Congratulations to this year’s honorees and finalists

Business by LA Times Studios, part of the Los Angeles Times Media Group, presented the Orange County Executive Forum & Leadership Awards on Sept. 9 at Marriott Irvine Spectrum, bringing together Orange County’s business community for an afternoon of conversation, connection and recognition.

Honorees and finalists were recognized across eight categories. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

Chief Financial Officer
Honoree
Laurie Peterson | Chief Financial Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire

Finalists
Ommid Bavarian | Chief Financial Officer, Revolv3
Benjamin Brewster | Chief Financial Officer – Corporate, Pathway Capital Management
Ryan Loch | Chief Financial Officer, Revitate
Gary Lu | Chief Financial Officer, ConsumerDirect, Inc.
Jenn Ryu | Chief Financial Officer, RGP

Chief Information / Technology Officer
Honoree
Subba Kethu | Director, Head of IT & AI / CIO, Kia America

Finalists
Jon Asher | Chief Technology Officer, Nekter Juice Bar
Eric Brady | Chief Information Officer, Eagle Community Credit Union
Taison Kearney | Chief Information Security Officer, Kantata
Tyler James Pierce | Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, Turion Space
Prashant Urkudey | Chief Information Officer, Rand Technology

Chief Operating Officer
Honoree
Christina Salcido | Chief Operating Officer, Girl Scouts of Orange County

Finalists
Rina Hunter | Chief Operating Officer, Kahana Feld
Adam Laitsas | Global Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Vans
Michael Murray | Chief Operating Officer, JustFoodForDogs
Eric Paulsen | Chief Operating Officer, Kidder Mathews
Katherine Vescera | Partner & Chief Operating Officer, TALG, Ltd.

Chief Marketing Officer
Honoree
Kerry Konrady | Chief Marketing Officer, OluKai

Finalists
Ruby Keys Boulanger | Chief Marketing Officer, Fortra Law
Cheryl Calandrino | Chief Marketing Officer, South Division, Providence
Nate Chang | Chief Marketing Officer, Sequel Brands
Chris Georgieff | Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
David Levi Novick | Chief Growth Officer, Darn Digital Corporation

Head of Human Resources
Honoree
Jessica Novak | Chief People Officer, Evolus

Finalists
Ramona Agrela | Senior Vice President & Vice Chancellor, Human Resources, UC Irvine / UCI Health
Joy Corpora | Chief People & Culture Officer, Orangewood Foundation
R. Scott Griffin | Chief People Officer, Rivian
Gina Hartigan | Chief People Officer, Kantata
Sharon Johnson | Chief Human Resources Officer, Orange County Community Foundation

In-House Counsel
Honoree
Loretta Cecil | Global General Counsel, Allied Universal

Finalists
Eric W. Cheung | Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
Brian Cruz | Senior Associate General Counsel, Anduril Industries, Inc.
Wendy Wan-Juoh Huang | Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel, Prospera Hotels
Jeffrey Plumer | General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Evolus
Michelle Stover Smith | General Counsel, Ambry Genetics Corporation

Founder
Honoree
David Bryan Coulter | Chief Executive Officer, Founder & Chairman, ConsumerDirect, Inc.

Finalists
Lev Barinskiy | Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, SmartFinancial
Matt Grimm | Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Anduril Industries, Inc.
Kelsey Rae Morgan | Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, EverFree
Kristen Lee Schmitt | Founder, WELL Premium Water
David A. Warren | Co-Founder & Chairman, Bridgeford

President / CEO
Honoree
Pooja Bhalla | Chief Executive Officer, Illumination Health + Home

Finalists
LaVal Brewer | President & Chief Executive Officer, South County Outreach
Steve Jones | Global Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Allied Universal
Craig Powell | President, Turelk Inc.
Susan Taylor | President & Chief Executive Officer, Juice It Up!
Darren Williams | President & Chief Executive Officer, Wescom Financial

Panel Discussion

The Leadership Imperative: A New Playbook for Leading Through Change

Effective leadership is evolving amid AI, economic uncertainty and changing workforce expectations. Today’s executives must decide what to preserve, rethink or reimagine. Join distinguished Orange County executives for a panel exploring the strategies shaping this next era, emphasizing bold decision-making, sound judgment, sustainable growth and the ability to inspire confidence.

2027 Nominations are Being Accepted Now. Know someone deserving of a nomination?

Submit the form below and a representative from Business by LA Times Studios will follow up.

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