Susanna Peredo Swap – Nonprofit Executive
SUSANNA PEREDO SWAP has over twenty-five years of experience as an arts administrator, actor, jazz vocalist, arts advocate, and public relations specialist. While working for the San Diego International Airport Art Program she curated…
Bill Littlejohn – Sharp HealthCare Foundation
Bill Littlejohn is one of the nation’s leading health care philanthropy professionals. With more than three decades of experience, Bill has led and directed philanthropic programs that have generated more than a billion dollars….
Felena Hanson – Author / Founder of Hera Hub / Women’s Global Network and Ladies Who Launch / NAWBO
My career has spanned everything from technology start-ups to higher education. In 2003, I set off to become an entrepreneur after my position as director of marketing was eliminated due to the sale of…
Chef Roc – The Chef Roc Show / Nonprofit Executive
Hi, I’m Steve Cassarino, aka Chef Roc. I grew up in Connecticut and moved to San Diego in 1979 after graduating from Johnson & Wales University School of Culinary Arts. My love for food…
Ugochi Iwuaba – Fashion Designer
Ugochi Iwuaba is an award-winning international fashion designer making her mark in the fashion world. She is a wife and mother who started her fashion brand at the darkest time in her life when…
Amy Forsythe – Author of “Heroes Live Here: A Tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines Since 9/11”
Amy Forsythe is an award-winning military journalist who served five combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and has been on assignment on several other overseas missions. Amy started her career as a U.S. Marine…
Dee Ammon – Philanthropist
Photo by Dave Siccardi I was born in Guam. I’ve lived in San Diego since 1983. My husband Jon and I live in Alpine and have a blended family of five children, and six grandchildren….
Mary England – CEO, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Born in Los Angeles and raised in North Park. Relocated to East County with my family in my early years. Started my career at Pac Bell in San Diego and was transferred to northern…
Abby Boretto – Philanthropist / Activist / Documentary Film Producer
(Photo by Brooke Preece) San Diego’s Abby Boretto has added a new skill to her already full resume. Well known as a philanthropist, influential community activist, civic volunteer, Mrs. California All-Star United States 2021,…
Claudine Van Gonka
Born and raised in Chicago, IL, I moved to California at 19 years old in hopes of becoming the next Merryl Streep. When that didn’t exactly work out, I ended up working in radio…