionized the brand’s digital capabilities, driving both customer engagement and revenue. A former aerospace analyst, he brought a data-driven mindset to the restaurant industry, leading Nékter’s early adoption of online ordering and loyalty apps.

Ommid Bavarian
As chief financial officer of Revolv3, Ommid Bavarian brings nearly 25 years of experience in finance, operations and M&A across diverse sectors including fintech, healthcare and manufacturing.

Andrea Brenholz
Andrea Brenholz, CEO and president of ATR International, is deeply committed to mentorship and community engagement across Orange County and Silicon Valley, particularly in advancing diversity in technology and staffing. She actively supports organizations such as Latinas in Tech and Hi.

Adrian S. Darmawan
I initiatives. With over 26 years of experience in technology and more than two decades in financial services, he has pioneered solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve client engagement.

Jacky Dilfer
As chief executive officer of Business Finance Capital, Jacky Dilfer brings over two decades of expertise in commercial and SBA lending to her role as a nationally recognized leader in small business finance.

Sandra Beaver
Sandra Beaver, chief financial officer for Lyra Health, joined the market leader in employer mental health benefits in June 2025. A strategic financial leader, she is strengthening Lyra’s financial infrastructure to meet surging global demand for mental health care.

Robert T. Braithwaite
Robert T. Braithwaite serves as president and chief executive officer of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where he oversees strategic growth, hospital operations and quality of care across Hoag’s expanding network.

Alex Bhathal
Alex Bhathal is the co-founder and managing partner of Revitate and RAJ Capital, where he combines leadership in private investment with a long-standing passion for sports and community development.

Cassi Hallam
Cassi Hallam is the chief marketing officer at System Pavers, where she drives brand innovation and growth strategy for one of the nation’s leading outdoor remodeling companies.

Rafael Flores
Rafael Flores is chief product officer at Treasure Data, where he leads global product strategy and innovation, advancing the company’s transformation into an AI-first enterprise platform.

Jack Hinchliffe
As chief marketing officer of Habit Burger & Grill, Jack Hinchliffe has led a bold transformation that reinvigorated the brand’s identity, cultural presence and national visibility.

Carl Fong
Carl Fong serves as chief technology and information security officer for the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), where he has dedicated over 40 years to advancing educational technology and safeguarding information systems for nearly half a million students across 628 schools.

Colleen Teresa Doherty
Colleen Teresa Doherty is the chief people officer at UST, where she brings over 25 years of experience leading global HR strategy and cultural transformation.

Michael Hunn
As chief executive officer of CalOptima Health, Michael Hunn leads one of Orange County’s largest public agencies, serving nearly a million Medi-Cal members and managing a $4-billion budget with a focus on access, equity and innovation.

Jim Metevier
As chief executive officer of Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Jim Metevier brings more than 30 years of restaurant industry experience to his role, where he has led the brand through unprecedented growth, innovation and national expansion.

Eric Lima-Gomez
Eric Lima-Gomez is vice president of people and culture at Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), where he brings over 14 years of human resources leadership across federal, healthcare, legal and nonprofit sectors.

Steve Jones
At the helm of Allied Universal, Steve Jones serves as global chairman and CEO of the world’s leading security and facility services provider, overseeing operations in more than 100 countries and partnerships with over 400 Fortune 500 companies.

Jeremy Laster
Jeremy Laster serves as the president of Rancho Mission Viejo, where he oversees the planning, development and long-term management of the 23,000-acre ranch in South Orange County.

Fernando Jimenez
Fernando Jimenez serves as the chief executive officer of RJI CPAs, where he has led the firm since 2014 through a period of significant expansion and transformation. A Southern California native with nearly three decades of experience, he brings deep expertise in ownership transitions, IRS compliance and cross-border corporate structuring.

Gary Lu
Gary Lu, CPA, is the chief financial officer of Biomerica, Inc., where he leverages over two decades of financial leadership to guide the company’s strategic growth in the global diagnostics sector.

Scott Oklin
As chief marketing officer at Visit Anaheim, Scott Oklin brings over 15 years of experience in travel, tourism, brand marketing and strategic partnerships to his role promoting one of California’s top destinations.

