Saturday Conference WLC at a Glance

April 20, 2013 Saturday Conference WLC at a Glance...

8:30 am - Check-In Location: West Hollywood City Council Chambers and Auto Court Area

9:00 am - Continental Breakfast & Morning Mixer Exhibitor Tables Open! Location: West Hollywood City Council Chambers and Auto Court Area

9:30 am – 11:00 am - Opening Plenary Session Official Welcome from the West Hollywood City Council & invited guests Mayor Abbe Land Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico Councilmember John J. Duran Councilmember John Heilman Councilmember Jeffrey Prang

Keynote Address: “Unbind Your Heart – Free Your Spirit – Embrace Your Leadership” Agapi Stassinopoulos, Inspirational Speaker & Author, Unbinding The Heart Book signing to follow in the auto court. Books available for purchase courtesy of Barnes & Noble. Location: West Hollywood City Council Chambers

11:00 AM – 12:30 pm Workshops & Panels – Session I Location: Various, West Hollywood Library

“Dream, Set, and Achieve: Set Your Goals and Make It Happen!” 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Learn key goal setting techniques that can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Facilitator: Sahar Andrade, Sahar Consulting, LLC Location: West Hollywood Library Community Room

“How to Get Appointed to a City Board or Commission” (11:00 am – 11:45 am) Ever wonder about how you can become part of one of the City of West Hollywood’s Boards or Commissions and what exactly they do? Get the insider scoop from City appointed officials! Facilitator: Corey Schaffer, West Hollywood City Clerk Panelists: David Eichman, Transportation Commissioner Sam Borelli, Public Safety Commissioner Amy Walia-Fazio, Women’s Advisory Board Chair Location: West Hollywood Room, Library 2nd floor The Power of Mentorship: Learn How to Get the Life You Want Through Mentorship” (11:30 am – 12:30 pm) One of the most effective ways to achieve success in any arena is through the guidance of a mentor. Learn how to find and develop mentorship relationships throughout your life. Facilitator: Roz Helfand, Non-profit Organizations Consultant Location: West Hollywood Employment Services and Training- Library 1st floor

“50/50: Leadership, Equality, and Representation” ( 11:00 am – 12:30 pm ) What will it take for women to achieve full equality? A diverse group of female and male advocates will discuss these challenges from a variety of perspectives. They will examine the role and responsibility of both women and men to dynamically advance the rights of women and girls to achieve full equality and gender balance in all sectors of society. Moderator: Sheila Kuehl, Former California State Senator Panelists: Heidi Shink, Community Leader and West Hollywood Human Services Commissioner Kimberly Berglund, Director of Children’s Programming for PBS Kids Tal Peretz, Ph.D. Candidate in Sociology and Gender Studies, University of Southern California. Elana Pianko, Boardmember, National Women’s History Museum Stephen D. Simon, President, Stonewall Democratic Club duVergne Gaines, Legal Coordinator, Feminist Majority Foundation Gina Goodhill Rosen, Boardmember, National Women’s Political Caucus – LA Westside

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm - “Leadership Under Fire” - Keynote Leadership Luncheon The topic of women’s rights and leadership has been at the forefront of the public consciousness in the past year. Issues surrounding reproductive rights and health care, women in active combat, and domestic or sexual violence have found a central, and often contested, presence in our national conversation. These leaders will share their experiences and challenges they have faced in the course of their work and how they rose above critics and foes and other forces to become positive advocates for change and equality. Moderator: Mayor Abbe Land, City of West Hollywood Guest Speakers: Sandra Fluke, Social Justice Advocate and Attorney Patti Giggans, Executive Director, Peace Over Violence Chanchanit Martorell, Executive Director, Thai Community Development Center Location: West Hollywood Park Auditorium 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm - Networking Break Official West Hollywood Library Tour led by Linda Demmers, Friends of West Hollywood Library

Workshops & Panels – Session II

Location: Various, West Hollywood Library

“Effective Communication: Saying What You Mean and Achieving the Career You Want” (2:30 pm – 4:15 pm) What is your communication style? Do you advocate for yourself? Effective communication can greatly benefit your personal and professional life. Learn the importance of developing a professional presence and become a more confidant communicator! Facilitator: Helane Wilbourne, Wilbourne Consulting Group Location: West Hollywood Employment Services and Training- Library 1st floor

“How to Get Appointed to a City Board or Commission” (2:30 pm – 3:15 pm) Facilitator: Corey Schaffer, West Hollywood City Clerk Panelists: Donna Saur, Public Facilities Commissioner Reina Martinez, Women’s Advisory Board member Sue Sexton, Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board member Location: West Hollywood Room, Library 2nd floor

Entrepreneurship Intensive (2:15 pm – 4:15 pm) Panel discussion followed by breakouts

“Women Entrepreneurs: Making It Happen and You Can Too!” (2:15 pm -3:15 pm ) This panel of successful female entrepreneurs will give real world advice on how to succeed both professionally and personally. Experts from various fields will answer questions and provide valuable information and worthwhile resources you can use to grow your business and become successful in whatever career path you choose Moderator: Alaia Williams, One Organized Business and At the Helm: Women In Biz Panelists: Madelyn Alfano, Owner and President of Maria’s Italian Kitchen Mylena Christina, Owner, LIFT West Hollywood Merissa Grayson, The Law Office of Merissa V. Grayson Donna Queza and Nailah Blades, Donna & Nailah Consulting Denise Walker, Director of Business Development, Pivot HQ

