CEO OF THE YEAR
GALEN CALLAHAN
FINALIST
Founder and President
805escrow
Galen Callahan is a role model for female entrepreneurship, business acumen and mastering work-life balance. Not only is she the founder and president of 805escrow and a former highly successful realtor, she has achieved all of this while raising six children and giving back to her profession and community.
Under Callahan’s leadership, 805escrow has gained recognition as one of the region’s premier escrow companies, providing escrow services tailored to luxury clients all throughout Southern California. Callahan’s almost two-decades of experience in real estate transactions and escrow services have allowed her to grow 805escrow’s reach and reputation far beyond the boundaries of the 805 area code.
LAUREL MINTZ
FINALIST
Founder & CEO
Elevate My Brand
Laurel Mintz J.D., MBA is the chief executive officer and founder of award-winning marketing agency Elevate My Brand, serving both startups and blue chip global brands like Facebook, Verizon Digital Media Group, PAW Patrol, and Zendesk. Mintz’s gift is connecting with people and their stories.
Using her experience working with more than 200 companies in the CPG and technology spaces, Mintz also launched Fabric VC in 2022 to weave together diverse founders with the funding they need and deserve. Fabric VC focuses especially on equity and inclusion in the VC world.
ILIANA TAVERA
FINALIST
CEO
Haven Hills since 2015, Iliana Tavera has led one of the largest domestic violence (DV) agencies in Los Angeles County. Established in 1977, Haven Hills started its Crisis Line and Outreach Program to provide DV Survivors with emergency intervention, safety planning and access to resources and referrals. In 1980, Haven Hills opened a 30-Day Crisis Shelter for the many survivors who accessed the Crisis Line or counseling but had no safe place to go.
Tavera has navigated the complexities of leading an organization dedicated to supporting survivors while striving to implement innovative programs that address the complex needs of survivors and their children.
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
ALLISON CARROLL
FINALIST
Design Director
Nadia Geller Designs
Allison Carroll, a leader in the interior design industry, is the design director for Nadia Geller Designs (NGD), an interior design firm launched by interior designer and media personality Nadia Geller. The firm boasts full-service expertise and works with leading developers and architectural firms like Cityview, AO, KTGY, AC Martin, Greystar, and other Southern California-based AEC firms.
Carroll’s experience in the world of arts has shaped the way she views interior design. Through her robust career and experience in creating immersive spaces, Carroll has developed an innate sense of confidence in her ideas. Her philosophy is‚ “if you believe it, then others will, too.”
LAUREN CORUGEDO
FINALIST
Head of Marketing
Chef Merito
Lauren Corugedo is a veteran marketer with experience across CPG, food and Latino culture. For more than 13 years, she has supported Los Angeles-born and legacy brand Chef Merito tap into target audiences, build promotional partnerships, and grow across new markets and distribution platforms.
In her current role, Corugedo over-sees all branding and marketing efforts for the tri-generational Latino food brand including its social media, strategic partnerships and live promotions (especially with its growing number of supermarket partners) and community programming. In the past year she positioned Chef Merito as the market leader in carne asada.
ADI LIVYATAN
FINALIST
Real Estate Salesperson Associate
Rodeo Realty, Inc. – The Livyatan Group
Adi Livyatan is a luxury home specialist, one of the country’s top realtors and one of the most accomplished and respected agents in Southern California. With sales over $300 million per year, Livyatan is in the top 1% of all agents nationwide.
Livyatan is not only the number one ranked agent in the Rodeo Realty Sherman Oaks office, but she is also the top producing agent in all of the San Fernando Valley. Exceptionally well respected, Livyatan has represented hundreds of buyers and sellers in various price ranges. She is one of the very top agents specializing in the development and new construction.
LARA SAAB
FINALIST
Managing Director, CBRE
Property Management, Greater Los Angeles
CBRE
With an impressive 20-year career trajectory, managing director Lara Saab is the market leader of CBRE Property Management for the Greater Los Angeles area. In her role, Saab is entrusted with the development and execution of strategic initiatives, as well as providing day-to-day guidance for over 30 million square feet of office, industrial and retail properties managed by the company on behalf of building owners and investors.
Saab plays an integral role in the CBRE Los Angeles leadership team, overseeing business expansion, nurturing relationships with more than 40 clients, and supervising a workforce of 150 employees.
CHAMPION OF WOMEN
RITA BOCCUZZI
CEO
Flourish Inc.
