Women In Leadership
2024
The 27th Annual West Hollywood Women in Leadership Awards and Reception will be held Wednesday, March 27th from 6-8pm at the Panorama Ballroom at the Andaz Hotel.
Registration opens soon! Sign up here to be notified to register upon opening.
2023
2023 Event Photos
Previous Events
On
Wednesday, March 25, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,
the 25th Annual West Hollywood Women in Leadership Awards and Reception will take place as a virtual celebration. The event is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood and its Women’s Advisory Board, and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
​This year’s honorees are Katie Brightside, artist/designer and Creative Director, Welcome to the Brightside Agency; Emiliana Guereca, Founder of Women’s March Los Angeles and President of Women’s March Foundation; Silvia Salguero, mental health therapist and former City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board member; and Fran Solomon, community leader and former City staff member.
The event will be hosted by comedian and activist Dana Goldberg. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the West Hollywood Women in Leadership Awards, a suggested donation of $25 may be made as part of the event to benefit the National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles (NCJW|LA) and its efforts advancing economic justice and equity for women.
Wednesday March 28th, 2018
Custom Comfort Mattress | 8919 Beverly Blvd
​
MISSION:
The Women in Leadership Awards is a recognition ceremony acknowledging the achievements of local women in the professional and commercial/industrial business community.
BACKGROUND:
Co-sponsored by the West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Women in Leadership Awards Reception originally began as a business mixer in 1991. Held during Women’s History Month, the business mixer offered women the opportunity to network with each other and meet women leaders from various fields. Guest speakers were featured and women were encouraged to bring their business cards with them. In 1996, the mixer evolved into a recognition ceremony acknowledging the achievements of local women in the professional and commercial/industrial business community. Each year five women representing a variety of fields are selected to receive the award. Recipients of the awards range from business owners and CEO’s to educators, community activists, and civic leaders.
The Women in Leadership Awards reception is held at a different design showroom in West Hollywood each year and local establishments provide refreshments. Event attendees include City Councilmembers, City Commission and Advisory Boardmembers, families and friends of the honorees, and members of the local business community.
The Women in Leadership Award itself is a unique design created by artist Carol Celluci. In 1999, one of the awards was named in memory of design pioneer Phyllis Morris. This award is presented for excellence in the design industry.
About the Co-Sponsors -
The West Hollywood Women's Advisory Board (WAB advises the City Council on policies and other issues pertaining to women, advocates on behalf of women's rights, and provides programming addressing women's concerns. The month of March is nationally recognized as Women's History Month -- a time to commemorate and reflect upon the many accomplishments of women and the continuing struggle for equal rights.
The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary, action oriented, non-profit association of business and professional leaders working together to promote the commercial and economic growth of West Hollywood and to foster civic improvements that benefit the general welfare of those who live, work and visit the City.
Recipients:
1996
- Reveta Bowers, Principal, Center for Early Education
- Nita Casar, Owner, West Hollywood Picture Framing
- Merry Norris, Art Curator
- Nadia Sutton, Executive Director, PAWS. LA
- Ruth Tittle, President, Capitol Drugs
1997
- Degania Golove
- Mitzi March-Mogul,
- Elaine Mutchnik, Executive Director, Pacific Design Center
- Josie Prado, Owner, La Masia Restaurant
- Sandy Sachs, Club Owner, GirlBar
- *Abbe Land, Councilmember, West Hollywood City Council & Founder of the Women’s Advisory Board
- *Deanna Stevenson, Deputy to Councilmember Land and Liaison to the Women’s Advisory Board
1998
- Beth Grant, General Manager – House of Blues
- Hope Hindrichs, Chief Financial Officer and Controller – Frontiers Magazine
- Paula Holt, Owner, Tiffany Theater
- Linda Kaufman, Director, West Hollywood Montessori School
- Dr. Virginia Uribe, Ret. Director of Project 10
1999
- Eve Crawford-White, Vice President—The Key Club
- Kathy Watt, Executive Director—Van Ness House
- Suzanne Cavlovic, Owner—Japanache **
- Rabbi Denise Eger, Congregation Kol Ami
- Mary Gilroy, Controller—Pacific Design Center
2000
- Anne Factor – West Hollywood Employment Service & Training
- Lily George – Owner, Sir Speedy Printing
- Bonnie Kingry – Regency Outdoor Advertising
- Karen Kuo – Owner, Robert Kuo Gallery **