Break Out Sessions: (3:30 pm - 4:15 pm)

“Your Network is Your Net Worth” If you are a solo entrepreneur or micro business owner, having a strong network is even more important to ensuring your business and financial success. In this breakout session, we’ll discuss why you should network, how to spot networking opportunities (both formal and informal), who you should be connecting with and how to connect authentically. Facilitator: Alaia Williams, One Organized Business Location: West Hollywood Park Auditorium

“Your Brand, Your Future” Brands are not just for big companies anymore! Learn how to create a solid personal branding toolkit to help you online and offline. Build your business, land your next dream job, or position yourself as an expert to get ahead of the competition and solidify your presence within your respective field. Facilitator: Donna Queza and Nailah Blades, Donna & Nailah Consulting Location: West Hollywood Park Auditorium

“Social Media- Social Networking for Success” Social media is still a rapidly growing and incredibly relevant way to grow your business and brand. In this workshop, we’ll cover the latest in social networking – including how to use wildly popular sites like Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+ to grow your business and reach as many individuals within and outside of your networks as you can. Facilitator: Tonya Cooke, Adler Integrated West Hollywood Library Community Room

“Using the Power of Storytelling and Media to Become an Agent of Change” (3:15 pm – 4:15 pm) A salon style discussion featuring clips from the bestselling book, PBS series and world-wide phenomenon, “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” along with shorts created by Global Girl Media and an introduction to transformational leadership. Facilitator: Losci Ferra, Thematic Campaign Manager - Women and Girls Lead, ITVS (Independent Television Services) Panelists: Brooke Christopher, Ambassador, Women For International and Teen Reps from Global Girl Media Location: West Hollywood City Council Chambers

4:15 pm – 5:00 pm - Closing Program: “Becoming Change: The Women’s Leadership Conference and You!” Wrap up your day in conversation with fellow conference attendees sharing experiences, networking, enjoying refreshments and more! Facilitator: Maya Paley, Director of Community Engagement and Special Programs at the National Council of Jewish Women/LA and Refugee Advocate Location: West Hollywood City Council Chambers and Auto Court Area

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 821 KENNETH HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATION 500 WEST TEMPLE STREET / LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012 (213) 974-3333 / FAX (213) 625-7360 / e-mail: [email protected]

ZEV YAROSLAVSKY SUPERVISOR, THIRD DISTRICT

April 19, 2013

City of West Hollywood 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard West Hollywood, California 90069

Dear Mayor Prang, Councilmembers and Friends:

On behalf of the entire Board of Supervisors, I’m pleased to offer my greetings to everyone in attendance for this year’s 7th Annual West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference. This year’s theme – Unlimited Opportunities: Knowledge, Power, Community – exemplifies the conference mission of giving women the means and the motivation to become successful leaders in their personal and public lives.

Beginning with an opening event featuring Geena Davis and a special screening of the Oscar-nominated “Invisible War,” this promises to be a stimulating and memorable weekend for attendees. My congratulations to the conference organizers and planners for putting everything together, and my best to all participants for another rewarding and inspiring experience.

Sincerely,

ZEV YAROSLAVSKY Supervisor, Third District

April 19, 2013

West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference 8300 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069

Dear Friends:

It is my honor to welcome you to the City of West Hollywood’s 7th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference, “Unlimited Opportunities: Knowledge. Power. Community.”

This Leadership Conference supports and encourages women to embrace the challenges of today’s world. We are currently at a watershed moment for women in our country; unless we are vigilant, the hard fought gains in gender equality might very well be rolled back. By empowering women to take on the mantle of leadership, we not only strengthen those women, but our community as a whole.

I would like to thank the City of West Hollywood for its vision and dedication. It is my hope that this generation of leaders inspires the next to be prepared for whatever challenges might lie ahead.

Best wishes to all in attendance today!

Sincerely,  ADAM B. SCHIFF Member of Congress

April 19, 2013

Dear Friends:

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 7th Annual West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference: Unlimited Opportunities-Knowledge. Power. Community. This exciting conference has become a much-anticipated tradition that empowers women to be leaders in their personal lives, at work and in the community.

The screening of the award-winning documentary “The Invisible War,” panel discussion, and keynote address by Geena Davis are certain to make this year’s conference extra special. I commend the City of West Hollywood, the local organizational partners and everyone involved in making this wonderful event possible.

Best wishes for an inspiring and memorable conference!

Sincerely,

TED W. LIEU Senator, 28th District

Saturday’s Conference Day

Opening Plenary Session Keynote Address: “Unbind Your Heart – Free Your Spirit – Embrace Your Leadership”

Agapi Stassinopoulos (Keynote) Inspirational Speaker and Author, Unbinding The Heart Agapi Stassinopoulos is the author of the best-selling book: Unbinding The Heart – 32 stories of lessons and wisdoms of her life. She was born and raised in Athens, Greece. At age 18, she entered the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. She moved to the United States to do film and television, and later attended the University of the Santa Monica, where she completed her Master’s in Psychology. While she was collaborating with her sister, Arianna Huffington, on her book on the Gods of Greece, Agapi’s love for the gods and goddesses was ignited, which led to two books of her own – Conversations with the Goddesses and Gods and Goddesses in Love – as well as a one-woman show and a PBS special. She also coproduced and cohosted a documentary called “Quest for the Gods,” shot on location in Greece. Agapi has been invited to speak at numerous international events and global conferences, and has also speaks about health and well-being for The Spirit of Women organization, which represents hundreds of hospitals around the country. Also, an inspiring teacher, Agapi speaks worldwide to both men and women, empowering them to recognize their individual gifts and create the lives they want. She is a frequent blogger for The Huffington Post.