Sammy Perricone
As chief marketing officer of Cal Flavor Avocados, Sammy Perricone brings 25 years of experience and a deep-rooted family legacy to his leadership of the premium produce brand.

David Park
David Park serves as president of commercial banking at Axos Bank, where he brings over 20 years of banking leadership experience across Southern California’s major markets.

Linda Bondi Morrison
As the managing partner of Tressler LLP’s Orange County office, Linda Bondi Morrison has spent nearly three decades shaping both the firm’s success and the legal careers of those she mentors.

Fahmi Nahas
As global head of human resources for multiple divisions within Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Fahmi Nahas leads talent strategy for a global portfolio encompassing more than 20,000 employees. Over his 22-year career, he has driven organizational development, workforce upskilling and transformation initiatives that support business innovation and growth.

Jennifer Olson
As chief financial officer of Apriem Advisors, Jennifer Olson brings over two decades of financial expertise and leadership, including 18 years with the Orange County-based wealth management firm.

John G. Prichard
Founder and CEO of Knightsbridge Wealth Management John G. Prichard has led the independent firm for over 25 years, offering clients personalized, tax-efficient investment strategies grounded in long-term stewardship.

Ben Reynolds
Ben Reynolds is the chief financial officer at Temco Logistics, where he leads financial strategy, operational execution and commercial planning in support of the company’s rapid expansion.

Susan Rounds
Susan Rounds is the senior managing director of operations and administration at BKM Capital Partners, where she leads with a human-centric, operationally strategic approach that has redefined company culture and organizational impact.

Krishna Prasad
Krishna Prasad serves as chief strategy officer and chief information officer at UST, where he oversees the company’s global strategic direction and internal digital transformation efforts.

RJ Scaringe
RJ Scaringe is the founder and CEO of Rivian, where he has led the electric vehicle company from its inception in 2009 to its current position as a transformative force in sustainable transportation.

Hila Pooli
As general counsel at FirstTeam, Hila Pooli has led the company’s legal and risk management department since 2021, guiding litigation, compliance and strategic decision-making for the executive team and more than 2,200 agents.

Ryan Steelberg
Ryan Steelberg is the co-founder, president, CEO and chairman of Veritone, Inc., where he leads the company’s mission to build human-centered AI solutions that transform unstructured data into actionable intelligence for the public and private sectors.

Chad Smith
Chad Smith is the president and chief operating officer of Better (NASDAQ: BETR), where he leads the company’s strategic growth and operational execution as it redefines homeownership through AI-powered mortgage innovation.

Jeffrey Shieh
Jeffrey Shieh is the executive vice president, general counsel and head of business affairs at Sega of America, where he leads the company’s legal, corporate and strategic initiatives at the intersection of entertainment and technology.

Michelle Stover Smith
Michelle Stover Smith serves as general counsel and secretary of Ambry Genetics Corporation, where she oversees all legal, governance and compliance matters and leads a growing eight-person legal team.

Charles (Chuck) Schreiber
Charles “Chuck” Schreiber is the co-founder, chairman and president of KBS Realty Advisors, where he has built one of the nation’s leading commercial real estate investment firms over the past three decades. Under his leadership, KBS has completed $45.

Krishna Sudheendra
Krishna Sudheendra is the chief executive officer of UST, where he leads the global digital transformation company with a focus on scalable innovation, stakeholder value and purpose-driven growth.

Annette M. Walker
Annette M. Walker serves as president of City of Hope Orange County, where she is leading a historic effort to transform cancer care across one of the nation’s most populous counties. Since opening City of Hope’s first Orange County location in 2020, she has overseen the development of a $1.

Mark Surmanian
Mark Surmanian serves as the chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, where he leads one of the largest Boys & Girls Clubs in the nation. A former Club Kid turned nonprofit executive, he has dedicated the past 18 years to advancing youth development and community-based programming throughout Garden Grove.

Kerstin Woods
Kerstin Woods is the vice president of solutions and outbound marketing at Toshiba America Business Solutions, where she channels two decades of aerospace engineering, product development and global alliance expertise into revenue-generating marketing strategy.

