Laura Schwab looked like a million bucks last Wednesday.
Schwab, president of Aston Martin’s Americas division, took center stage at the Business Journal’s 25th annual Women in Business Awards, sharing her story of rising through the ranks, from University of Notre Dame tennis star, to a legal grad with little interest in practicing law, to “accidental” car website expert, to one of just two women to hold a top position in the auto industry.
“This is the best job in the (redacted) world,” she said in a heartfelt speech that included a few choice words.
The crowd of 800-plus at Hotel Irvine heard Schwab stress the value of mentorship and having a reliable team, both in life and in business. They didn’t hear much about the value of sleep; Schwab, with a demanding job based in Irvine and a young child at home, thanked her makeup mentor for her appearance at the event.
Wearing a roughly $900,000 necklace—similar items were on display earlier last week at New York’s Met Gala—and a similarly extravagant watch from event sponsor Chopard didn’t hurt either. “This is the best two hours of my life,” quipped Schwab of the temporary use of the jewels.
With at least five Aston Martins showcased at the event, another $1 million-plus worth of luxury was on display. Each of the five WIB winners get a car to try out for a weekend, Schwab said.
Call for entries to next year’s event begins in December. We’ll have more on the latest winners in next week’s edition.
Hear about the highly regarded local college educator making a run for Congress in OC’s 45th District?
No, we’re not talking about University of California-Irvine law professor Katie Porter, whose freshman term in office has been a whirlwind of activity, with an emphasis on consumer and women issues; her April grilling of JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon over pay disparity got plenty of airtime last month.
Challenging Porter’s spot next election go-around: Republican Lisa Sparks, PhD at Chapman University, who announced her intentions to run late last week.
As Dean of Chapman’s School of Communication, Sparks will no doubt be on-message in her campaign; she’s aiming “to bring common sense reform back to Orange County.”
The wife of Chapman President Daniele Struppa, Sparks knows a thing or two about fundraising as well.
Condolences to the Bren family, and to the team at Newport Beach’s KBS Realty Advisors, on the recent passing of KBS Chairman and President Peter Bren.
Peter Bren was the younger brother of Irvine Co. Chairman and owner Donald Bren. Both companies declined to comment, citing family wishes.