“Dream, Set, and Achieve: Set Your Goals and Make It Happen!”

Sahar Andrade Founder, Sahar Consulting, LLC Sahar Andrade, MB.BCh is a Diversity, Leadership & Culture Competence Speaker/ Consultant, certified both as an E-marketer and Social Media Strategist. Sahar speaks 5 languages. She developed her signature program D.I.A.L.O.G.™ She is a Board member at NAAAHR- LA. She holds a Double Bachelors of Medicine, and Surgery, minor in Psychiatry from Cairo University; and successfully completed a Mastery of HR Studies Certificate Program. She has appeared multiple times on nationally syndicated radio like 1100 AM KFNX news radio, as well as blog talk radio programs. She gave speeches at USC campus, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State San Bernardino, SBA (Small Business Administration), LA Convention Center, and the Woodbury University, she also spoke at many conferences locally, in Canada and overseas. She published a white paper about Cultural Competence. She has been featured as an SME (Subject Matter Expert) numerous times in many National magazines’ articles as: Diversity Executive, and Diversity Bar. She authors a column on Technorati “Diversity Café.” Her current clients’ list include government agencies, public utilities, non-profits, recruiting companies, healthcare and educational organizations as well chambers of commerce, Sahar Andrade is the founder of “Sahar Consulting, LLC”

“How to Get Appointed to a City Board or Commission” (morning session)

Corey Shaffer (Facilitator) City Clerk, City of West Hollywood Corey joined the City of West Hollywood in 2002. Prior to being appointed City Clerk, Corey served as the Assistant City Clerk for 6 years. Corey is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and lived in the Bay Area for a decade before coming to Southern California. David Mason Eichman (Panelist) Transportation Commissioner, City of West Hollywood David Mason Eichman is a business and real estate attorney in West Hollywood who also prepares wills, powers of attorney and advance health care directives. He graduated from Dartmouth College (cum laude) in 1983 and Northwestern University School of Law in 1988. David has been a member of the West Hollywood Transportation Commission since 1994 and also serves on the Board of Governors of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. He is also President of the Dartmouth Club of Los Angeles and served as Co-President of the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association of Los Angeles.

Sam Borelli (Panelist) Public Safety Commissioner, City of West Hollywood In 2003, Sam Borelli was unanimously appointed to the West Hollywood Public Safety Commission. During his tenure as chair, he led the creation of the inaugural Public Safety Education Campaign; Live, Work, Play: Be Safe. Sam participates in numerous Neighborhood Watch meetings to listen to residents’ concerns and work to develop lasting solutions to their challenges. Sam Borelli is a Management & Communications Consultant with clients in the Healthcare, Non-profit and Entertainment Industries.

Amy Walia-Fazio (Panelist) Chair, West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board Amy Walia-Fazio currently serves as Chair of the Women’s Advisory Board for the City of West Hollywood. She also sits on the board of the Parents Education League of Los Angeles (PEL), a non-profit parenting and advisory organization. Amy is passionate about issues affecting women and girls and she has spent much of her professional career teaching young girls in school settings. Amy has spent over 12 years teaching English in schools across the nation; she has also served in numerous administrative roles.

“The Power of Mentorship: Learn How to Get the Life You Want Through Mentorship”

Rosalind Helfand (Facilitator) Non-profit Consultant Rosalind Helfand collaborates with non-profit and government organizations to connect communities, develop programs, and address local and global issues with creativity and innovation. Rosalind has worked with organizations in fields spanning human rights, to arts and literature, to the environment. Rosalind is responsible for co-founding and leading the development of such prestigious Southern California regional programs as the award-winning West Hollywood Book Fair and the West Hollywood Human Rights Speakers Series. She helped to develop the West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference and USC’s Masters in International Public Policy & Management internship program. She’s facilitated organizational development for non-profits including the San Fernando Valley HIV & AIDS Care Providers Consortium, New Filmmakers Los Angeles, and West Hollywood College Preparatory School. Rosalind is currently developing innovative educational programs for New Filmmakers Los Angeles, and serves on the Board of Directors for the new non-profit that transforms classroom education with live game-based educational experiences, Seekers Unlimited. Additionally, she is the Managing Editor on the team of the on-line literary journal and resource for middle and high school educators, Literature for Life. In addition to consulting for organizations, Rosalind is a speaker and teacher. Her teaching experience spans the university, high school, and pre-school levels, for which she also developed original curricula. “50/50: Leadership, Equality, and Representation”