Ramona Thomas
As general counsel and vice president of risk & compliance at Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, Ramona Thomas oversees the full scope of legal strategy, compliance and governance to support one of the region’s most impactful healthcare providers.

Thomas N. Vanderford, Jr.
Thomas N. Vanderford, Jr. serves as associate general counsel and executive director of litigation at Hyundai Motor America, where he has led the company’s national product litigation strategy since 1992. With over three decades of experience, he oversees trial activity across the country and has been admitted pro hac vice in more than a dozen states.

Jared M. Wolff
Jared M. Wolff is the vice chairman, chief executive officer and president of Banc of California, Inc., the largest independent bank headquartered in Los Angeles with $33 billion in assets.

Isabel Becerra
Isabel Becerra serves as president & CEO of the Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers, where she has championed health equity and access for underserved communities for over two decades. With 27 years in public health and 24 with the Coalition, she has become a leading voice in California’s healthcare advocacy landscape.

Shelly Archer
Shelly Archer is the managing partner and co-founder of 360 Destination Group (360DG), where she leads one of the nation’s top destination management companies across 18 U.S. markets. With over 30 years in the travel and events industry, she began her career aboard luxury cruise lines before founding Destination PROS in 2003.

Tom Baine
Tom Baine is the California division president of Landsea Homes, where he oversees all planning and development across one of the builder’s fastest-growing regions. With over 35 years in real estate, he has led award-winning communities across Orange County, the Inland Empire and Northern California.

NOMINEES
Business by LA Times Studios proudly recognizes the nominees whose outstanding contributions have made them worthy of distinction at the 2025 OC Executive Forum & Leadership Awards.

Peter Adderton
As founder and CEO of MobileX, Peter Adderton has spent over two decades challenging conventions in the wireless industry, launching transformative companies such as Boost Mobile, Amp’d Mobile and Digital Turbine.

Melissa Beck
Melissa Beck is the president of Anonymous Philanthropy LLC, an Orange County-based firm revolutionizing charitable giving through strategic, high-impact initiatives. With 11 years in the field and seven leading AP, she partners with ultra-successful families and foundations to amplify their giving while aligning it with personal purpose.

Letitia Berbaum
At Blue Sands Wealth, founder and wealth advisor Letitia Berbaum provides a calm, focused and strategic approach to wealth management tailored to individuals, families, women growing wealth independently and business owners preparing for transition.

April Barnes
April Barnes is the president of Vital Link, where she leads one of Orange County’s premier nonprofits focused on youth workforce development and career readiness.

Marc Blythe
Marc Blythe is the founder and president of Blythe Global Advisors (BGA), a Southern California-based consulting firm specializing in accounting, tax and financial reporting advisory services.

Dan Chmielewski
As agency principal of Madison Alexander PR, Dan Chmielewski leads the firm’s high-tech public relations and marketing strategies with more than 20 years of industry experience.

Brian Chase
Brian Chase is the managing partner and senior trial attorney at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, a nationally recognized firm based in Newport Beach specializing in auto defects, catastrophic injury, mass torts and class action litigation.

Bobbi K. Buffington
Bobbi K. Buffington is a seasoned attorney specializing in employment law and HR compliance, with extensive leadership experience as both an HR executive and in-house legal counsel.

LaVal Brewer
LaVal Brewer, president and CEO of South County Outreach, brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience to his mission of addressing hunger and homelessness in Orange County. Since joining the organization in 2019, he has led a transformative period of growth, expanding access to essential services for vulnerable families.

Dr. Pooja Bhalla
Dr. Pooja Bhalla is the chief executive officer of Illumination Foundation, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit dedicated to disrupting the cycle of homelessness across Southern California.

Pierre Bergougnan
Founder and CEO of Marque Urgent Care Pierre Bergougnan has spent the last 14 years growing one of Southern California’s top-ranked urgent care providers into a multicounty operation known for innovation and patient-centered service.

Yashina Burns
Yashina Burns serves as vice president and associate general counsel at VideoAmp, Inc., where she advises on legal strategy and compliance for the company’s advanced media measurement platform.

Jacqueline Erickson Russell
Jacqueline Erickson Russell is the founder and CEO of Social Impact Advising Group, where she leverages 15 years of philanthropic and nonprofit strategy experience to help family foundations and social sector leaders increase impact.

Pete Deutschman
As founder and chief executive officer of The Buddy Group, Pete Deutschman leads a creative technology agency dedicated to helping brands grow through innovation, data and storytelling.

Richard Douglass
Richard Douglass serves as Southern California division president of Trumark Homes, where he has led operations since 2015 and brings over three decades of experience in real estate development and homebuilding.

John Emma
John Emma is the president and founder of D’Amore Healthcare, a mental health treatment provider he launched in 2016 following a successful 20-year career in corporate finance.

Brent Daub
Brent Daub is the senior founding partner of Gilson Daub LLP, a litigation firm he established in 2011 that has since expanded from a California-focused boutique to a national practice with offices in over 20 cities across 11 states.

Stephan Jan Erkelens
Stephan Erkelens is the president, CEO and cofounder of RevHub Orange County, where he applies four decades of entrepreneurial and investment experience to drive innovation in the social enterprise sector.

Tammy Cooper
At the helm of Technologent as CEO and CFO, Tammy Cooper oversees the company’s strategic direction, financial management and talent development initiatives across its global operations.

Kristin Daher
Kristin Daher is the founder and CEO of Powerhouse+Co., a full-service communications agency recognized for its award-winning work in public relations, branding and strategy. After acquiring a legacy PR firm in 2015, she rebranded it into Powerhouse+Co.

Rocky Foroutan
Rocky Foroutan is the founder and CEO of LenderHomePage, a leading provider of AI-driven mortgage technology solutions. Since launching the company in 2003, he has transformed it from a small startup into a national platform serving thousands of mortgage professionals.

Matthew Givot
Matthew Givot is the CEO and founder of Forge, where he channels over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience into building an environment that empowers individuals to reach their fullest potential. With a philosophy rooted in discipline, resilience and personal growth, he views every setback as a recalibration point rather than a failure.

Jennifer Friend
Jennifer Friend is the chief executive officer of Project Hope Alliance, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to ending the cycle of youth homelessness.

Robb Ryan Fahrion
Robb Fahrion is the co-founder and partner of Flying V Group, a leading digital marketing and advertising agency based in California. Since launching the firm in 2016, he has scaled it into a nationally recognized agency serving clients across industries such as healthcare, technology and professional services.

Gary Howard
Gary Howard is the founder and managing partner of Howard, Kittle & Company CPAs, where he has built a 40-year career specializing in litigation support for white collar federal defense cases.

Holly Hagler
Holly Hagler serves as president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Orange County, where she leads the region’s largest nonprofit focused on nutrition and supportive services for at-risk older adults.

Tracey Hill
As chief executive officer of Child Creativity Lab, Tracey Hill leads one of Orange County’s most innovative nonprofits focused on advancing creativity and STEAM education for youth. Since joining the organization in 2020, she has led a dramatic post-pandemic transformation, tripling the budget, staff and number of children served.

Meymuna Hussein-Cattan
Meymuna Hussein-Cattan is the founder and CEO of the Tiyya Foundation, a Southern California-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and low-income immigrants through housing, employment and community integration services.

Kimberly Goll
Kimberly Goll is the president and CEO of First 5 Orange County, where she has led the organization’s evolution from a grantmaking entity into a countywide systems builder.

Madelynn Hirneise
Madelynn Hirneise is the chief executive officer of Families Forward, a leading nonprofit addressing homelessness and housing insecurity in Orange County. With 13 years at the organization, she has guided its strategic growth through a deepening affordable housing crisis, expanding services to meet the rising number of families seeking support.

Peter Hernandez
Peter Hernandez is the vice president of finance & accounting at Sovereign Healthcare, where he brings nearly three decades of experience in strategic financial leadership, operational oversight and team development.

Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson is the managing partner of Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP’s Orange County office, where he leads the firm’s Academic Institutions and Public Entity Law Practice Group.

