Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Los Angeles of 2024. Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world. It’s estimated that one in 20 workers in LA is part of the creative economy, and employment in creative careers is expected to grow 11% over the next 10 years.
With so much concentrated talent, it’s no surprise that women leaders have hit the big time in LA. A great example is honoree Emil Eddey, Amazon Prime Video’s Head of Content for their X-Ray division. With over a decade of industry experience, she now oversees a global team of creative producers to deliver first-rate content to customers around the globe.
Our next honoree, Kim Overall, leads in the entertainment space as the Executive Vice President for Sony Pictures Entertainment. In this role, Overall leads the studio's central data team and the entire Fandom Network, converting casual viewers into lifelong fans.
Finally, we honor a leader in the music industry, Stacy Benaderet, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of AEG Presents, one of the largest live music companies in the world.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Los Angeles of 2024.
Jula Inrig
Chief Medical Officer, Travere Therapeutics
Jula Inrig joined Travere Therapeutics in January 2022 as the company’s Chief Medical Officer. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the company’s medical functions, clinical development, clinical operations, as well as drug safety/pharmacovigilance. She brings to Travere more than 15 years of expertise in medical oversight, drug development, clinical trial planning, and execution, as well as global regulatory engagement. At Travere, she has overseen the successful approval and launch of Filspari for patients with IgA nephropathy.
Before joining Travere, Inrig served as global head of the Renal Center of Excellence at IQVIA. While at IQVIA, she was instrumental in the design, execution, and strategy of clinical trials leading to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approvals in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and diabetic kidney disease. She was also responsible for the execution of more than 45 clinical trials across 50 countries, enrolling over 25,000 patients, including pivotal phase 3 trials in FSGS, IgA nephropathy, and lupus nephritis. In addition to her roles at IQVIA, Inrig served as an inaugural member of the board for the Kidney Health Initiative, a public-private partnership with the FDA, founded to improve the development of therapies for patients with kidney disease. Inrig has also served in advisory roles for national societies and their guidelines, including the American Society of Nephrology, the National Kidney Foundation, and the American Heart Association.
Inrig has been recognized by PharmaVOICE magazine as one of the 100 Most Inspiring People in the life sciences industry and by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association as a Luminary award winner. She is board-certified in nephrology and internal medicine and serves on the faculty at the University of California, Irvine, and as an adjunct in the Department of Medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine. Inrig received her MD from Loma Linda University and completed her internal medicine residency, her nephrology fellowship, and obtained a Master of Health Science at Duke University. Inrig holds an undergraduate degree from California State University, Sacramento.
Sandra Previde
Executive Director, Information Technology, KP IT Telehealth
Sandra Previde is the Executive Director for Kaiser Permanente (KP) IT Telehealth. In this role, Previde is responsible for technology strategy, consulting services, experience design, and program delivery. KP was a pioneer in using telehealth to promote convenience and access for patients and is an industry leader in this space. Previde has played a critical role in leading teams to innovate in telehealth, to design experiences that focus on the needs of members, patients, and clinicians, and to deliver solutions in response to the critical need for “virtual care at scale” at the onset of the global pandemic in 2020.
Before her current role, Previde led the development and execution of the overall technology strategy for the new KP Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM), delivering solutions that positioned the school as one of the most innovative and integrated medical education institutions in the world. Under her leadership, KPSOM received Stevie Awards from the American Business Awards for excellence achievement related to its digital presence.
Previde has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare, biotechnology, and high-tech industries, having started her career at Hewlett-Packard and later joined Amgen. In these roles, she led global teams responsible for the delivery of technologies and products spanning the overall technology lifecycle, from ideation to development to operations. Previde has an undergraduate degree in computer science, an MBA, and a Master’s degree in The Science of Project Management. In addition, she was an instructor at the University of California, San Diego Extension for seven years, where she developed and delivered courses in the fields of business and project management.
Michelle Fenske
Executive Director, Division Client Development Director, US Wealth Management Division, UBS
Michelle serves as the Division Sales Manager for US Wealth Management at UBS and is responsible for leading sales efforts to drive business and revenue growth across the Division. In this role, she partners with Financial Advisors and Field Leaders to help them deliver best-in-class solutions for their clients, by connecting them with the vast resources and intellectual capital offered by the Firm.
Michelle started her career as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch, where she spent several years working with a large team, servicing the needs of HNW families and institutions. Following her passion for leadership and maximizing impact, Michelle transitioned into management, where she's helped Advisors streamline and grow their practices. Prior to joining UBS, Michelle held several leadership roles with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management across the Central, Southeast, and Pacific Coast Regions. Michelle is passionate about coaching and mentoring and has focused her career on helping Advisors and clients achieve the outcomes they desire.
Michelle earned her MBA with dual concentrations in Corporate Finance and Investment Management from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, where she also completed the Leadership Initiative. She received a BA in History, with a Minor in Humanities, from the University of Louisville, and holds several FINRA licenses, including Series 3, 7, 9, 10, and 66.