Sheila Kuehl (Facilitator) Former CA State Senator Sheila James Kuehl served eight years in the State Senate and six years in the State Assembly, and, in 2008, left the legislature under California’s term limits statute. She is the President of Kuehl Consulting, and serves as Founding Director of the Public Policy Institute at Santa Monica College. She has produced a series of cable shows for the City of West Hollywood, drafted Model State Codes of Discrimination and Bullying for the Williams Institute at the UCLA Law School and consulted on a variety of public policy issues. During the 1997-98 legislative session, she was the first woman in California history to be named Speaker pro Tempore of the Assembly. She is also the first openly gay or lesbian person to be elected to the California Legislature. In her fourteen years in the State Legislature, Sen. Kuehl authored 171 bills that were signed into law, including legislation to establish paid family leave, establish the rights contained in Roe vs. Wade in California statute, overhaul California’s child support services system; establish nurse to patient ratios in every hospital; require that housing developments of more than 500 units have identified sources of water; further protect domestic violence victims and their children; prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender and disability in the workplace and sexual orientation in education; increase the rights of crime victims; safeguard the environment and drinking water; and many, many others. She was selected to address the 1996 Democratic National Convention on the issue of family violence and the 2000 Democratic National Convention on the issue of diversity. Senator Kuehl graduated from Harvard Law School in 1978 where she was the second woman in the school’s history to win the Moot Court competition. She served on the Harvard University Board of Overseers from 1998 to 2005.

Kimberly Berglund (Panelist) Director of Children’s Programming, PBS Kids Kim Berglund is the Programming Content and Curriculum Director for Ready To Learn at PBS. In this capacity, she oversees content development on multiple media platforms, working closely with content producers on all creative elements. Kim is the principal creative executive for award-winning series, including Super Why!, Martha Speaks, The Electric Company, Dinosaur Train, and upcoming preschool series Peg + Cat. She also serves as the PBS Kids curriculum expert and provides guidance on whether the content and curriculum accurately reflect the show’s premise and learning objectives. Additionally, she has developed the Ready To Learn Curriculum Frameworks for early childhood literacy and mathematics. In 2004, Kim served as a Development Associate at Walt Disney Television Animation, where she was heavily involved in the development of many projects, including Disney’s The Buzz on Maggie and Playhouse Disney’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She got her start in children’s programming at Boston’s WGBH, where she worked on the long-running series, ZOOM. Before entering the entertainment industry, Kim was a 2nd grade teacher at Milton Academy in Milton, MA. Kim graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and received her Masters in Technology, Innovation, and Education at Harvard University. She resides in Palo Alto with her husband and two kids.

Stephen David Simon (Panelist) President, Stonewall Democratic Club Stephen David Simon is a Principal in the Los Angeles office of The Raben Group, specializing in policy development, strategic planning, coalition building, grass-tops campaigns, political counsel and strategic communications. This is a natural extension of his career in law and progressive public policy. Simon devoted eight years as the AIDS Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles. The City’s fifth AIDS Coordinator since 1989, he was responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of City HIV/AIDS policies and programs, advising the Mayor and City Council on HIV/AIDS issues, and development of City initiatives to fund prevention activities and support services for people living with HIV. Stephen was a founding attorney of the HIV & AIDS Legal Services Alliance (HALSA), and served as Associate Director, Government Affairs for AIDS Project Los Angeles. Stephen is currently President of Stonewall Democratic Club, an Executive Board member of the Jordan Rustin Coalition, Chair of Public Policy for the Los Angeles County HIV Commission, an advisory board member for Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, and a member of the community advisory board for the National Minority AIDS Coalition (NMAC). Mr. Simon received his Juris Doctorate and Bachelor’s degrees at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Elana Pianko (Panelist) Boardmember, National Women’s History Museum Elana Pianko joined Morgan Stanley to pioneer the creation of socially responsible financial investment strategies for high net worth clients, corporations and foundations. Elana sits on the Advisory Council for Morgan Stanley Investment with Impact and has earned her Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor designation. Her key clients are women business owners, socially responsible investors, domestic partners, foundations and corporations. As a leading authority in the field of Socially Responsible Investing, Elana is frequently invited to speak on the subject of Investing with ImpactIn addition to her tremendous work for Morgan Stanley, Elana is a member of the Board of the National Women’s History Museum and is the chair of the Los Angeles Council for the Museum. Elana also sits on the board for Earth Protect and is a member of the National Organization of Women Business Owners, Women’s Leadership Exchange, Step Up Women’s Network, Global Green USA and the Sustainable Business Council. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Elana produced seven feature films, as well as several music videos for Sony Music, one of which garnered her a Telly Award. Elana Pianko is a proud alumnus of Sarah Lawrence College.

Heidi Shink (Panelist) Community Leader and West Hollywood Human Services Commissioner Heidi Shink is a community leader and political activist with more than twenty years advocating for women, LGBT, environmental, and union rights. Heidi is a Commissioner for Human Services in the City of West Hollywood; Vice President of Communications for the Stonewall Democratic Club; Advocacy Board member for the National Council of Jewish Women; and Board member of the Victory Fund’s Campaign Board, Liberty Hill’s Community Funding Board, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and Democrats For Israel. Running as a candidate for the first time in early 2013, Heidi was elected to the California Democratic Party’s State Central Committee and as first alternate to the Party’s Executive Board. In April 2013, United States Congressman Adam Schiff will present Heidi with the Congressional “Women of the Year Award.” In addition to her political life, Heidi has had an eclectic professional career. Heidi became a Senior Producer at the E! Entertainment Network, where she wrote and directed their hit biography series while developing the first incarnation of E! On-Line. She used her Social Media expertise to launch Cher.com, which quickly became one of the most profitable celebrity e-commerce sites on the web. A New Media consultant and speechwriter, Heidi hosts “The Shink Tank: Real Politics for Real People” on LATALKLIVE and was recently added as a writer for the Huffington Post Gay Voices.