Rita Boccuzzi is known by her colleagues as the type of woman who goes above and beyond to make sure that anyone who needs her help is well taken care of. Whether that be by connecting them to the right person, having a supportive conversation, or mentoring during her free time, Boccuzzi is the most incredible example of what it means to be a Champion of Women.
Boccuzzi’s primary focus is financial education and empowerment in order to elevate her community, with a special focus on women so that they can educate their families and friends. She believes that a financially educated society is an elevated society and she absolutely practices what she preaches. In her free time she hosts complimentary workshops to help people with their “money journey.”
KARINA CASTAGNA
FINALIST
SVP Commercial Strategy
Mercalis
Karina Castagna is an inspiration for fellow women throughout the healthcare industry with her volunteer work as chair for the pacific region of the Healthcare Business Women’s association as well as her commitment to Kidstream in Camarillo to get a kids museum built that will not only serve and educate young kids in the local community but help underprivileged kids access a museum in their back yard.
In addition, Castagna’s work success has been driven by her passion to help patients overcome access barriers through creative digital and human patient support services that are marketed to the pharmaceutical industry.
CLAUDIA SHAH
FINALIST
Lead Business Adviser
Centro SBDC
Claudia Shah leads the Spanish-speaking program of the SBDC in Los Angeles County called, Centro SBDC. She has been leading this program since 2015 dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Latino community in Los Angeles County. With a focus on supporting small business owners who primarily speak Spanish, Centro SBDC provides workshops and one-on-one advising.
Shah believes that economic success should be accessible to all, regardless of language or cultural background. Under her leadership, the organization works tirelessly to bridge the gap between Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs and the resources they need to thrive.
VIKKI STONE
FINALIST
Senior Vice President
Poms & Associates
For over 40 years, Vikki Stone has dedicated her career to helping manufacturers, distributors, and property owners minimize claims, reduce insurance expenses, and enhance workplace culture. She brings a passion for the transformative power of strategic risk management.
Stone actively seeks out opportunities to educate and foster stronger risk management awareness particularly to women leaders in safety-forward industries such as manufacturing and transportation. She thrives on hiring and mentoring women, and bringing women across trades together to strengthen networking, learning, and support. A champion for women in business, Stone is a passionate advocate for authenticity and empathy.
EMERGING WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS LEADER
SARAH OBERMAN
FINALIST
Founder
TruNorth Jets
Sarah Oberman is a skilled, respected charter broker with decades of experience in the aviation industry. After many years of exemplary and innovative work in the charter and flight school business for which she received both regional and national recognition, Oberman launched her own business, TruNorth Jets, in January 2022.
TruNorth Jets expands air-travel options for leisure and business travelers residing along California’s Central Coast and beyond, allowing them to skip the lines and logistical headaches associated with large scale, commercial flight. Oberman’s clients enjoy first-class private jet experiences throughout the United States, to Europe, Mexico, the Bahamas and other destinations.
DANIELLE ROY
FINALIST
Founder
Morale Matters
Danielle Roy founded Morale Matters, a business consulting firm, on her maternity leave with a mission to help small and mid-size businesses grow. She previously was on the executive team responsible for talent development and recruiting for over 4000 employees at a Forbes Top 25 Private Company. Roy maintains eight certifications in her field.
Roy’s purpose and passion is to empower inspirational leaders. She left her corporate role on the executive team to pursue Morale Matters full time when she realized she could not encourage her clients to have courage and overcome adversity if she did not have courage herself.
JEN SAXTON
FINALIST
Founder & CEO
Tot Squad
Jen Saxton is a phenom and a serial entrepreneur in the baby industry. She sold her first business to BabyQuip in 2020 after scaling and franchising a cleaning service for strollers and car seats into “Geek Squad” style service centers inside big box baby stores nationwide.
During the first lockdowns, Saxton began working on Tot Squad with a vision to transform the baby registry experience to enable new and expecting parents to add services and experiences, not just products, to their gift wish lists. She’s powering it with a platform featuring a nationwide network of baby-industry pros like lactation consultants, night nannies, car seat installers, and more.
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
BRENDA ALLISON
FINALIST
CEO
Coast General Insurance Brokers
Brenda Allison has been at the helm of Coast General Insurance Brokers in Oxnard since 2007, She previously founded and grew the successful firm Allison Commercial Insurance, before acquiring Coast General and merging the two companies into a unified firm that has since grown to encompass a group of nine brokerages.
Throughout her career, Allison has worked tirelessly to overcome obstacles and grow her business. Today she continues to grow her firm. In addition to acquiring Coast General Insurance Brokers in 2007, she acquired three other agencies in 2017 and 2019. She strives to offer risk management solutions tailored to individual needs.