Shaneka McDonald
SVP of Human Resources - North America, DBS Bank
Shaneka McDonald has 23 years of expertise in HR and is a results-focused leader who drives business outcomes to help companies harness the full power of their most valuable assets - their employees. She is dedicated to creating robust corporate cultures that promote continuous business growth, which empowers and motivates employees to realize their full potential. She’s supported senior teams with strategic planning initiatives to scale the business.
Shaneka started her career at Washington Mutual Bank in the Customer Contact Center. After selection into the bank’s prestigious Leadership, Education, and Development management training program she found her passion interning in the HR department. A decade ago, she worked for the (FDIC) to ensure compliance at bank receiverships while winding down the operations of the former bank. Shaneka spent a few years at a nonprofit, Child Care Resource
Center (CCRC) is one of the largest resource and referral agencies and Head Start programs in CA. She is a highly motivated professional with extensive experience improving HR functions, providing effective change management, and serving as a strategic partner with executive leadership when scaling the business. She delivers strong program facilitation skills and a demonstrated track record in policy and procedure development, with a positive effect on employee engagement and culture.
Present day she is a Senior Vice President, Human Resources at DBS Bank, working with all levels of employees throughout the organization. Her greatest accomplishment has been her focus on establishing a diverse culture where she and her colleagues are building a legacy through volunteerism to impact the communities they serve. Shaneka holds an undergraduate degree in political science and an MBA with a concentration in human resource management. She is currently certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources through the Society of Human Resource Management.
Judith Ibarra-Bianchetta
VP, US Growth & Strategy, Tetra Tech
Currently Vice President of US Growth and Strategy for Tetra Tech, Judith is responsible for accelerating company growth across the United States through leading strategic initiatives focused on infrastructure solutions. She serves as Executive Sponsor of Voces, Tetra Tech’s Latino/Hispanic Employee Resource Group, and Deputy One Water Growth Initiative Leader.
She brings over 20 years of diverse experience in the areas of business development, operations, program/project management, government affairs, and community relations. She has served in a variety of leadership roles in Texas and California for both Water and Transportation Business Lines including Operations Manager, Client Account Manager, and Area Manager.
Judith is passionate about sustainable infrastructure through multi-disciplined approaches, bringing solutions to complex infrastructure challenges, communicating technical information to non-technical communities, and STEM advocacy with the Latino/Hispanic community.
Dulce Vasquez
Assistant VP, Arizona State University
Dulce Vasquez is an education advocate, changemaker, and passionate civic leader. Vasquez currently serves as Assistant Vice President for Los Angeles' outpost of Arizona State University, focusing on strategic partnerships and public affairs. ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how it succeeds; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves.
Vasquez was previously the managing director of Zócalo Public Square, LA’s civic forum. She was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to serve as a Commissioner to El Pueblo Historic Monument, Los Angeles’ birthplace. Born in Tampico, Mexico, Vasquez has lived all over the country but has called LA home for the last 15 years. After spending half of her childhood undocumented, she attended Northwestern University, The Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). She earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
In 2022, Vasquez ran for Los Angeles City Council, which gave her a platform to champion dozens of issues she cares deeply about, including housing, public transportation, support for small businesses, education, and LGBT+ and women's rights. She lives in South Central Los Angeles with her spouse and two dogs.
Carolyn Glick
Managing Director, BlackRock
Carolyn Glick, Managing Director, is a member of Blackrock’s Global Credit Platform and leads the Origination Team. BlackRock, Inc. is an American multinational investment company. It is the world's largest asset manager, with $10 trillion in assets as of December 31, 2023. Headquartered in New York City, Blackrock has 70 offices in 30 countries, and clients in 100 countries.
She is responsible for originating and executing direct lending and special situations investment opportunities and maintaining relationships with key deal sources and intermediaries across the US, including private equity groups, investment banks, turnaround advisors, and others. The investments sourced can be placed across the BlackRock Alternative Investors (BAI) platform but sit primarily in the BlackRock Private Credit group, which since 1999 has invested nearly $27 billion in over 800 portfolio companies.
Before her current role, Glick was a director at Tennenbaum Capital Partners, which managed more than $9 billion in committed capital and was acquired by BlackRock in 2018. Before joining TCP in 2014, Glick was a managing director at Bank of America Business Capital, where she was responsible for loan originations and financial sponsor coverage. Before Bank of America, she was with Wells Fargo Capital Finance serving in various credit and originations roles, most recently as a managing director responsible for originating, structuring, and managing asset-backed loans. Glick earned a BA in economics and government from Claremont McKenna College.
View the complete list of awardees.
Samantha Millman
VP, Millco Investments, LLC
Samantha Millman is Vice President at Millco Investments, a privately held real estate investment firm in Los Angeles. An asset manager with broad real estate experience, Millman manages a portfolio of commercial and industrial real estate holdings in Southern California and works with a diverse roster of tenants.