Gina Goodhill Rosen (panelist) Boardmember, National Women’s Political Caucus – LA Westside Gina sits on the board of the National Women’s Political Caucus LA Westside, a multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process and creating a women’s political power base to achieve equality for all women. In addition to her role with NWPC, Gina is the Policy Associate for Global Green USA, a non-profit environmental organization focused on greening the built environment. Prior to Global Green, Gina spent three years as an environmental advocate and organizer for Environment California working on ocean and land preservation. She has been quoted in various news publications, including the Los Angeles Times, NPR, MSNBC, The New York Times, and many others. She has also worked on several political campaigns, such as the 2008 Presidential election, for which she directed offices throughout Nevada for the Progressive Future organization. Gina graduated magna cum laude from USC with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Environmental Studies. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, cooking, shopping at farmers markets, canvassing for political campaigns, and volunteering with the UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Center. duVergne Gaines (Panelist) Legal Coordinator, Feminist Majority Foundation duVergne Gaines graduated with a J.D. from Loyola Law School. As a law student, Gaines received recognition for excellence in federal and state constitutional law. Gaines has helped direct FMF’s campus- based campaigns to defeat anti-abortion ballot measures in California, Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. She also serves as the legal coordinator for the National Clinic Access Project. Prior to law school, Gaines co-directed the FMF’s benefit concert series Rock for Choice for seven years and gained extensive national experience as a campus field organizer for clinic defense and the Iowa ERA Campaign.

Tal Peretz (Panelist) Ph.D. Candidate in Sociology and Gender Studies at the University of Southern California. Tal Peretz, a doctoral candidate in sociology and gender studies at the University of Southern California, endeavors in his research and activism to engage men in ending sexism. His scholarship on men, masculinities, and feminism has been published in the Journal of Men and Masculinities, the edited volume Men Speak Out: Views on Gender, Sex, and Power, VoiceMale magazine, and popular and activist/ professional newsletters. For the past decade he has volunteered with domestic violence shelters, rape crisis hotlines, and men’s groups working to end sexual violence and promote healthy masculinities. His dissertation uses intersectionality and social formation theories to investigate how social location affects Black, Muslim, and gay/queer men’s gender justice groups.

Leadership Under Fire – Keynote Leadership Luncheon

Sandra Fluke Attorney and Social Justice Advocate Sandra Kay Fluke is a Georgetown Law School graduate and women’s rights activist. In February 2012 she came to attention in the United States when Republicans refused to allow her to testify to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the importance of requiring insurance plans to cover birth control during a discussion on whether insurance should have a contraception mandate. She later spoke to only House Democratic members. Fluke has supported President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, and was a featured speaker at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. She co-founded the New York Statewide Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court which successfully advocated for legislation granting access to civil orders of protection for unmarried victims of domestic violence, including LGBTQ victims and teens. She is the 2011 recipient of the Women Lawyers of Los Angeles’ Fran Kandel Public Interest Grant, which supported her production of a video on how to take out a restraining order. She also represented numerous victims of domestic violence and human trafficking and also worked to help child victims of domestic human trafficking in Kenya. Sandra Fluke graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2012 and served as president of Georgetown Law Students for Reproductive Justice.

Patti Giggans Executive Director, Peace Over Violence Patricia Giggans has been the Executive Director of Peace Over Violence since 1985. Peace Over Violence, founded in 1971 deals with the issues of violence against women, youth and children focusing not only on crisis intervention but primary prevention and social change through community activism. Giggans is the co-author of What Parents Need to Know About Teen Dating Violence, (Seal Press, 1995) 50 Ways To A Safer World, (Seal Press, Spring 1997), In Touch With teens: A Teen Relationship Violence Prevention Curriculum; Women’s Self-Defense: The Complete Guide to Assault Prevention and Self: Defense :Women Teaching Women: An Instructor’s Manual. Among numerous awards and recognition, Patti was the recipient of the Durfee Foundation Sabbatical Award in 1998, the Eureka Communities Fellow in 2000, The California Wellness Foundation Peace Prize in 2004, and the Stanton Fellowship in 2012. Patti has been named “Woman of the Year” by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women in 2002 and was appointed to the City of LA’s CEDAW Task Force. She was one of the key initiators of the Sexual Assault Victims DNA Bill of Rights signed into California Law in 2003. Giggans was also founder and past chair of the Los Angeles Sexual Assault Coordinating Council (LACSAC) and founding board member of The California Partnership To End Domestic Violence. She has been active in violence against women and violence prevention issues for more than 35 years and is considered a national expert on sexual, domestic violence, teen dating violence and prevention.