LISA ELKAN
FINALIST
Owner / Founder
Lisa PR
Lisa Elkan has over 15 years’ experience in marketing and PR for professionals and small businesses, with a niche in legal marketing. Elkan’s specialties include marketing, public relations, advertising, social media marketing, business development, and brand management.
Elkan founded Lisa PR in 2012 after working in the field (Guthy Renker Corporation and two prestigious LA law firms) since graduating from UCLA. It was hard at first, but with hard work, passion and drive, Elkan celebrated her company’s 12-year anniversary this year. She loves having her own company, making her own schedule, and working with so many exceptional professionals.
JORDYN JACKSON
FINALIST
Owner
Soaring Samaritans
Youth Movements a second-year student in Councilmember Lee’s LEE12 Leader- ship in Excellence Program, Jordyn Jackson has been engaged in civic affairs and governance alongside 18 high school students. For over nine years, she has led her nonprofit, Soaring Samaritans Youth Movement. As part of her work, she distributes essential items and humanitarian aid to youth in underserved communities.
In order to sustain these efforts, Jackson established SOAR Jewels, a socially responsible jewelry company. In collaboration with fellow students at her high school, Jackson crafts hand-made jewelry, offering service hours to those involved.
JANICE MILLER
FINALIST
Managing Partner
Miller Haga Law Group LLP
Janice Miller is managing partner of Miller Haga Law Group LLP, a boutique corporate business transactional law firm in Southern California. She is a highly recognized legal expert with over 25 years of experience as an innovative general counsel. At Miller Haga she serves as a strategic legal partner and business advisor, providing the firm’s clients with pragmatic, cost-effective legal and business solutions that minimize risk and maximize profits.
Prior to entering private practice, Miller was NBCUniversal’s vice pres- ident of business affairs for Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk, playing an important role in both the business and legal sides of the billion-dollar expansion of Universal Studios.
COMMUNITY IMPACT ADVOCATE
BRENDA ALLISON
FINALIST
CEO
Coast General Insurance Brokers
Brenda Allison, who has been at the helm of Coast General Insurance Brokers in Oxnard since 2007, is also a highly regarded and sought-after public speaker for events throughout California. She speaks frequently at agriculture conferences about risk management.
Allison’s other speaking engagements focus on financial literacy, children’s issues and empowerment of women. She is a regular keynote speaker for foster girls at an annual camp in Santa Barbara County and for numerous non-profits throughout California. An active member in her community, Allison founded the Cuban Culture Club of Ventura County, where she continues to be an active member.
SHAMEKA BEAUGARD
FINALIST
Founder
Youth with a Purpose
Shameka Beaugard’s professional experience is marked by a strong commitment to leadership, education and innovation in community services. Facing and overcoming societal challenges, she has actively created programs that address the gaps in support for young mothers, teens and other disenfranchised groups.
Beaugard’s passion can be seen in her nonprofit Youth with a Purpose, and the programs it builds for the community such as the Mommy Mentor Network. Beaugard’s organization not only addresses the immediate needs of its members but also equips them with the tools for long-term success. Her efforts have resulted in fostering communal strength.
MONIQUE LAWSHE
FINALIST
Partner
GHC Housing Partners LLC
Monique Lawshe is an accomplished executive who combines decades of experience in real estate development with a deep passion for civic improvement and inclusion. Upon graduating with an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, Lawshe broke into development with a project management role at A Community of Friends (ACOF), a small nonprofit that builds and manages affordable housing for individuals experiencing mental illness.
In her 10-year tenure at ACOF, the organization increased the supply of affordable housing units from two buildings and 40 units at the time Lawshe started, to about 1,000 units throughout Los Angeles County.
LAURA McHOLM
FINALIST
Co-Founder & Marketing Director
NorthStar Moving Company
Every day is an adventure for. Laura McHolm of NorthStar Moving and she thrives off of it because she is reinventing a traditionally male industry and making moving kinder. Her steadfast commitment to corporate citizenship is changing the moving industry through charitable contributions. McHolm firmly believes that running a moving business means a lot more than lifting things it’s about lifting up the community. She has built a company and a life that is built upon a sincere dedication to meeting the highest standards for service and integrity in her relationships with customers, employees and the community at large.
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
BRONTË FYKE
FINALIST
Director of Marketing
PaymentCloud
Brontë Fyke has been working professionally at PaymentCloud since it’s early days. Starting as the single marketing hire for a group of 30 was no small task. But as the company got more successful and grew, so did the team of bright and talented marketers along with it.
