On Tuesday, California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (La Cañada Flintridge) hosted the annual Women in Business - Legislative Update & Awards Luncheon at The Castaway in Burbank, California. This year the annual event hosted over 445 guests. The main objective of the event was to celebrate exceptional women whose professional skills and commitment to their community have made them outstanding leaders and role models. The careers of the honorees varied across the spectrum of professions, including science and technology, corporate and small business, environmental protection, and non-profit organizations.
Guests were greeted with the musical performance of the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Canter Ruth Berman-Harris, one of this years honorees in the “Inspirational” category started the program with a poignant song of peace to honor the victims of tragedies locally and around the county, followed by the Senators Legislative update and after lunch, Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones gave an informative and eye opening keynote address.
Below you will find the honorees and the categories they were being honored for.
Young Entrepreneur
Monique Vobecky (Glendora)
Rhiannon Gillis (Atwater Village)
Delilah Curry (South Pasadena)
Trailblazer
Ellen Ligons (Pasadena)
Sally De Witt (San Marino)
Small Businesswoman
Meredith Miller (Altadena)
Linda Sells (Monrovia)
Keshia L. Bowen (Monrovia)
Corporate
D’Aquino Imports (Duarte)
Patricia, D’Aquino
Bianca Vobecky (Glendora)
Non Profit Executive Director
Judith Arandes (Burbank)
Marianna Gatto (LA)
Debra Manners (Pasadena)
Tina Hughes (Upland)
Tara Peterson (Glendale)
Michelle Kim (Pasadena)
Non Profit Employee
Barbara Miller (Burbank)
Vickie Reinhardt (Pasadena)
Volunteer
Nancy E. Guillen (Burbank)
Talin Yacoubian (LA)
Margie Green (San Dimas)
Sonja Stump (Claremont)
Veronica Chavoor (Burbank)
Christina Ellixson (Burbank)
Jennifer Choi (La Canada)
Empowerment
Filipino American Business Association
of Glendale
Armenian Relief Society/ WR
Glendale Council PTA
Inspirational
Reverend Cassie McCarty (Glendale)
Cantor Ruth Berman Harris (Pasadena)
Law
Genoveva Talbott (Claremont)
Judge Armenui A. Ashvanian (Glendale)
Lucy Varpetian (Glendale)
Diane Lambillotte (Glendale)
Environment & Sustainability
Dominique Hargreaves (Pasadena)
Susana Reyes (Glendale)
Medicine
Dr. Alexandra Levine (Duarte)
Dr. Andrea Brault (San Dimas)
Dr. Wendy Shem Yeh (Pasadena)
Dr. Srpouhi Gasparyan (Pasadena)
Education
Ani Keshishian (Montrose)
Rebeca Andrade (La Crescenta)
Taline Krikorian Arsenian (Glendale)
Sharon Cuseo (Burbank)
Arts
Nina Crowe (Glendale)
Marlene Hitt (Sunland Tujunga)
Anna Sheklow (La Crescenta)