Chanchanit Martorell Executive Director, Thai Community Development Center On February 8, 2012, Chanchanit Martorell received a letter from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand informing her that she had been selected to receive a Royal Decoration for her sacrifices and years of service to the Thai community abroad. Engaged in social activism for the past 20 years, Martorell is currently the Executive Director of the Thai Community Development Center, a non-profit organization she founded in 1994 in an effort to improve the lives of Thai immigrants through services that promote cultural adjustment and economic self-sufficiency. During Thailand’s military coup of 1992, she mobilized the Thai community in Southern California to protest the atrocities committed by the military junta against civilian demonstrators in Bangkok. She is known most notably for her work on several major human rights cases involving over 400 Thai victims of human trafficking who were discovered working in conditions of slavery in the United States. Dedicated to social and economic justice, she actively serves in a variety of capacities in a number of community/immigrant/labor rights organizations with local, national and global concerns, including the California Community Foundation Council on Immigrant Integration, Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, the Labor Community Services Program, and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. On September 28, 2005, she was confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council as Commissioner for the Central Area Planning Commission upon being appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and is currently serving her second term as Vice Chair.

Abbe Land Moderator, Mayor of West Hollywood A resident of West Hollywood since 1979, Mayor Abbe Land has played an instrumental role in West Hollywood since its inception, where she was part of the successful campaign to make West Hollywood an independent city in 1984. Councilmember Land was appointed to the City’s first Planning Commission in 1985. In 1986, when a council seat was vacated mid-term, she was elected to the City Council for her first term. She served with distinction as a Councilmember and Mayor until 1997, when she did not seek another term. In 2003, Mayor Land returned to public service when she was once again elected to the City Council, and was re-elected in 2007 and in 2011. She has served four previous terms as Mayor of West Hollywood (1989-90, 1994-95, 2005-2006, 2009- 2010). In addition to her service as an elected official, Mayor Land serves as the executive director and chief executive officer of The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. She previously served as the co-chief executive officer of The Saban Free Clinic -- formerly known as the Los Angeles Free Clinic – a leading safety-net provider in the Los Angeles area, providing free medical and dental care, counseling, HIV testing, health education, prenatal care and wellness programs for thousands of uninsured men, women and children. Widely known for her leadership on women’s issues, LGBT rights and civil liberties, Land was instrumental in creating the City’s Women’s and Disability Advisory Boards, and led a delegation to the 2004 March for Women’s Lives in Washington, DC. She currently serves on the board of Women Against Gun Violence, the California Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, and the L.A. County Department of Health Services’ Women’s Health Policy Council.

“How to Get Appointed to a City Board or Commission” (afternoon session)

Donna Saur (Panelist) Public Facilities Commissioner, City of West Hollywood Donna became involved in the city in 1986 as an Neighborhood Watch Captain. She then became a member of the East Side Task Force on Crime and was beneficial in curbing crime and prostitution on the east side of West Hollywood. In 1990 she was named Crime Fighter of the Year. In 1992 Donna was appointed to the Public Safety Commission and served for six years. In 1996 she was elected to the Project Area Committee to oversee redevelopment of the east side of West Hollywood,. In 1999 she became a City Council Deputy for the late Councilman, Sal Guarriello and continued working for the city until 2010 when she was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently cancer free and serves on the Public Facilities Commissioner. Donna resides on the east side of WeHo with her husband Gene and her cat Molly.

Reina Martinez (Panelist) Member, West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board Reina (Reinita) G. Martinez is a Feminist, Survivor of Domestic Violence, Member of the Women’s Advisory Board, Executive Committee Member on Community Outreach for Hollywood N.O.W. and a Member of the Advocacy Committee at the National Council of Jewish Women LA. In 2007, she graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s College with a BA in Political Science with Minors in Pre-Law and International Relations and was recipient of the Ronald J. Oard Award from the Political Science Department. While working on her Masters degree in 2008, it was during an amazing internship with the City of West Hollywood City Council Offices that she became involved with Hollywood N.O.W. Both the Internship experience in such a politically active City and affiliation with Hollywood NOW that became ultimate sources greatly motivating her to become an advocate to empower women and young girls and outspoken on women’s reproductive justice, LGBTQ and human rights.

Sue Sexton (Panelist) Member, West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board LGBT activist, Sue Sexton, is a videographer who also works in the banking industry. She currently co-chairs The Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board of The City of West Hollywood, is the Secretary for Christopher Street West/LA PRIDE. Her past volunteer experience includes working with LEX: The Lesbian Exploratorium, Butch Voices LA, the ALMS Conference, On These Shoulders We Stand, the No on Prop 8 Campaign, The Tweakers Project, The Lesbian Visibility Committee and Outfest. “Effective Communication: Saying What You Mean and Achieving the Career You Want”

Helane Wilbourne Founder, Wilbourne Consulting Group Helane Wilbourne is a human resources consultant and business coach successfully helping individuals and businesses achieve their career goals and optimize performance, which is why she loves her practice. Helane has over 20 years of experience in the field of human resources and business operations. She has worked in a variety of business sectors including retail management (Bullock’s Department Stores/Macy’s), retail operations (Bullock’s Department Stores/Macy’s), non-profit and manufacturing (Mars, Inc.-Kal Kan Petcare, Uncle Ben’s Rice, M&M/ Mars-Candy Company). Helane earned her baccalaureate from UCLA and Masters in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She has a Senior Professional Human Resource certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and is an active member and volunteer in the following organizations: the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), Junior League of Los Angeles and the UCLA Alumni Association. Helane is also an adjunct professor at a local college.

“Women Entrepreneurs: Making It Happen and You Can Too!”