Now with 14 additional people whom she mentors with a lot of heart, this group of diverse men and women handle everything for five different brands. Fyke aims to not only encourage everyone’s professional growth, but also their personal success and health. She’s created a department that has the highest retention rate and lowest call-out rate.
AMANDA MAZON
FINALIST
Executive Operations Analyst
Mathnasium LLC
As executive operations analyst at Mathnasium, Amanda Mazon brings the company’s culture and inclusion to the forefront. She has spearheaded many initiatives for the workforce, including serving as the chair for Mathnasium’s Women in Leadership Initiative, leading the Mentor Mentee program, and advocating for a Day of Giving and organized the Sandwich Builders initiative, with the company covering the supplies and the workforce making sandwiches for the homeless.
With Mazon’s experience in Human Services, Mathnasium saw reduced turnover in 2023. Her coaching has been instrumental in guiding the management team with their projects and Initiatives.
SARA MURDOCK
FINALIST
Executive Director & Futurist in Residence
Eqogo
Dr. Sara Murdock is an award-winning, published executive with more than 20 years of experience applying social science research in real world organizations. She’s an expert in cultural futurism and has helped dozens of executives across industries understand the impact that their organizations are having now.
More recently, Dr. Murdock has been appointed as Futurist in Residence at Eqogo, a game-changing SaaS. Dr. Murdock and the Futures Index are crafting a much-needed update to the social sciences, which have long excluded women, BIPOC, people with disabilities and other marginalized voices form the research and frameworks that are used to assess and improve impact.
KIMBERLY RAVENELL
FINALIST
Partner
Withum
Kim Ravenell is the tax practice leader in Withum’s Encino office. She has over 25 years of experience providing tax planning and compliance services for high-net-worth individuals and closely held businesses of all sizes.
Since becoming a partner in 2021, Ravenell has led the tax department through regulation changes and challenges brought about by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the CAREs Act and the Paycheck Protection Program. Over the years, she has mentored dozens of team members. An advocate for mentoring underrepresented groups, Ravenell is a leader of “Women of Withum’s” empowerment program.
WOMAN TO WATCH
JENNIFER DUET-HERNANDEZ
FINALIST
Sales Strategy Manager
Athens Services
Jennifer Duet-Hernandez, a San Fernando Valley native, has been in the waste and recycling industry for over 20 years. She has made remarkable achievements in the waste industry, a field traditionally dominated by men. As a Latina, she stands out not only for her professional excellence, but also for breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.
Duet-Hernandez’s innovative approaches and leadership have significantly advanced sustainable recycling and waste practices, earning her recognition and respect from her peers. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Duet-Hernandez is a passionate mentor, inspiring and empowering other women, particularly women of color, in her industry.
ANNEKE GRECO
FINALIST
Executive Vice President
Colliers
Anneke Greco is an executive vice president based in Colliers’ Glendale office. With over 20 years of agency leasing, tenant representation and investment sales experience, Greco is a highly respected and knowledgeable expert in every facet of the commercial real estate lifecycle.
Leading a prestigious team of office experts, Greco calls upon her decade of market knowledge and robust network to cultivate deep client relationships and curate tailored real estate solutions for Class A properties across Greater Los Angeles. She is also actively involved in the National Charity League and serves on the Board of Trustees at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena.
KELLY LAFFEY
FINALIST
Partner
Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP
With more than a decade of experience in the legal field, Kelly Laffey’s practice focuses on advising emerging growth and middle market companies on issues related to corporate governance and formation, venture capital and other financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, cross-border transactions, employee compensation, complex stockholder and operating agreements and other general corporate matters.
Laffey’s clients are representative of the vibrant startup and middle market ecosystem and include companies in the technology, digital and entertainment, clean energy, healthcare, e-commerce, and manufacturing industries.
ERIN ROSS
FINALIST
CEO
Girls Inc. of Los Angeles
Like many organizations, Girls Inc. of Los Angeles struggled during the pandemic. CEO Erin Ross was hired in September 2021, charged by a largely new board to bring their once thriving programs back to life, reignite the organization’s fundraising efforts and set a new course for the future.
A non-profit veteran with more than 20 years’ experience, Ross brought her strategic mind, fundraising prowess and deep understanding of the LA community and school landscape to help turn the organization around. Additionally, Ross launched a signature event, “LA Girls Rise,” which took place just eight months after she began in the role.