Manna Kadar
Manna Kadar is the founder and CEO of Manna Kadar Beauty, Inc., a global beauty brand known for its “Beauty Simplified” philosophy and innovative, multi-functional products.

Stephanie Leslie
Stephanie Leslie is the co-founder and president of Regal Court Reporting, a leading California-based firm known for its precision, professionalism and commitment to traditional steno reporting.

Danielle Judd
Danielle Judd is the president and founder of FarmHouse Rescue,anonprofit dedicated to animal welfare and therapeutic support for children facing critical illness.

Dawn Maroney
As president of Alignment Health, Dawn Maroney leads the company’s operations with a focus on elevating member experience, strengthening provider relationships and driving execution across all markets.

Laura Khouri
Laura Khouri is the president and COO of Western National Property Management, where she leads operations for over 24,500 multifamily units valued at more than $8 billion across California and Nevada. With 40 years at the company, she has built WNPM into a respected industry leader known for its people-first, owner-minded approach.

Danny Mendoza
As founder and CEO of Foster Love, Danny Mendoza has led the organization from a grassroots initiative to one of the nation’s most influential nonprofits serving foster youth. Under his leadership, Foster Love supports over 155,000 children annually and, in 2024, celebrated serving its one-millionth child.

Andrea Klein
As founder and CEO of Rand Technology, Andrea Klein has spent over three decades transforming the global supply chain industry through innovation, sustainability and strategic leadership.

Ronnetta Johnson
Ronnetta Johnson is the chief executive officer of Waymakers, where she has led the organization’s expansion and impact across Orange County since 2015.

Lisa Bhathal Merage
As co-founder and managing partner of RAJ Capital and Revitate, Lisa Bhathal Merage brings two decades of leadership across private equity, consumer brands and social impact. At Revitate, she also serves as chief impact officer, where she founded the Revitate Foundation to align the firm’s philanthropic initiatives with broader impact strategies.

Debra Miller
Debra Miller is the founder and CEO of CureDuchenne, a pioneering nonprofit that has transformed the landscape of rare disease research and treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Carlos Negrete
As chief marketing officer at Tiggbee, Carlos Negrete is a creative leader and education advocate focused on dismantling barriers to career exploration for underserved students.

Matthew Mousavi
At SRS Real Estate Partners, Matthew Mousavi serves as senior managing principal and cohead of National Net Lease and West Investment Properties, where he leads one of the nation’s top-performing net lease investment teams.

Jena Minnick-Bull
For more than two decades, Jena Minnick-Bull has served as CEO and president of South Coast Conservatory, leading the award-winning dance institution that has been named “Best Dance School in Laguna Niguel” for 15 consecutive years.

Kelsey Rae Morgan
Kelsey Rae Morgan is the co-founder and CEO of EverFree, an Orange County-based nonprofit committed to ending exploitation worldwide through survivor-centered, data-driven interventions.

Antoinette Naddour
As executive director and co-founder of Veterans Legal Institute® (VLI), Antoinette Naddour leads the Tustin-based nonprofit with a mission to empower homeless and at-risk veterans through free legal services.

Ridaa Murad
As founder of Breakform Ventures, Ridaa Murad brings two decades of investment experience shaped by a global upbringing and a behavioral economics mindset. At Breakform, he identifies and backs opportunities in fragmented and dislocated markets, often through partnerships with proven operators and fund managers.

Dawn S. Reese
Dawn S. Reese serves as chief executive officer of The Wooden Floor, where she has led the organization through a period of exceptional growth and strategic innovation since joining in 2009.

Niranjan Ramsunder
Niranjan Ramsunder is the chief technology officer for UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company. With 39 years of industry experience, including 19 years at UST, he is instrumental in helping clients transform into data-driven organizations.

Vijay Krishnan Padmanabhan
As chief financial officer of UST, Vijay Krishnan Padmanabhan leads the global finance organization for the digital technology solutions firm, overseeing treasury, tax, accounting, investor relations, compliance and financial reporting.

Kelly D. Nguyen
Dr. Kelly D. Nguyen is the co-founder and CEO of DrKumo Inc., a digital health company revolutionizing Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and telehealth through secure, AI-powered solutions. Since founding the company in 2017, she has led DrKumo to secure a landmark $1.