Alaia Williams (Facilitator) Founder, At The Helm Alaia works with business owners and professionals who are ready to grow their businesses and enhance their careers. Since she was a teenager, Alaia has had a passion for improving herself and the world around her. Blending that passion, her enthusiasm for technology, and her experience with small business systems and processes, she focuses on helping clients get things done. Alaia helps her client’s businesses become more organized, efficient, and effective so that they can thrive. In addition to her consulting work, Alaia also founded and currently runs The Entrepreneur Connection, a networking group for entrepreneurs and small business owners, and At the Helm: Women in Biz, a women’s business conference.

Madelyn Alfano (Panelist) Owner and President, Maria’s Italian Kitchen A native of Hoboken, New Jersey, Madelyn worked in her parent’s Italian deli while still a young girl. After graduating from UCLA in 1979, Madelyn worked at her parents’ Village Mart in Brentwood, Calif., with the vision of opening a true sit down “Trattoria” like those found in rural Italy. In l985, she opened her first Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks, Calif. With headquarters in Van Nuys, Calif., and more than 400 employees, Maria’s Italian Kitchen is among the leading privately owned restaurant chains in the state. Today, there are 10 Maria’s Italian Kitchens. With every community Madelyn joins, she offers healthy, quality food with hospitable service in a casual yet elegant and friendly atmosphere. In addition, she is an active professional, serving as a board member of both the Statewide California Restaurant Association and past president of its Los Angeles Chapter. She is past resident of the Los Angeles Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles (NAWBO LA), and in 2002 was invited to become a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. She is currently a panelist and member of the CNBC Small Business Council.

Madelyn has been on the list of Top 50 Women Business Owners in Los Angeles for the past 10 years and in 2004, was chosen as one of the Top 25 Enterprising Women in Los Angeles. In 2007, the L.A. Business Journal named her Business Owner/CEO of the Year at its annual Women Making a Difference Award. In 2011, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus named Madelyn Alfano Woman of the Year at the State Capitol and on June 7, 2011, the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce named her the Women in Business Champion of the Year. UCLA has honored her with their Community Service Award for 2011 and Maria’s Italian Kitchen was awarded the L.A. Times Readers Choice 2011 Best Italian Restaurant. In 2012, Madelyn received the Women of Inspiration Award from Shane’s Inspiration was chosen as NAWBO LA’s 2012 Woman Business Owner of the Year.

Mylena Christina (Panelist) Owner, LIFT West Hollywood As a re-invented fitness entrepreneur since 2003, Mylena has used her nearly 20 years of sales and sales management background with blue chip technology firms to remain in the forefront of this competitive field. Her experience cultivating profitable business relationships with Fortune 500 companies in Los Angeles and Chicago has honed her innate skills to personally connect with an array of gym clients and community contacts to grow her business. Mylena actively engages with the City of West Hollywood, where she also resides. Mylena is proud to serve as First Vice-Chair West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as well as sit on the board of the city’s destination marketing organization, Visit West Hollywood. Now certified as a personal trainer, Mylena inspires the gym and those around her with her effervescent attitude and energetic positivity. She finds the drive to help new people with personal fitness challenges from the gratification of knowing she is making a significant difference in their lives by inspiring them to feel better about themselves at any age. Mylena is the proud owner of LIFT West Hollywood (previously TRAIN West Hollywood) on the corner of La Cienega and Melrose, in the heart of the city.

Donna Queza (Panelist) Founder, Donna & Nailah Consulting Donna Queza is a marketing strategist who guides businesses through the marketing process and helps them execute their online tactics. With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s degree in Internet Marketing, Donna combines well-written, thought-provoking content with strategic online communications for a polished package. Her background is in non-profit and medical marketing, but she has expanded her reach to include a number of lifestyle products. She has written everything from complex blog posts about cancer to fun updates from baby brands. She’s a voice for her clients – no matter who they are. In 2010, she was invited to speak about “Making Time for Social Media in the Workplace” at the Health Science Communications Association International Conference in St. Louis. Since then, she’s been featured on Yahoo! Education; Young, Fabulous and Self-employed Magazine; and as a contributor on a number of industry blogs.

Nailah Blades (Panelist) Founder, Donna & Nailah Consulting Nailah Blades is a business strategist and big picture thinker who helps executives and entrepreneurs power through challenges so that they can create sustainable, innovative businesses and strategic plans. She’s been featured and/or mentioned on Forbes, Blog Talk Radio, and Young Female Entrepreneur. She speaks regularly at women’s entrepreneur and leadership events, spreading her passion for all things personal and professional development.

Merissa Grayson (Panelist) Principal Attorney, The Law Office of Merissa V. Grayson Merissa V. Grayson is the principal attorney at The Law Office of Merissa V. Grayson, a firm that specializes in helping individuals and their families find legal solutions. Her firm focuses on Family Law, Criminal Defense, and Small Business & Entertainment. Merissa believes that life is about the pursuit of happiness. As a wife, mother of 3 children, and an Entrepreneur herself, she understands that pursuing your dreams can be challenging, liberating, and scary at the same time. The Small Business & Entertainment division of the firm helps those pursuing entrepreneurship or a career in the entertainment industry make choices that are best for them to ensure that their career and/or business is fully protected and aligned with their objectives.

