ARTICLE
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and has been observed annually in the month of March in the USA since 1987. As you peruse social media posts as well as daily news stories, we read about many great women doing amazing things. Now as a man that was raised by a single mom from age 4 throughout my college years, I have the highest regard for women who raise a family, take care of kids and then find the ability to be business owners, executives of for-profit and nonprofit organizations, or those who take the public sector path where they are department heads, appointed or elected leaders. This is Women’s History Month and it is my privilege and honor to single out the Women of the Santa Cruz County Chamber who lead by example — the Chamber is stronger, better and bolder because of these women leaders. Let me begin with our Chamber Women Board of Directors in alpha order: Keisha Browder, CEO, United Way Santa Cruz County: Keisha leads multiple county-wide initiatives addressing issues from academic success to youth violence prevention and criminal justice reform. I could list her long resume of achievements; however, in three words I would describe Keisha with — Zest For Life!” — when she walks into a room she brings amazing energy to the group. Kristin Fabos, Director of Marketing & Communications at Cabrillo College: Kristin is one of those quiet leaders who is deeply engaged in the Santa Cruz County community whether actively working to promote Cabrillo College, assuming leadership roles on civic organizations like the Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, and the Business Council, or her volunteer support of Second Harvest Food Bank. We are fortunate to have her as part of the Chamber Board. Clara Flores, Senior Director, Supply Management at Poly: Clara joined the Board recently but it is her 40 years of corporate work at Plantronics (now Poly) where she has served in a variety of roles over her career. What strikes me when I talk with Clara is her compassion for her family first and foremost. A humble leader in her own right. Bonnie Lipscomb, Director, Economic Development Department, City of Santa Cruz: Bonnie is a dynamo of positive energy leading her team at the City where she has fostered positive working relationships with other city departments, city council members and most importantly the business community in Santa Cruz. Bonnie is a humble leader in city government who shares her talents with numerous organizations throughout the region. Morgan Lyng Lukina, Managing Broker, David Lyng Real Estate: Morgan is a leader in the Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors, former Realtor of the Year as well as serving local community boards such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters and United Way Santa Cruz. Foremost, she is a champion mother of two wonderful boys and a dedicated wife to former Board member, Greg Lukina. Laura Marcus, CEO, Dientes Community Dental Care: Laura has devoted her career path to serve in nonprofits since 1997 first with an HIV/AIDS prevention project in South Africa, and as Executive Director of Human Care Alliance, VP of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance and an innovative leader helping serve our youth and other low-income residents with dental care needs. Stephanie Munoz, Vice President/Co-Owner of BTF Enterprises and Shiela Locatelli-Wallace — Co-Owner of BTF Enterprises: We need to mention both of these women business owners who lead an Accredited Association Management Company that helps keep the Chamber running smoothly ensuring our event planning, back-office administrative work, payroll, financial management, website maintenance and a host of other duties that make the Chamber work for our members. We must also thank BTF team member and administrative phenom, Sedem Akposoe, who after 3+ years of excellent work is moving on this Spring to pursue her professional passion in the realm of international policy and development. Thank you for your immense support and best of luck, Sedem! Tejal Sood, Managing Partner, General Manager, Bayside Properties/Hyatt Place: Tejal was raised in Santa Cruz in the hospitality industry as a young woman learning the family business from the ground up. She came to Santa Cruz in 1975 when her family had a little motel, the Ebbtide Motel on Riverside Avenue. The family has a few hotels in Santa Cruz and opened Hyatt Place a couple years back. As a life-long hotelier, she knows firsthand the invaluable impact the tourism industry has on Santa Cruz County’s economy. A true community leader. Melissa Whatley, Executive Director, Government and Community Relations UCSC: Melissa Whatley is the Executive Director of Government and Community Relations at UC Santa Cruz. In this role Melissa is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with campus neighbors as well as elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels on behalf of UC Santa Cruz and providing leadership in developing and implementing programs as well as strategies to engage community and government leaders in support of campus priorities. There are other women leaders in the Chamber who are known as Chamber Ambassadors and serve as the faces, eyes and ears of the Chamber at community events, business after hours mixers, and gala dinners. All business executives, owners, and community leaders in their own right, without a doubt, let's give a shout-out to our women ambassadors: Chris Maffia, Beverly Ritchey, Lora Allanson, Michele Bassi, Kathryn Hohl, Sara Horsley, Annika Kelsey, Aurora Lowe, Marlena Munoz, Beth Powanda, and Adele Talmadge. And without further ado, let me recognize one more women leader — our very own Elana Solon, the Chamber’s Director of Memberships, Marketing and Events. In just over a year with the Chamber Elana has demonstrated an uncanny ability to take on every event, membership recruitment and retention and other projects as assigned with candor, humor and a bold vision to find success at every turn. Her leadership and passion for the chamber’s mission is on display every day at our events and behind the scenes where hard work makes a positive difference for our members. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let's give big applause to the Women of the Santa Cruz County Chamber for their dedication and commitment to the economic health and welfare of Santa Cruz County. On behalf of the Board — I say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and has been observed annually in the month of March in the USA since 1987. As you peruse social media posts as well as daily news stories, we read about many great women doing amazing things. Now as a man that was raised by a single mom from age 4 throughout my college years, I have the highest regard for women who raise a family, take care of kids and then find the ability to be business owners, executives of for-profit and nonprofit organizations, or those who take the public sector path where they are department heads, appointed or elected leaders. This is Women’s History Month and it is my privilege and honor to single out the Women of the Santa Cruz County Chamber who lead by example — the Chamber is stronger, better and bolder because of these women leaders.