Millman previously served as Los Angeles City Planning Commissioner and Commission President. Before serving on the City Planning Commission, she was President of the Central Area Planning Commission for the City of Los Angeles. She sits on the Executive Committee of the board of directors of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a nonprofit poverty law center in Los Angeles that provides free legal services, on a completely non-sectarian basis, to more than 50,000 low-income Angelenos each year.
During the 2012 Presidential Election, Millman was a National Co-Chair of Generation Forty-Four (Gen44), the under-40 fundraising program of Obama for America, created to cultivate and empower a rising generation of leaders for the Democratic Party. In that capacity, Millman also sat on the Obama campaign’s National Finance Committee. She was recently nominated and selected as a National Commissioner for the ADL for the year 2024.
Amy Sandusky
VP, Marketing, QBE North America
Amy Sandusky is the Vice President of Marketing for QBE North America. In this role, she develops and leads the execution of marketing strategies and campaign planning. Amy oversees all elements of marketing and branding, including working with internal clients throughout the enterprise strategizing opportunities to promote the growing Commercial & Specialty lines of business and start-up global practices. She partners with senior leadership, sales, and distribution to help achieve business goals for growth and profitability.
Prior to joining QBE, Amy was VP, of Marketing for Bank of America/Countrywide Financial, responsible for a team of marketing project managers, supporting multiple lines of business. She also served as VP, Sales and Lead Management for Aames Home Loan, managing numerous vendor relationships while delivering quality leads to the sales team. Amy began her career at Deloitte as a Senior Project Controller, with clients comprised of various Fortune 50 companies including State Farm, AT&T, and Microsoft.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside.
Kim Overall
EVP, Global Data Solutions & Fandom Network, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Overall leads the studio's central data team and is responsible for identifying and developing the studio’s capabilities to become a more consumer-centric, data-driven organization. Her group defines the data strategy and utilizes advanced analytics and data science to co-create tools to enable all stakeholders at SPE to make better-informed decisions throughout the value chain.
Additionally, she leads the Fandom Network for SPE, converting viewers into fans by building and fueling fandom across digital platforms globally. Meeting audiences where they are with the content they want in ways that truly move them across SPE’s rich and diverse repertoire of film and television IP.
Formerly, Overall was SVP of SPHE’s United Kingdom, Northern Europe, and EMEA partnerships. In this role, she was responsible for defining the commercial strategies for the region and supporting the EMEA territories. She joined SPHE in 2008 as the managing director for Australia and New Zealand.
Christine Burdick-Bell
VP & General Counsel, Pharmavite
As Vice-President and Counsel, Legal Affairs for Pharmavite, Christine has responsibility for Legal and Government Affairs. Christine has been a practicing attorney for over 35 years of which more than 15 years have been with Pharmavite. She is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, and a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel of America.
Christine has been a partner and counsel at a leading law firm and has handled significant mergers and acquisitions, major securities filings, private placements, and numerous business matters.
Christine received her B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Chemistry from the University of California at Irvine. She received her J.D. from Stanford University Law School.
Maile Kaiser
Chief Revenue Officer, CoreSite
Maile Kaiser is the Chief Revenue Officer of CoreSite, a Colorado-based real estate investment trust that operates data centers offering cloud, interconnection, and colocation solutions for a wide range of industries.
In this role, Kaiser is responsible for overseeing overall revenue growth and strategy for the company's portfolio of data centers. She manages daily operations for the company’s national sales and marketing organization and manages strategic planning and business development. Kaiser brings over 25 years of sales and management experience in the data center, network communications, software, and managed services industries driving growth and innovation for companies, including IO Data Centers (now Iron Mountain) Abovenet Communications (now Zayo), and Oracle Corporation.
Kaiser received a BA in English Literature from the University of California, at Berkeley. She is a member of iMasons and serves on the board of the Advanced Imaging Society.
Catherine Pack
SVP, Operations, LTN Global
Catherine Pack is the Senior Vice President of operations of LTN Global, a worldwide leader in media technology that positions broadcasters and digital content companies to win the future of video.
In this critical role, Pack oversees a global team of project managers, project engineers, onboarding and provisioning technicians and engineers, and teams of first and second-tier operators that provide 24x7 customer support for a family of managed services inclusive of live events production and/or decoration, channel origination and playout, in-band and out-of-band signaling for content policy implementation and ad breaks, live video routing, and distribution of full-time and occasional-use traffic.
Before joining LTN Global, Pack was an assistant vice president of video operations at DIRECTV. Before that, she was an AVP video operations at AT&T. Pack graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with an undergraduate degree in television and film.