Denise Walker (Panelist) Business Development Director, Pivot HQ Denise Walker is the Business Development Director at Pivot HQ, a full-service consulting firm for tech and startup companies. Walker has won 4 consecutive tech/startup competitions in the past year including 1st Place at Startup Weekend Los Angeles, 1st Place at Startup Weekend San Diego, 1st Place for best use of Cloud Architect at AT&T Mobile App Hackathon and 1st Place at AT&T Mobile App Hackathon for No Texting and Driving. She is currently working on startup project with her 11-year old daughter that has been featured on many news outlets including, Huffington Post, VentureBeat and LA Times. Walker is a tech writer for a well known Los Angeles tech news blog, TechZulu. She often writes about cool startups, tech news and amazing tech events. Denise is a proud Trojan, with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration and concentration in Entrepreneurship from USC. She loves learning from new experiences and from brilliant minds. Denise enjoys salsa dancing and drinking boba!

“Social Media, Success, and Yourself”

Tonya Cooke (Facilitator) Head of Live Events and Platforms, Adler Integrated As the Social Media Manager of The Roxy Theatre, Tonya managed to take the largest social network of any music venue in the world to a one stop source for music and lifestyle. After graduating from California State University Fullerton in 2008, Tonya made her first footprint at Universal Music Group working with the heads of Digital Music Distribution. She cut her social teeth while at The Comedy Store where the early adoption of Tumblr and Foursquare put her front and center in the practical application of online models into IRL results. As the voice of The Roxy, Tonya has written multiple articles on music, bands, and innovative uses of social media for the site What’s Trending.

“Using the Power of Storytelling and Media to Become an Agent of Change”

Losci Ferra (Facilitator) Thematic Campaign Manager, Independent Television Services (ITVS) Locsi Ferra is an established engagement professional with a successful track record for large scale campaign coordination and management of advocacy and awareness programs with organizations such as Amnesty International USA and grass-roots agency La Casa de las Madres. In addition to serving as steering committee member for the Ginetta Sagan Fund for women and children for over 5 years, Locsi has contributed to building programs for vulnerable populations with the American Red Cross and international women’s development projects where she has worked as a Gender Consultant for UNFPA in Nepal and Spanish INGO, Paz y Desarollo in Vietnam. She holds a master’s degree in Gender and Development from the University of Sussex, UK and is currently working as Campaign Manager for the multi-year public media initiative Women and Girls Lead with ITVS. Locsi brings a strong commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality and believes in the power of one volunteer!

Brooke Christopher (Panelist) Ambassador at Women for Women International Los Angeles native Brooke Christopher is Director of Philanthropic Integration at Enlightened.org, a social shopping destination whose mission is to integrate philanthropy into everyday life. In her post, Brooke is responsible for creating branded marketing campaigns for non-profits nationwide. Brooke started her career in cause marketing as a producer, creating life-affirmative an transformational content across television, film, and multi-media platforms. Through producing short films and media for various non-profits including Next Aid, Wells Bring Hope, and the Artivist Film Festival (Artist +Activist= Artivist), her aim became clear: to expand social awareness. Brooke also serves as an ambassador for Women For Women International, a non-profit that empowers women survivors of war.

Imani Crenshaw (Panelist) Edith Romero (Panelist)

“Becoming Change: The Women’s Leadership Conference and You”

Maya Paley (Facilitator) Maya Paley is Director of Community Engagement and Special Programs at the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles. Maya also organizes legislative action for NCJW/LA and organizes members and supporters to lobby for policy change. Maya is a Los Angeles native who earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UC Berkeley and her Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University. She has run college and career preparation programs for teenage girls in the inner-city of Los Angeles, worked on empowerment programs for sex workers in Guatemala City, and researched the effects of anti-human trafficking and domestic violence legislation in Tbilisi, Georgia. In August 2010, Maya moved to Tel Aviv as a New Israel Fund/ Shatil Social Justice Fellow. Through the fellowship, Maya researched the experiences and coping mechanisms of asylum seekers from Sudan and Eritrea who are living in Israel. Her research culminated in the publication of two reports in a series titled “Surviving in Limbo.” Her project was the first in-depth research on African asylum seekers in Israel. Maya co-founded the international coalition Right Now: Advocates for African Asylum Seekers in Israel in July 2012, which advocates to the Israeli government for fair and just refugee policies in Israel. Maya is a dedicated advocate for women’s and refugee rights both at home and abroad. Thank you

West Hollywood City Council Mayor Abbe Land Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico Councilmember John J. Duran Councilmember John Heilman Councilmember Jeffrey Prang

Honorary Board California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls California Women Lead Feminist Majority Foundation Ms. Magazine Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute Nation Women’s History Museum Peace Over Violence Office of California Assemblymember Richard Bloom

Organizational Partners Hollywood NOW The June L. Mazar Lesbian Archives Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival National Council of Jewish Women/LA National Women’s Political Caucus - LA Chapter Sojourn Services for Battered Women and their Children Sunset Strip Business Association Visit West Hollywood West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board West Hollywood Transgender Advisory Board West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board JVS/WHEST (Jewish Vocational Services/West Hollywood Employment Services and Training) Women in Film WIRE (Center for Women’s Interdisciplinary Research and Education at Claremont Graduate University) Women at Work Steering Committee Angela Brinskele Amy Walia-Fazio Anne Marie Williams Genevieve Morrill Betsy Johnson Linda Redman Lindsey Horvath Ruth Williams Kristen Trzcinski Karmen Beck Larissa Fooks John Erickson Kiran Hashmi Fran Solomon Corri Planck