Let me begin with our Chamber Women Board of Directors in alpha order:
Keisha Browder, CEO, United Way Santa Cruz County: Keisha leads multiple county-wide initiatives addressing issues from academic success to youth violence prevention and criminal justice reform. I could list her long resume of achievements; however, in three words I would describe Keisha with — Zest For Life!” — when she walks into a room she brings amazing energy to the group.
Kristin Fabos, Director of Marketing & Communications at Cabrillo College: Kristin is one of those quiet leaders who is deeply engaged in the Santa Cruz County community whether actively working to promote Cabrillo College, assuming leadership roles on civic organizations like the Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, and the Business Council, or her volunteer support of Second Harvest Food Bank. We are fortunate to have her as part of the Chamber Board.
Clara Flores, Senior Director, Supply Management at Poly: Clara joined the Board recently but it is her 40 years of corporate work at Plantronics (now Poly) where she has served in a variety of roles over her career. What strikes me when I talk with Clara is her compassion for her family first and foremost. A humble leader in her own right.
Bonnie Lipscomb, Director, Economic Development Department, City of Santa Cruz: Bonnie is a dynamo of positive energy leading her team at the City where she has fostered positive working relationships with other city departments, city council members and most importantly the business community in Santa Cruz. Bonnie is a humble leader in city government who shares her talents with numerous organizations throughout the region.
Morgan Lyng Lukina, Managing Broker, David Lyng Real Estate: Morgan is a leader in the Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors, former Realtor of the Year as well as serving local community boards such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters and United Way Santa Cruz. Foremost, she is a champion mother of two wonderful boys and a dedicated wife to former Board member, Greg Lukina.
Laura Marcus, CEO, Dientes Community Dental Care: Laura has devoted her career path to serve in nonprofits since 1997 first with an HIV/AIDS prevention project in South Africa, and as Executive Director of Human Care Alliance, VP of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance and an innovative leader helping serve our youth and other low-income residents with dental care needs.
Stephanie Munoz, Vice President/Co-Owner of BTF Enterprises and Shiela Locatelli-Wallace — Co-Owner of BTF Enterprises: We need to mention both of these women business owners who lead an Accredited Association Management Company that helps keep the Chamber running smoothly ensuring our event planning, back-office administrative work, payroll, financial management, website maintenance and a host of other duties that make the Chamber work for our members. We must also thank BTF team member and administrative phenom, Sedem Akposoe, who after 3+ years of excellent work is moving on this Spring to pursue her professional passion in the realm of international policy and development. Thank you for your immense support and best of luck, Sedem!
Tejal Sood, Managing Partner, General Manager, Bayside Properties/Hyatt Place: Tejal was raised in Santa Cruz in the hospitality industry as a young woman learning the family business from the ground up. She came to Santa Cruz in 1975 when her family had a little motel, the Ebbtide Motel on Riverside Avenue. The family has a few hotels in Santa Cruz and opened Hyatt Place a couple years back. As a life-long hotelier, she knows firsthand the invaluable impact the tourism industry has on Santa Cruz County’s economy. A true community leader.
Melissa Whatley, Executive Director, Government and Community Relations UCSC: Melissa Whatley is the Executive Director of Government and Community Relations at UC Santa Cruz. In this role Melissa is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with campus neighbors as well as elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels on behalf of UC Santa Cruz and providing leadership in developing and implementing programs as well as strategies to engage community and government leaders in support of campus priorities.
There are other women leaders in the Chamber who are known as Chamber Ambassadors and serve as the faces, eyes and ears of the Chamber at community events, business after hours mixers, and gala dinners. All business executives, owners, and community leaders in their own right, without a doubt, let's give a shout-out to our women ambassadors: Chris Maffia, Beverly Ritchey, Lora Allanson, Michele Bassi, Kathryn Hohl, Sara Horsley, Annika Kelsey, Aurora Lowe, Marlena Munoz, Beth Powanda, and Adele Talmadge.
And without further ado, let me recognize one more women leader — our very own Elana Solon, the Chamber’s Director of Memberships, Marketing and Events. In just over a year with the Chamber Elana has demonstrated an uncanny ability to take on every event, membership recruitment and retention and other projects as assigned with candor, humor and a bold vision to find success at every turn. Her leadership and passion for the chamber’s mission is on display every day at our events and behind the scenes where hard work makes a positive difference for our members.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let's give big applause to the Women of the Santa Cruz County Chamber for their dedication and commitment to the economic health and welfare of Santa Cruz County.
On behalf of the Board — I say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.