Leadership Pasadena's 2025 Impact Awards

With our Presenting Sponsor DINE Brands, we were proud to hold the first-ever Impact Awards to celebrate the extraordinary individuals and organizations shaping the greater Pasadena and Altadena community. This uplifting luncheon honored those who stepped up in the wake of the devastating Eaton Fire and highlighted the role they’ve played in helping the community recover and rebuild.

The event took place Wednesday, October 29, 11:30am - 1:30pm at The Shakespeare Club in Pasadena.
See the Event Program.
View the Photo Gallery.

Meet the Awardees

Edgar McGregor, Keynote Speaker & Claire & Bill Bogaard Community Leadership Award Honoree: Leadership Pasadena has selected local meteorologist Edgar McGregor to serve as keynote speaker of the event. Mr. McGregor played a crucial role in ensuring Altadena residents had up-to-date weather warnings and reliable information around the Eaton Fire. Due to his warnings about windy conditions before the fire began, many community members were on high alert and able to respond quickly as the situation escalated - undoubtedly saving countless lives and preventing further tragedy.

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Brandon Lamar: As the President of the Pasadena NAACP and Vice-Chair of the Pasadena Rental Housing Board, Brandon D. Lamar is a force for change, a bold visionary whose life’s work is dedicated to justice, equity, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. When the Eaton Fire broke out, Brandon led the DENA Relief Drive, partnering with local organizations like the Flintridge Center to distribute more than $30,000 in gift cards and provide access to immediate mental health support. ​

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Flintridge Center: Based in La Cañada, the Flintridge Center is a longstanding community-based organization that supports individuals returning home from incarceration, and provides youth programming intended to prevent or divert young people from the criminal justice system. In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Flintridge worked in partnership with several community organizations and leaders to operate a donation and distribution site for the DENA Relief Drive. Since then, Flintridge has been able to raise and distribute almost $700,000 in direct financial assistance to fire survivors.

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Pamela Cantero-More: Pamela Cantero-More is a dedicated public servant and community advocate with a passion for equity, accessibility, and lifelong civic engagement. As the Recreation & Community Services Superintendent for the City of Pasadena, she leads a wide range of programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents of all ages. In swift response to the Eaton Fire, Pamela and her team opened the doors to the Emergency Evacuation Shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center to those who needed refuge. It was the first place to open its doors and it bridged a critical gap for the Pasadena and Altadena community until the services of the shelter could be transitioned to the Red Cross and its partners. ​

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Jill Hawkins: Jill Hawkins was born and raised in Pasadena, California.  She is the owner of MHPevents, a full-service event management firm. Jill has been an active member in The John Muir High School Alumni Association and spends her time volunteering with organizations in her home-town community, Pasadena, CA including the Tournament of Roses as a “White Suiter.” She is one of the founding leaders of the Eaton Fire Collaborative, which mobilized quickly in January 2025 in an effort to formally bring together community groups, local nonprofits, city, county, and state officials dedicated to helping those affected.

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Darryl Qualls: Retired Deputy Police Chief Darryl Qualls has dedicated his life to issues of equity and inclusion for nearly 30 years. He has sat on non-profit boards such as Day One, a Pasadena based empowerment agency and the Pasadena Police Activities League (PAL). Darryl co-founded the Eaton Fire Collaborative with Jill, and together they remain dedicated to bringing key stakeholders together to support the long-term rebuilding and recovery of our community.

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Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor
DINE Brands

Executive Leaders
Panda Restaurant Group, The Fletcher Jones Foundation, The HBF Foundation

Community Leaders
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Hahn & Hahn LLP, Huntington Health, and Lagerlof LLP

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