Local women honored during annual Women Achievers Conference

Several women from Burbank and Glendale as well as cities in the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys were honored Friday afternoon during Business Life magazine’s 28th annual Women Achievers Conference.

Hundreds of community members and leaders gathered at the Hilton Pasadena to honor 29 women for outstanding work in their communities and their professions.

New for this year’s event was its Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to former Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos for her contributions to Burbank and the surrounding area.

“I’ve worked in this community and region for a long time, with so many people and so many women, and to be here today and celebrate the 2017 Women Achievers and all the women in this room is great,” Ramos said. “We never do anything alone, and we always pull our resources together, and we make our businesses prosper and our communities thrive.”

Yasmin Beers, Glendale’s assistant city manager and one of the honorees, said she was proud to be among a group of such talented women.

Beers said it’s important to recognize all people for the dedication and work they put into their respective communities regardless of their gender.

“Recognition goes a long way because stories are shared, and once those stories are shared, it helps others who may be questioning whether they should take that next step,” Beers said. “I say, ‘Take the next step and see what happens.’”

Another honoree, Laurie Bleick, executive director of the Family Service Agency in Burbank, said events such as the Women Achievers Conference help get the word out about some of the important projects on which people are working. In Bleick’s case, it brings attention to mental healthcare.

“It touches all of us, whether it’s directly or indirectly,” Bleick said. “The more attention we can give it and the more awareness we can bring to that issue, the more resources we can bring, put together and coordinate that type of service and preventive program that will allow folks to ask for the help they need.”

Taline Arsenian, president of the Glendale Teachers Assn., said she appreciated Business Life for naming her one of this year’s honorees, adding that the event is more about the communities all of the women serve and try to make better places.

She said she hopes more people will recognize the importance of education and continue supporting it to benefit the future.

“The teachers association works for the benefit of the teachers so that they can benefit the students,” Arsenian said. “I would want for all of the participants here to pay it forward to their public school associations, not just the teachers associations, but for everyone that dedicates their lives to the children of their community.”

Addora Beall, president of the Glendale Assn. of Realtors, was also one of the local honorees. She has been a licensed Realtor since 1999 and focuses on helping new Realtors who are starting in the profession, according to her biography in the event program.

Business Life also honored Amy Boyadjian, owner and co-founder of the Burbank-based Tri-Tech Restoration and Construction Co. With more than 20 years of construction experience, Boyadjian developed her business to be one of the top of its kind in the region, her biography states.

Cynthia Faust, a member of the Burbank Noon Kiwanis, was also an honoree this year. She spent 44 years as a teacher and administrator before joining the local Kiwanis Club in 2007, according to her biography.

Roberta Hagopian, a member of the bond oversight committee for Glendale Community College, was honored for her contributions to Glendale and Pasadena, including serving as the former president of the Altrusa Club of Glendale and the former president of the Women’s Golf Club at Brookside in Pasadena, her biography stated.

Jacqueline Hawley, president of the Soroptimist International of Glendale, was honored for her work advocating for the improvement of the lives of women and girls, and Karen Swan, a member of the Glendale Educational Foundation, Ascencia and Glendale Kiwanis was honored for her contributions to those groups and many others in Glendale, according to their program biographies.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio