 We’ve been blessed to see so many of you at events around town, from the LP Veteran Gathering hosted by Cindy Bengtson to Pasadena Media’s 40th Year & Holiday Celebration to our very own party hosted by Kaya Plansker & Carla Buigues.
It’s always a treat to spend time with fellow alumni and make new LP friends. Connecting and giving… it’s why this is considered the best time of the year by so many. Our toy and gift drive benefiting Pasadena Unified School District’s Families in Transition was a huge success, too. LP donated a full sleigh of items for children of all ages. Thanks to you, many families experiencing homelessness will feel the joy of the season!  Michelle Matthews, Cynthia Kurtz, Vice Mayor Felicia Williams, & George Brumder at Arlington Garden's Autumn in the Garden celebration. In a nod to steadfast community leadership, Cynthia Kurtz and George Brumder, both current advisory board members of Leadership Pasadena, were recently recognized at Arlington Garden’s Autumn in the Garden celebrating “18 years of Growing a Garden Instead of a Freeway.” The acknowledgement showcased their enduring service and commitment to community development and environmental sustainability.
Former Pasadena City Manager Cynthia Kurtz, a longtime LP advocate, was honored as a “Ground Breaker” for her involvement in securing the lease from CalTrans when she was City Manager of Pasadena at the Garden’s founding in 2005. George Brumder (‘06) was honored as a “Constant Gardener” for his longtime dedication as a founding board member, past president and current board member to Arlington Garden’s mission to provide a climate-appropriate, habitat garden which offers learning, inspiration, and enjoyment for all. Both Cynthia and George’s influences played a pivotal role in shaping Arlington Garden into the cherished oasis it is today for residents and visitors alike. Many LP alumni attended to support the garden, including Keith Miller (‘23), Senior Multimedia Producer at Caltech, who volunteered as the event videographer. Other LPers on hand to support the garden and their fellow alums were Board Chair Amara Ononiwu and Program Director NC Inguanzo. Executive Director of Arlington Gardens, Michelle Matthews (‘23) expressed gratitude, saying, “We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional service of Cynthia Kurtz and George Brumder. They have championed Arlington Garden, as a feather in the cap of the City of Pasadena, which provides a refuge and furthers environmental resilience right here in Pasadena.” Congratulations to Cynthia, George, and Michelle for their positive impact on our community! Learn more about Arlington Garden.  ‘Tis the season for helping others and getting involved.
Have you heard of Project Gobble Gobble? For 20 years, the City of Pasadena has helped make the holidays special for those furthest from opportunity. By distributing turkeys to human services organizations all across the area, families who are experiencing hardship are able to celebrate with their loved ones during this season of giving. This year 500 turkeys were donated to Project Gobble Gobble by Titan Disposal, a local, black-owned business. Leadership Pasadena had the opportunity to support this effort. Alumni worked alongside members of the City’s staff, including members of the Pasadena Police Department and Pasadena Fire Department, to distribute nourishing food for Thanksgiving. Special thanks to all of our volunteers!
 The LP Board of Directors and Advisory Council held a planning retreat in mid-October. Along with attending to basic board affairs, we discussed strengthening finances, addressing programming updates, and reinforcing capacity.
The board approved:
The Advisory Council reviewed and shared expertise on:
Special thanks to all of our Board and Advisory Council members for their service to our organization. Your wisdom and experience will help propel LP forward.  Valerie Mendoza, Amara Ononiwu, Manuel Carmona, Lisa Barrios, Cindy Bengtson, and Karen Burgess at PEF’s Principal for a Day. Some of our incredible alumni and board members stepped into the shoes of local school principals as part of the Pasadena Educational Foundation's (PEF) Principal for a Day event on Wednesday, Oct. 25. This unique initiative allows leaders to gain firsthand insights into the challenges and triumphs of Pasadena Unified School District schools, students, and families. It's all about strengthening our community's commitment to education, one day at a time.
LPers who were Principals for a Day this year were: Greg Apodaca, Lisa Barrios, Cindy Bengtson, Manuel Carmona, Portia Harris, Brenda Harvey-Williams, Carla Hegwood, Valerie Mendoza, and Amara Ononiwu. Alumnae Marleni Jimenez and Nancy Carol Inguanzo, both PEF employees, helped coordinate the event. Karen Burgess, a member of PEF’s Board of Directors, served as an ambassador to City of Pasadena Council Member Jason Lyon as he visited Hamilton Elementary. Other alumni, including Willard Elementary Principal Maricela Brambila, attended the celebratory luncheon that wrapped up the day. We couldn't be prouder of this example of LP community engagement! Have an LP community engagement story? Tell us about it.
 LP Alumni Courtney Reddix (red cap) and Liz Jackman (striped shirt) pictured here with Caltech Y RISE tutors. Leadership Pasadena alumni have joined the Friends, board, and staff of the Caltech Y in eye-catching numbers. The century-old organization (not affiliated with the YMCA/YWCA) complements the exceptional training in science and engineering that Caltech offers its students, helping them to engage civically, try out adventurous challenges, and build their social, cultural, and ethical awareness. Does that sound familiar?
“The community-first, action-based approach is very similar to how LP functions,” says Caltech Y student programs coordinator Courtney Reddix (LP ’18, veterans program). Through both nonprofits, he says, you can step outside your comfort zone and engage with others you may never get a chance to interact with otherwise. Amir Sadjadpour (LP ’22, Caltech PhD ’06), a regular at Caltech Y Friends events, feels that the Caltech Y and LP both are committed to developing home-grown leaders and making a positive impact on the community. He appreciates that both organizations offer training opportunities for members and prioritize diversity and inclusion. Caltech staff members Leslie Maxfield (LP ’18, Caltech BS ’95), Mitch Aiken (LP ’14), and Ann (Wendland) Motrunich (LP ’12) joined chair Cindy Bengtson (LP ’17) and secretary Katie Clark (LP ’20) on the Caltech Y board this year. Maxfield notes that she was drawn to the organization because she wants to help students connect with opportunities outside the classroom and lab so they will thrive and have an enjoyable, enriching Caltech experience. Students develop and lead the Caltech Y’s programs. The staff, board, and Friends pitch in with expertise, elbow grease, and funding. Students serve meals at the local homeless shelter, invite influential activists to speak at Caltech, collect gently used lab equipment for schools in need, dedicate holiday breaks to science policy and service trips, tutor and read to schoolchildren, and organize Make a Difference Day and WorldFest on campus. The RISE program, where Caltech students tutor and mentor local K-12 students, is especially dear to Aiken’s heart. “It is an incredible gift to the community,” he says. The logistical powerhouses behind RISE and other programs are Liz Jackman (LP ’18), the Caltech Y’s associate director of student programs, and Reddix. Caltech staff member Vicki Chiu (LP ’20) helps communicate the organization’s accomplishments, producing stunning annual reports and other design–intensive projects. Bengston sums up LP alumni involvement with Caltech Y perfectly. “The fact that so many LP alums have come together to serve the Caltech Y shows how LP creates bonds beyond its own classrooms and how it propels its graduates out into the wider community.” By Ann Montrunich, LP Alumni Have an LP community engagement story? Tell us about it.  The LP Board of Directors held it’s first meeting of the fall after our summer hiatus.
Financial planning and recruiting were the focus. Our primary goals this next year are to build administrative foundations while furthering community outreach and impact. Be on the look out for more information on priorities and plans following the board’s October retreat later this month. Special thanks to the following alumni for their LP volunteer efforts this past month:
Want to contribute to LP’s community impact and success? Get in touch. |
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