Patrice Lafayette
Regional VP, Western Division, Roanoke Insurance Group
Patrice Lafayette began her career at Roanoke Insurance Group in 2007 in the Western Division Bond department and has held various positions, including managing both the West Coast bond team and West Coast sales team, until becoming Regional Vice President of the Western Division in late 2023. She has over 20 years of insurance and financial services experience with the last 17 years focused on the international trade community. Lafayette is responsible for a large book of business that includes high-profile clients and brings invaluable expertise in cultivating and managing client relations and helping to determine where coverage gaps may exist and how to address them.
Known for her insurance and international trade experience, Lafayette is a well-respected advisor on risk management of insurance and bonds for the international trade community. She frequently speaks at various local and national transportation association conferences, as well as conducts training workshops to help keep clients and the industry at large informed on the various changes taking place in logistics and transportation and the solutions available to respond to these changes.
Before joining Roanoke, Lafayette worked for Underhill Insurance Agency in Woodland Hills, CA, gaining knowledge and expertise in Business and Personal lines Insurance, as well as Life and Health Insurance. Underhill Insurance is a family-owned business that has been in operation for almost 70 years. Lafayette is a licensed insurance broker in both Property and Casualty and Life and Health in 12 states, and a graduate of California State University, Northridge, where she earned an undergraduate degree in finance. She serves on the board of directors for the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) and is also an active participant in numerous other West Coast trade associations. She is a past board member of Women in International Trade Orange County.
View the complete list of awardees.
Kimberly Souza
VP of Technology Services, Lifelong Learning Administration
Kimberly Souza is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in education, technology, and leadership. Based in, California, she holds a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction in Computer Education from the University of Phoenix (2007) and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University (1997), graduating with honors and earning recognition as an Outstanding Student.
Kimberly's extensive educational journey includes obtaining a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chapman University in 2010, solidifying her commitment to both technology and education and successfully completing the California IT in Education (CITE) Chief Technology Officer program.
In her current role as Vice President of Technology Services (2022-Present) at Lifelong Learning Administration within the Learn 4 Life Charter Network, one of the nation's largest nonprofit educational services organizations, Kimberly oversees all technology operations. This includes leading a team that supports staff and students across multiple school sites. Her visionary approach has been instrumental in overhauling the Technology Services department and aligning technology initiatives with the organization's strategic goals.
Before her Vice President position, Kimberly served as the Education Technology Coordinator (2016-2019) where she led a team of Regional Instructional Specialists, implementing and training on an online communication application for the entire organization. Her role included promoting research-based strategies to achieve equitable access to digital tools and technology-related best practices.
Kimberly's career extends beyond the educational sector. She served as an Adjunct Professor at DeVry University/Kaplan University (2008-2013), teaching various courses in computer science. Additionally, her involvement with NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center (2000-2009) as the Digital Learning Network Coordinator and roles in private sectors such as Symvonics/CSC Dyncorp and E.D.S. Electronic Data System have showcased her versatility and technical expertise.
Throughout her career, Kimberly has been recognized for her contributions, receiving the Google G Suite Administrator certification in 2019 and becoming a Google Apps for Education Certified Instructor in 2016. She presented at various conferences, including ISTE 2007 in San Antonio, Texas, where she co-presented on NASA's Digital Learning Network.
Kimberly Souza's professional journey is marked by a passion for education, a dedication to technology integration, and a commitment to fostering innovative learning environments. Her leadership and expertise continue to shape the intersection of technology and education, ensuring students and educators are well-equipped for the challenges of the digital age.
Gayla Kraetsch Hartsough
President, KH Consulting
Gayla Kraetsch Hartsough, Ph.D., embarked on her entrepreneurial spirit when she founded KH Consulting Group (KH), a general management consulting firm, in 1986. KH has served more than 200 clients in 25 states and 9 foreign countries. She served as the Executive Director for the first-ever independent redistricting of the Board of Supervisors in Los Angeles County in 2021. She is also an Associate Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Southern California (USC), Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Most of KH’s work has focused on strategic, organizational, cultural, and social change. She has an extensive career serving government (e.g., the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, County of Orange (CA), State of California, City and County of Denver (CO), U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and City and County of Denver); higher education and non-profit organizations (USC, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), California State University System, and 30% of the community colleges in California); transportation networks (Los Angeles World Airports/LAX, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, South Australia Department of Marines & Harbours, and Port Authority of New York-New Jersey); utilities (Metropolitan Water District, Illinois Power Company, Telstra (Australia), Southern California Edison, Colorado Public Service Company, Arizona Nuclear Generating Station, and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power); and other private sector entities (Fox Entertainment, QANTAS Airways, BHP, Chrysler, Travelers’ Insurance, CBS, and Jim Henson). She also has worked with international delegations from China, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia with USC and UCLA.
Prior to KH, she was a Managing Consultant at Towers Perrin (now Willis Towers Watson) in Washington, D.C.; Sydney, Australia; and Los Angeles, CA; and a Senior Program Officer with a nonprofit policy firm in Washington, D.C. She holds a B.S. degree from Northwestern University; a masters degree from Tufts University; Ph.D. and master degrees from the University of Virginia; and a post-doctorate fellowship from the Institute of Citizens & Scholars (formerly, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation).
She has served as a member of or on the boards of NAWBO-LA; Organization of Women Executives; Women’s Leadership Council, Northwestern University’s Council of 100, School of Communications National Advisory Council, and NUEA-West. Mt. Lebanon High School (Pittsburgh, PA) gave her a Great Alumni Award in 2022. She is also a screenwriter and producer of short, feature, and TV scripts.
Sarah Heering
COO, MIKUNA
With a passion for sustainable innovation and a heart for the planet, Sarah Heering stands at the forefront of the plant-based revolution as the Chief Operations Officer of Mikuna Foods, Inc. Bringing over 17 years of executive experience to the table, Sarah's leadership is characterized by her relentless pursuit of growth, efficiency, and ingenuity. At MIKUNA, she spearheads operations, strategy, and execution, all while staying true to the company's mission of transforming the future of food and nurturing the earth.
Sarah's journey is marked by her ability to build and guide dynamic teams, foster collaborations across diverse sectors, and consistently deliver value to customers and investors. Her membership in Chief, an exclusive network for women leaders, underscores her commitment to empowering women in leadership roles across various industries. Her expertise is not limited to operations alone; Sarah is also a master of omni-channel marketing, new media, business planning, and team leadership. She leverages these skills to drive social change and create a positive impact, with a particular focus on promoting culture, regenerative practices, and technological innovation.
At the heart of MIKUNA is the Chocho superfood, an ancient treasure from the Andes Mountains, which Sarah and her team are introducing to the world. Chocho is a game-changing plant protein packed with premium functional nutrition. We're inspired by the Kichwa concept of nourishing the body through food, and Chocho embodies this philosophy. This complete plant protein is not only a testament to the company's dedication to premium functional nutrition but also a symbol of their commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing. Under Sarah's guidance, MIKUNA is leading the way in the plant-based industry, setting new standards for purity, sustainability, and taste. With products that are as good for the body as they are for the planet, MIKUNA is not just changing the game; it's changing the future.
Victoria Niklas
CMO, Oak Hill Bio
Victoria Niklas is the Chief Medical Officer of Oak Hill Bio, a clinical-stage neonatology and rare disease therapeutics company developing life-changing medicines for extremely preterm infants and patients suffering from rare autoimmune diseases.
Niklas has more than 30 years of experience as a global biotechnology executive and strategy advisor in the clinical and research life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. With a clinical background as a neonatologist, her focus is to improve the care and well-being of patients through scientific research, medical discovery, and new product innovation targeting unmet needs in healthcare.
Niklas brings an extensive background to the LactaLogics board, including past service as chief medical and scientific officer of Prolacta Bioscience, director of the neonatal intensive care unit and newborn medicine at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, and chief of neonatal medicine at Nemours Children’s Health System. She earned her Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Harvard University and her medical degree from Harvard Medical School. She completed her residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and a fellowship in perinatal and neonatal medicine at UCLA.
Andrea Notestine
Director of Department Operations & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Polsinelli
Andrea Notestine serves as both the Director of Department Operations and Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Polsinelli. As Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion she is responsible for working alongside the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer to implement the firm's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, by setting and monitoring goals for the recruitment, retainment, and advancement of diverse legal professionals.
In addition to her DE&I focus, Andrea also supports the Real Estate & Financial Services Department, managing the daily business aspects for the legal department and implementing strategic initiatives with key stakeholders by operationally connecting the dots between all departments within the firm.
Prior to joining Polsinelli, Andrea managed projects of all sizes and complexities across the globe. She has lived in six different countries, traveled to 21 countries, and has a wide range of experience, including starting her own hospitality business in Thailand, organizing a large international entertainment event in 2008 in Macau while working for a publicly listed Hong Kong company, and specializing in operational business management across a multitude of industries, of which four years were spent in Honolulu, Hawaii, seven years in New York City and over five years throughout Asia.
Andrea holds an M.B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management (completed at partner university Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China), a B.B.A. degree from Hofstra University, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certifications.
Ryan Jordan
Founder & CEO, Educated Newborn Care Specialists
Ryan Jordan is a dynamic force in the childcare industry, known for her advocacy for fair wages and legal pay for nannies, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to education. With a career spanning over 25 years in childcare, teaching, and mentoring, Ryan brings a unique blend of expertise and relatability to her work. In 2013, Ryan founded Educated Nannies, a nanny placement agency based in Los Angeles, in response to a need for engaging childcare and educational support. Over the years, the agency has expanded nationwide and specializes in serving high-profile households, entrepreneurial families, and all parents seeking quality childcare solutions.
In addition to her work with Educated Nannies, Ryan launched The Educated Mommy in 2017, offering parenting classes for mothers. In 2021, she started The Educated Mama Podcast, featuring inspiring mothers who are making a difference in the world. In 2023, she further expanded her services by creating Educated Newborn Care Specialists to support parents and care for newborns in these early sleepless months.
Ryan's educational background includes earning a multiple-subject teaching credential and a Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University. Her dedication and positive attitude have earned her recognition, including being featured in the Northwestern Mutual 2020 fall campaign for successful female entrepreneurs who made a pandemic pivot and receiving the Red Tricycle Award for Most Helpful Childcare Agency in Los Angeles. Beyond her professional achievements, Ryan is passionate about empowering women in leadership roles and was nominated for the LA Business Journal's Women Making a Difference Award. In June, she will graduate as a certified life coach through the Jay Shetty Certification School, aligning with her Enneagram 2 personality as "The Helper." Outside of work, Ryan cherishes spending time with her family, including her loving husband, son, and daughter, who bring joy and laughter to her life every day. Her commitment to learning and witnessing children's "aha moments" continues to fuel her passion for creating positive experiences for families.
Sylvia Avendano
VP of Project Development & Operations, American Safety Group
Sylvia Avendano is a results-driven professional who began her career over 30 years ago. In 2020, she joined American Safety Group, a regionally acclaimed environmental, health, and safety consulting firm as the Vice President of Project Development and Operations. She is focused on growing ASG and continuing to bring value to her clients as a safety expert with a proactive approach to Safety and a Zero Incident Culture. She is a high-energy, focused leader who moves easily from vision and strategy to implementation, critical thinking, planning, organizing, and execution. This includes the development and execution of strategic planning initiatives and standard operating procedures, while working closely with the management team to implement and deliver strategic plans, driving business development initiatives and building industry relationships, while advancing growth across all markets and services, establishing market presence and visibility.
Before ASG, Avendano’s career has included VP of business development for Owen Group A/E/CM (Bureau Veritas), VP of business development at HMC Architects, statewide energy and utilities analyst on Capital Outlay Programs for California State University Chancellor’s Office CPDC, and owner of Avendano Consulting. She brings a proven ability to develop strategic alliances and build lasting C-level relationships. She is highly experienced in developing business plans, marketing campaigns, operational procedures, budgets, technical proposal writing, and interview coaching. With more than 30 years in the A/E/C space, she uses her creativity, expertise, and finesse to ensure her team exceeds client expectations.
Raised in Southern California, she attended the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, where she also met her husband of 35 years.
View the complete list of awardees.
Nicole Mixdorf
Founder & Chief Wellness Officer, Balance by Nature
Nicole Mixdorf is an international bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Balance by Nature. She was awarded as a Top 100 Healthcare Leader in the World in 2020 and 2021, the Most Influential Woman in Corporate Wellness Services USA in 2020 and 2023, the Top 10 Successful Business Leader Revamping the Future in 2021, and a Top Thought Leader of Our Generation in 2023.
Mixdorf is a prolific speaker, master teacher, and healer, delivering over 30 master classes on inspirational personal development topics. Her passion, wisdom, and enthusiasm draw her audiences in to uncover deep truths about themselves so they can live their best lives. Her unique brilliance lies in her ability to instantly put people at ease and uplift the energy of everyone around her. She is passionate about teaching busy professionals how to create balance in their lives so they can thrive.
Mixdorf spent over a decade working her way up the corporate ladder in a global firm until intense stress started making her sick. After healing her body, she launched Balance by Nature in 2012 to inspire busy professionals to create more balance in their lives and thrive. She has a BA in psychology from UCLA and is a Certified Yoga Instructor.
Elaine Harwood
SVP & Head of the Accounting Practice, Cornerstone Research
Elaine Harwood is a Senior Vice President at Cornerstone Research, based in the Los Angeles office. She also heads the firm’s accounting practice. Harwood is an expert on financial accounting, financial reporting, and auditing. She consults with clients and works with experts on securities litigation, complex enforcement matters brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and corporate investigations.
Harwood has served for more than 20 years as a consultant and expert on a wide range of liability and damages issues. She has also consulted on prominent securities class actions. Her experience includes analysis of loss causation and damages in disclosure cases for clients in a wide range of industries, including financial institutions, consumer products, communications, technology, and energy. Harwood has co-authored a variety of articles and publications and speaks widely to legal and trade audiences on trends and new developments in litigation and regulatory enforcement, financial accounting and reporting, and auditing. She is a member of the advisory council of the University of Southern California’s SEC and Financial Reporting Institute. Who’s Who Legal has recognized Harwood as a thought leader and a global leader among forensic accountants in the legal investigations space.
Before joining Cornerstone Research, Harwood was a professor at Boston College. She is a certified public accountant (CPA) and is certified in financial forensics (CFF) by the AICPA. She holds a PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting, from the University of Southern California.
