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LOS ANGELES, CA
(April 28, 2015) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los
Angeles (BBBSLA) presented its annual Accessories for
Success Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show, April 17, 2015
at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Afternoon honored Nicole
Lorey, VP and Chief Communications Officer, Transamerica
Brokerage with the “Innovator Award” and Kate Nichols,
Digital Marketing Producer, CBS Marketing with the “Rising
Star Award.” Actress and fashion icon Amber Valletta
hosted. Laura Lizer, BBBSLA Board Chair; NJ Goldston; Nancy
Taylor; Nina Shaw; Sharon Harroun Peirce and Sandra Stern
were Honorary Co-Chairs..
In a unique twist to
this year’s fashion show, 12 “Bigs” and “Littles”
participated in the fashion show in partnership with
Goodwill Southern California. Each “Big” and “Little”
selected his or her outfit and accessories from a Goodwill
store, with a maximum budget of $30 each. This aspect also
aligns with an education initiative by Goodwill pegged at
developing self-sufficiency in youth and the importance of
shopping within a budget. Marking their 60th
anniversary this year, BBBSLA recently joined forces with
Goodwill Southern California (GSC), establishing their new
offices at the Goodwill Community Enrichment Center at
Fletcher Square in Los Angeles. Co-locating with Goodwill
affords BBBSLA and their families a host of benefits
including workforce development, career training and
placement programming.
In recognition of
the new alliance between BBBSLA and Goodwill Southern
California, current Miss California USA Natasha Martinez
introduced a video highlighting the multi-faceted dimensions
of Goodwill.
Actor/director Gregg
Daniel welcomed the nearly 200 guests before introducing the
afternoon’s host, Amber Valletta, entering the stage to the
strains of Pharrell Williams, “Happy.” She was joined by
BBBSLA President and Chief Executive Officer, Tiffany Siart
who celebrated the afternoon’s honorees as “women of
accomplishment, not only in the board room, but in the all
important world of philanthropy. Each is a role model for
our young women and both are dedicated to supporting our
efforts to create brighter futures through life-changing
mentoring relationships to all children who need and
want them.”
“Rising Star Award” honoree Kate Nichols was presented her
award by her “Little Sister,” Cambria, 17. As Digital
Marketing producer with CBS Marketing for the past three
years, Nichols began her career in television as a
production assistant with E! Entertainment before joining
OWN, Oprah Winfrey’s cable network, as a producer with their
on-air marketing department. Originally from Marietta, GA,
her move to Los Angeles prompted a desire to give back to
her new community. Her commitment to Big Brothers Big
Sisters was born of the many powerful testimonials she heard
from “Bigs” and “Littles,” eventually
becoming a Big
Sister herself. Nichols’ involvement with the organization
grew as she became a member of their Junior Board, serving
as Vice Chair for the past two years. She will soon take on
the role of Chair. Her enthusiasm for BBBSLA has carried
over into her workplace, where she helped establish a
mentoring program at CBS.
Elise Buik,
President and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles,
presented the “Innovator Award” to Nicole Lorey, Vice
President and Chief Communications Officer for Transamerica
Life Insurance Company (TLIC), an AEGON company and
Transamerica Brokerage, a marketing unit for TLIC and its
affiliates. Lorey is responsible for all internal and
external communications, meetings and special events,
philanthropy and organizational development. Joining
Transamerica in 2000 as Director, Corporate Communications,
she was elected Assistant VP, Communications &
Organizational Development in 2007, before being named Vice
President in 2011. Previously, Lorey worked in Public
Affairs and Communications for Kaiser Permanente as well as
stints with Read Communications and Cynthia Michael Public
Relations. An active member of the BBBSLA Board of
Directors, she spearheaded a BBBSLA program at 20th
Street Elementary School in South LA, providing students
with activities, mentors and school supplies each year.
About Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles
In Los Angeles
County, one in five children is living below the federal
poverty line and one in three children is living in a
single-parent household. These children are faced with
overwhelming challenges that often derail their futures. BIG
BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GREATER LOS ANGELES changes
children’s lives (our Littles) for the better, forever,
through professionally supported one-on-one mentoring
relationships in the community-at-large, at schools and at
corporate sites. Mentorship by caring adults (our Bigs) has
proven effective in significantly increasing academic
performance and self-esteem while decreasing risky
behaviors. Founded by Walt Disney and Meredith Willson in
1955, they are a leading non-profit in the Los Angeles
community. To learn more, visit
www.BBBSLA.org, follow on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/bbbsla, Facebook at
www.facebook.com/bbbsla
and
on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bbbsla. |