Angie Rowe
As president and CEO of Beyond Blindness, Angie Rowe leads Orange County’s only nonprofit exclusively serving children with visual impairments and related developmental delays, transforming the organization into a regional leader.

Jenn Ryu
Jenn Ryu is the chief financial officer at RGP, where she has led a company-wide transformation of finance from a back-office function into a strategic engine for growth and innovation.

Belinda Louise Oakes
As chief financial officer of Community Preservation Partners (CPP), Belinda Louise Oakes brings nearly 30 years of finance and accounting experience, with deep expertise in the affordable housing sector.

Bryan Redington
As vice president and general counsel of Legal & Business Affairs at Innocean USA, Bryan Redington leads all legal functions for the agency’s U.S. operations, overseeing employment law, HR matters and production-related compliance for creative campaigns across print, digital and broadcast.

Robert Santana
As CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, Robert Santana has transformed the organization into one of the most expansive and impactful youth-serving nonprofits in the Pacific Region, now reaching over 10,000 young people annually across seven cities.

Madison Simm
Madison Simm is the CEO and CFO of Change Lending, a company certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to provide customized home loans. He brings over 25 years of financial services leadership to the firm’s mission of serving a diverse range of traditional and non-traditional homeowners.

Daniela Schardinger
Daniela Schardinger is the founder and CEO of ELAFY Consulting LLC, a boutique firm guiding women’s health startups through regulatory strategy and brand development to bring cutting-edge innovations to market.

Wade Slome
Wade Slome is the founder of Sidoxia Capital Management, where he brings more than 30 years of financial industry experience to a firm built on optimism, agility and a client-first investment strategy.

Gregory C. Scott
Gregory C. Scott is the president and CEO of Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC), where he leads one of the region’s most impactful nonprofits in the fight against poverty, food insecurity and economic inequality.

Luis Sandoval
Luis Sandoval is the executive director of Building Skills Partnership (BSP), where he leads statewide efforts to expand access to education, career advancement and leadership development for California’s property service workers and their families.

Susan Taylor
Since taking the helm as president and CEO of Juice It Up! in 2020, Susan Taylor has driven the brand’s transformation into a modern, growth-focused franchise system rooted in innovation, operational excellence and guest satisfaction.

Lucy Santana
Lucy Santana serves as chief executive officer of Girls Inc. of Orange County, where she has led the organization for more than 25 years and transformed it into one of the largest and most impactful affiliates in the nation.

Debora Wondercheck
As founder and CEO of the Arts & Learning Conservatory, Debora Wondercheck has spent two decades transforming arts education across Southern California through programs that now serve more than 3,800 students annually.

James Gabriel Weisberg
James Gabriel Weisberg is the chief growth officer of Cresci Labs, where he blends entrepreneurial vision with deep expertise in business development, commodities trading and financial strategy.

Jason Ye
Jason Ye, co-founder and managing partner of Beyond International, leads the Orange County-based private equity firm’s mission to democratize professionally managed real estate investments.

Jamie Viramontes
Jamie Viramontes is the founder and CEO of Konnect, an HR consultancy redefining how organizations scale people operations. With 25 years of experience across industries like healthcare, finance, retail and technology, he has led HR at major institutions including Forever 21, UCI Health, Chipotle and JPMorgan Chase.

Bart Zandbergen
Bart Zandbergen is the founder and chief executive officer of The Zandbergen Group, a namesake wealth management firm he launched in 2020 after nearly three decades guiding clients through Black Monday, the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rachel Stam Trindade
Rachel Stam Trindade serves as the chief marketing officer at FlavorCloud, where she oversees marketing and design for the company’s innovative cross-border logistics platform.

Rick Wiepking
Rick Wiepking is the chief technology officer at Orangewood Foundation, where he brings over 15 years of nonprofit IT leadership to a mission-driven organization serving youth in need.

Chikako Tyler
Chikako Tyler serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of California Bank & Trust, where she leads the bank’s financial strategy and execution across a dynamic and evolving landscape.