Corey Spiegel
Founder, Light House
Corey Spiegel, Founder of the women's networking organization, Light House, is one of the most sought-after moderators on women's empowerment and wellness. Spiegel was a senior advertising executive who spent two decades working for big companies like Warner Bros, Ellen, Playboy, and Extra. She created Light House, a diverse and global community of women who are having personal conversations that are transparent, refreshing, and real, with the vision of creating a “Board of Directors for your personal life.” Light House creates a confidential and judgment-free space for engaging dialogue that not only allows women to hear and learn from others but also to renew their own sense of appreciation, empowerment, and passion for life.
Balancing marriage, career, motherhood, and life was not easy for Spiegel. She craved a place to get real with other women facing similar challenges in life, someplace she could gain perspective and guidance on a shared experience and hopefully find community in the process. Spiegel reported to a board of directors professionally and had a vast community of women around her, but that level of support was missing in her personal life. She wanted experienced, unbiased advisors who were willing to provide honest counsel, mentorship, and wisdom about life. As her idea grew, she met many talented and wise women who joined her on this journey.
Today, Light House curates classes, events, and luxury retreats (both in person and virtually) for the countless women in the world who seek camaraderie, community, and meaningful conversation. Spiegel’s work has been recognized by national media from The Wall Street Journal, The Miami Herald, NBC News, and Luxury Travel Magazine to name a few.
Meghann Butcher
Co-Founder, CEO, & President, RepSpark Systems
Meghann Butcher is the CEO, President, and Co-Founder of RepSpark Systems, the leading B2B SaaS e-commerce platform connecting brands and retailers in one unified place.
With a proven track history of leadership in the technology and software industry, Butcher has shared her expertise through leading industry associations and partners, including the PGA Show, AGM, NAUMD, Outdoor Industry Associations, GS1 Summit, and more. She also serves as an official member of Forbes Business Council sharing her knowledge on Leadership, Strategy, B2B, Software as a Service (SaaS), and eCommerce.
Meghann graduated from Vanderbilt University with an undergraduate degree in psychology and communications.
NoRhett Walls
VP, National Commercial Services, Stewart Title
NoRhett Walls serves as Vice President for National Commercial Services at Stewart Title Company. She works closely with builders, developers, principals, and brokers nationwide, offering exceptional client care throughout the title process. She is heavily involved with CREW- Commercial Real Estate Woman Network. She was the CREW Inland Empire past president and the past president of the CREW IE Foundation and has served on the board for 10 years.
Walls has worked in the title industry since 1999. Her professional history within the real estate industry has provided her with a truly comprehensive understanding of the business as a whole. She launched a career in the lending field as a loan officer loan processor while still in college, and eventually transitioned into escrow. Though her early years were spent working with residential real estate clients, Walls consistently displayed a distinct ability to connect on a corporate level with brokers and principals. She enjoys the challenges associated with commercial transactions.
In 2009, Walls fulfilled a life dream of opening a thoroughbred farm, specializing in the retirement and lay-up for racehorses. Away from work, Walls and her husband breed and train thoroughbreds with barns at Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Los Alamitos racetracks.
Ramona Agrela
Chief Human Resources Officer & Vice-Chancellor, University of California, Irvine
Ramona Agrela serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer and Vice Chancellor for the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She is the senior university official responsible for all human resources administration and operations and has extensive, award-winning experience across multiple HR disciplines. With a passion for helping organizational leaders achieve their strategic goals through progressive talent management strategies, Ramona truly believes that HR’s role is to empower people's success through a culture of innovation, learning, and service.
Agrela has transformed human resources at UCI through key initiatives, including a transformative, client-centric HR model that equally serves three distinct UCI business units – campus, College of Health Sciences, and UCI Health. Part of the success of the model is the Partnership for Strategy and Innovation center of excellence, where best-in-class leaders within their respective fields of information systems, workforce relations, total rewards, talent acquisition, talent development, performance excellence, communications, engagement, and more, lead high performing teams to develop and deliver game-changing programs to UCI’s 12,000 staff members. To support these efforts, Agrela launched the Employee Experience Center, where any UCI employee can get answers with a single email, phone call, or visit to the self-service portal.
Agrela holds an undergraduate degree in economics and a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Fullerton. She is a SHRM-certified senior professional, a WorldatWork certified compensation professional, and a Human Capital Institute Strategic HR Business Partner. She is a frequent speaker and presenter at human resources and higher education conferences across the nation.
Charlene Dimas-Peinado
President & CEO, Wellnest
Charlene Dimas-Peinado, President and CEO of Wellnest, leads one of the oldest nationally recognized trauma-informed behavioral health organizations in Los Angeles. She combines the big-picture perspective of a visionary, hands-on executive, and the insights of an experienced licensed psychotherapist in her quest to help children, young adults, and families lead emotionally healthy lives.
Dimas-Peinado calls upon 30 years of experience in behavioral health and nonprofit organizations. She is the first Latina president and CEO of Wellnest since its founding in 1924 and provides overall leadership and strategic direction as it approaches one hundred years of community service. She has broadened the organization’s financial health with her expertise in public and private contracts to expand best-in-class, compassionate, trauma-informed care. As Wellnest’s fiduciary leader and translator of its mission and vision, she ensures the organization is financially, politically, and operationally strong, as it provides best-in-class behavioral health and housing services while addressing the changing needs of its communities.