- Helen Levin – Executive Director, West Hollywood Russian Community Center
2001
- Suzann Gage, Progressive Health Services
- Mary Gonsalves, Postal Center and More
- Stacie Hunt, Du Vin **
- Kim Schneider, DBL Realtors, Neighborhood Watch
- Nancy Wilson, Metropolitan Community Church
2002
- Captain Lynda Castro, West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station
- Tricia Frey, Whole Foods Market
- Genevieve Morrill, Pacific Design Center **
- Elaine Portnoy, Fairfax Adult School
- Julie Summers, PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
2003
- Ada Blumstein, Ed’s Coffee Shop**
- Adinah Solomon, Los County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
- Anna Strasberg, Lee Strasberg Theatre Institutes
- Shirley Roberts, Jewish Federation, Political and Community Activist
- Jackie Rose, Barfly
2004
- Jamie Adler, Phyllis Morris Originals **
- Laura Frakes,West Hollywood Library
- Ruth Linden, Light Up A Library, National Council of Jewish Women/LA e Library
- Vickie Shemaria & Mary Sweeney, Basix Café & Marix Tex Mex Cafe
- Nan Harrison Washburn, West Hollywood Orchestra
2005
- Khandi Alexander, Actor/performer, AIDS activist
- Shirley Bushnell, Healthcare outreach worker, transgender activist, civil rights activist
- Sharon Davis, Former 1st Lady of California, founders of Shevotes.org
- Mimi McCormick, Director of Operations, MOCA**
- Vera Rychkina & Zina Aksiutich, Volunteer Library Manager and Librarian, Russian Library in Plummer Park
2006
- Marina Berkman, MFT, Director of the West Hollywood Comprehensive Service Center/Jewish Family Service
- Heather Daims, Principal of Central High School, former Principal of Fairfax High School
- Donna Feinstein, Co Founder, West Hollywood Saturdays in the Park
- Deborah Kallick, Executive Director, Government and Industry Relations, Cedars-Sinai Health System
- Audrey Limon, Director, Online Strategy & Marketing, LA Weekly & OC Weekly
- Mary Ta, Minotti**
2007
- Elina Dvorskaya, Dvorskaya Alternative School
- Ruth Cage, Ruth’s Skin Care**
- Amanda Hendon, V-Day West Hollywood
- Hillary Selvin, NCJW
- Gerie Rhosen, Community Volunteer
2008
- Debi Biederman, M.S. MFT, Jewish Family Services/Family Violence Project
- Joyce C. Brandman, Saul and Joyce Brandman Breast Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center
- Nina Curtis, The Nile Institute**
- Wendy Krueger, Founding Member of the Women’s Advisory Board
- Margaret Todd, Los Angeles County Librarian
2009
- Janet Chapman, Rosewood Elementary School
- Claudia Endler, Claudia Endler Designs
- Lorri Jean, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center
- The Honorable Sheila Kuehl, California State Legislature
- Anna Paikow, Fairfax High School
2010
- Janice Felcman, Janus et Cie **
- Mina Kedar, Phd< Downtown Women’s Center
- Helyne Meshar, Helyne Meshar & Associates
- Rae Mitche, Community Activist & Volunteer
- Vivian Sauer, LCSW, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles
2011
- Bonnie Abaunza, Human Rights Activist
- Karmen Beck, Sunset Strip Music Festival
- Robin Conerly, West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation
- Geneen Estrada, Estrada Fine Arts
- Maria Roman, Transgender Activist & Actress
2012
- Vallerie D. Wagner, Director of Education, AIDS Project Los Angeles
- Bamby Salcedo, Health Advocate
- Rochelle Gores Fredston, ARCADE Boutique
- Dr. C. Noel Bairey Merz, Women’s Heart Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center
- Captain Kelley Fraser, West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station
2013
- Shelley Armistead, Soho House
- Kate Bartolo, Kate Bartolo & Associates
- Angela Brinskele, June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives
- Linda Demmers, Library Consultant
- Rikki Poulos, Graphic Designer
2015
- Sandra Fluke: Attorney and Women's Rights Advocate
- Barbara Hamaker: West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation
- Paulinda Schimmel: The Ovarian Cancer Circle Inspired by Robin Babbini
- Vivian B. Seigel: JVS Los Angeles
- Sara Sugarman: Decorative Carpets, Inc.
​2016
- Kay Buck, CEO, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
- Sue Dunlap, CEO, Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles
- Karen Ocamb, Veteran LGBT Journalist
- Cathy J. Reback, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Friends Research Institute
- Maxine Tatlonghari, President & CEO, Vanity Girl Hollywood
​2017
- JD Disalvatore, Activist & Filmmaker
- Patti Giggans, Executive Director, Peace Over Violence
- Pamela Magette, Executive Director, PAWS/LA
- Maria Shtabskaya, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
- Anna Paola Snaidero, VP of PR & Advertising, Snaidero USA
2018
- Gloria Allred, Civil Rights Attorney & Women’s Rights Advocate
- Ruth Cislowski, Social Work Educator
- Vera Mijojlic, Founder & Festival Director (SEEfest)
- Caroline Heldman, Activist & Writer
- Dimple Thakkar, CEO of SYNHERGY MARKETING

*Awarded when Abbe Land was leaving office.
**Awarded the “Phyllis Morris Award” recognizing excellence in the design industry
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