True Leadership is An Art
Hank Panian, retired Orange Coast College history professor; Julia Argyros; George L. Argyros, founder, Arnel & Affiliates
The arts and the art of leadership took center stage May 12 in the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa at the fourth annual “The Mayor’s Celebration … the Art of Leadership” event, presented by the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and South Coast Metro Alliance with the support of the Segerstrom center. The event raised $30,000 for area arts programs.
The occasion acknowledged the accomplishments of local leaders who are pillars of the Orange County business, arts and philanthropic community. More than 250 elected officials, business executives and community leaders attended the event, which was emceed by Rick Reiff, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the Orange County Business Journal’s editor at large.
The event’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to George L. Argyros, founder of Arnel & Affiliates, and his wife, Julia Argyros. The couple has donated millions of dollars to the arts and other charitable organizations, including the Orange County High School of the Arts, Chapman University, South Coast Repertory Theater and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. This year’s Mayor’s Award honoree was Hank Panian, a retired Orange Coast College history professor.
“We are delighted to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Julia and George Argyros and Hank Panian, who have set such a great example for all of us to follow,” said Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger.
Imagine the Possibilities
Tammy Tang; husband Samuel Tang, co-founder, managing partner, TriGuard Management
Nearly 450 guests gathered in the ballroom of the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point on May 7 for the Saddleback Memorial Foundation’s spring gala, An Evening of Gratitude. The black-tie event took in more than $250,000 for I’MAGINE, a three-year space redesign project at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center.
The campaign includes reconfiguring the surgical nursing unit and redesigning the rehabilitation gym for orthopedic patients so the space can be more efficiently used, plus the addition of equipment.
The goal is to raise $7 million over the next three years. The foundation already has raised $2 million toward the goal.
The evening included dinner, live and silent auctions, an opportunity drawing, and a Fund-A-Need segment.
It Starts with Heart
Mike Mussallem, chairman, CEO, Edwards Lifesciences
The Every Heartbeat Matters initiative created by Edwards Lifesciences in 2014 has helped more than 200,000 underserved people across the world battle heart valve disease by providing education, screening and treatment, the company said. Every Heartbeat Matters supports patient-focused nonprofit organizations through grants from Edwards Lifesciences Foundation and donations of Edwards products for indigent care. Investments in the initiative to date total more than $10 million.
“While heart valve disease is debilitating and life threatening, with timely and appropriate care, people can not only survive, but also live fulfilling and productive lives,” said Michael A. Mussallem, chairman and chief executive of Edwards Lifesciences. “Every Heartbeat Matters is focused on reaching 1 million underserved people and saving lives that would otherwise be lost, by working with strategic partners to provide broad-reaching public education, targeted heart screenings, advanced clinical skill trainings, and treatment for some in desperate circumstances.”
Enchanted Evening
Charlie Zhang, principal founder, Zion Enterprises; his wife, Ling
On May 7 more than 400 guests stepped into a lush Tahitian paradise, courtesy of the Pacific Symphony’s 2016 gala, “Je t’aime Tahiti, Some Enchanted Evening” at Hotel Irvine. The black-tie gala netted $1.3 million, all of which will be used to support the symphony’s education and arts programs.
Guests were treated to South Pacific delicacies, a Polynesian-inspired dinner, a live auction, and entertainment that included a percussion quartet featuring symphony musicians and traditional Tahitian dance troupe O Tahiti E.
Pacific Symphony’s principal pops conductor, Richard Kaufman, was honored at the event as he celebrated his 25th anniversary with the orchestra.
Bits & Pieces
Casa Teresa opened its first resale boutique in Orange on May 26 to provide the organization’s residents with a unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience. … Steve Alexson, president and chief executive of Alexson Investment Group, will serve as a financial adviser school ambassador for NuVision Federal Credit Union’s Think.Tank.Challenge, an educational essay contest with $20,000 in prize money to be awarded to local high school students.