Dimas-Peinado has expertise in obtaining and providing direct oversight to multi-million-dollar contracts with a specialty in nonprofit governance, audit and compliance, and regulatory matters. Additionally, she has spearheaded multiple fundraising and capital campaigns, which have raised millions of dollars, forged new partnerships, and leveraged the impact of donations from donors to provide critically needed services in underserved communities. Dimas-Peinado holds a Master’s degree in Leadership from the University of Southern California, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach.
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Stacy Benaderet
VP, AEG Presents
Stacy Benaderet is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of AEG Presents, one of the largest live music companies in the world. The company is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music events, and world-renowned festivals.
Benaderet first joined the company in 2008 as a national group sales manager. Since then, she’s held multiple leadership roles, including senior director of sales, national director of sales, and VP of sales and marketing. Previously, Benaderet was a renewal sales manager at House of Blues Clubs. Earlier in her career, she worked with AEG as an account executive of Chicago Fire at TOYOTA Park.
Benaderet earned an undergraduate degree in social relations and journalism from Michigan State University James Madison College.
Val Achtemeier
Vice Chairman of Capital Markets, CBRE
Val Achtemeier is a Vice Chairman of CBRE Capital Markets, Inc. Her extensive commercial real estate experience includes both institutional and private entrepreneurial positions focusing on debt and equity procurement, joint venture formations, ground leases, development, investment acquisitions, dispositions, and all aspects of capital markets activities. She leads a team in CBRE Capital Markets Institutional Group in placing debt and equity on commercial properties throughout the United States.
During her over 30-year career, Achtemeier has originated, structured, and closed over $46 billion of real estate financing transactions throughout the US with an emphasis on portfolio loans and larger loans, as well as construction loans and JV equity. She is part of a market-leading industrial/logistics CBRE Capital Markets team called National Partners. The CBRE National Partners team closed over $40 billion of industrial sales and debt capital markets transactions in 2021. They deliver superior information, analytics, and strategy leading to exceptional execution over the industrial investment property life cycle and across the capital stack. Achtemeier earned an undergraduate degree in business administration in finance from Iowa State University.
Before joining CBRE, Achtemeier served as a VP and director of capital markets at Majestic Realty Co. She gained institutional experience at The Principal Financial Group, where she was responsible for joint venture development and debt placement, restructuring, and acquisitions throughout the US.
Nicole Ganier
VP of Operations, Equus Workforce Solutions
In her role as Vice President of Operations for Equus Workforce Solutions, Nicole Ganier has now pivoted into Workforce Development, as well as Health & Human Social Services. She leads a dynamic team that assists individuals and employers, together with their partners and collaborators, to change lives, advance economies, and help communities thrive.
Ganier has over 25 years of talent management experience. She’s held executive-level leadership positions with national responsibility for sales and operations and is considered a thought leader regarding diversity and inclusion. Over the years, Ganier has managed high-performance teams who have delivered best-in-class workforce solutions through a seamless, integrated approach to providing talent with an emphasis on developing solutions that are efficient, effective, and client-centric.
Ganier devotes energy as a volunteer for the Jenesse Center, YWCA of Greater LA, and Habitat for Humanity and is a former board member of the Greater LA chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. Born and raised in Southern California, she graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, and studied sociology at the Universidad de Sevilla in Seville, Spain.
Rebecca Lienhard
CEO, Tierra del Sol Foundation
Rebecca Lienhard began her professional career nearly 35 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tierra del Sol Foundation. Tierra del Sol serves individuals with disabilities and champions them to live lives of full inclusion through meaningful and productive lives. Our communities are stronger when all of its citizens contribute to each community's economic, cultural, and civic vitality. Lienhard joined Tierra in 1990 and, over the course of her tenure, has championed inclusion and value for people with disabilities through their unique contributions to our communities.
Lienhard serves as the key spokesperson for the agency in local, state, and national venues. She has served on numerous community boards and committees, such as the Vendor Advisory Committee for the California Department of Developmental Services, North Los Angeles County Regional Center, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Employment First Committee, and serving as VP of the Board of Directors for Southern California APSE. She is currently serving on the Board of Valley Economic Alliance and StandOut Client Advisory Board. Additionally, she serves as a current member of two of California's Department of Developmental Services Workgroups, specifically focusing on System & Fiscal Reform and Community Resources. Through these roles, she has gained a nationwide view of services, relevant laws, and emerging trends, all in an effort to advance meaningful and inclusive lives for adults with developmental disabilities.
Lienhard holds a Doctorate Degree in Organization Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, as well as a master's degree in special education, with an emphasis on moderate/severe disabilities. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware National Leadership Institute on Developmental Disabilities.
View the complete list of awardees.