June 23, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Welcome Santa Monica Chamber’s New Board:

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce installed their new 2016-2017 board June 15, with an evening at host hotel Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows welcoming new and old members in celebration.

Chair of the Board Yesenia Monsour officially took them helm, sworn in by Santa Monica Mayor Tony Vazquez under the hotel’s historic Fig Tree. 

While enjoying cool ocean breezes and cocktails during the reception, guests bid on Silent Auction items donated by local businesses.

The dinner and program commenced with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Santa Monica High Student, Zoe D’Andrea. 

Nat Trives, former Mayor and Chief of Police emceed the event, and along with Mayor Vazquez and Laurel Rosen, President of the Santa Monica Chamber, bid a fond farewell to outgoing Chair Julia Ladd, Assistant VP of Santa Monica Place, Macerich, and her Board.  

2016-2017 Chair Yesenia Monsour, Director, Public Affairs and Brand Communications at Kaiser Permanente, gave an inspiring and moving speech after accepting the gavel from the Mayor. She will be joined this year by board members:

Julia Ladd, Santa Monica Place/Macerich

West Hooker, Locando del Lago Restaurant

Richard Chacker, Perry’s at the Beach and Bike Rentals

Scott Schonfeld, , Linwood Ventures

Pat McRoskey, Water Garden

Barbara Bishop, BBPR Inc.

Justin Grant, Morley Builders

Dave Nelson, Chief Financial Officer, Tegner-Miller Insurance Brokers

Adam Weiss, Cornerstone OnDemand

Alisha Auringer, LAcarGuy

Brian McMahon, Expert Dojo

Calvin Cheong, Cooley, LLC

Julia Cooksey, Frontier

Daniel Abramson, RAND Corporation

Ellis O’Connor, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

Gary Loeb, Chezgal Merchandising Creations

Jeff Jarow, Par Commercial

Jeff Klocke, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Jeff Lasky, Hudson Pacific

John Warfel, Metropolitan Pacific Real Estate Group

Juan Viramontes, Georgian Hotel

Kiersten Elliot, Santa Monica College

Len Lanzi, LAVA

Mathew Allnatt, Jonathan Club

Matt Lavin, Worthe Real Estate

Marcel Loh, Providence St. John’s Health Center

Michael Gruning, Pence Hathorn Silver Realty

Mike Harriel, Southern California Gas Company

Mitchell Kraus, Capital Intelligence Associates

Nat Trives, Coalition for Engaged Education

Paula Larmore, Harding Larmore Kutchal & Kozal LLP

Richard Lawrence, Commercial Bank of California

Susan Gabriel Potter, Bob Gabriel Co. Insurance

Susan Inwood, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

Ted Braun, UCLA Health

Tim Kusserow, Carlthorp School

Dee Menzies, retiring from a successful career at Carlthorp School, accepted the Bob Gabriel Community Service Business Award for her support of the SM Chamber and community for the past 33 years. Iao Katagiri, Director of Community Relations, Deputy Vice President at Rand was honored for her many contributions to Santa Monica in her 40 year career, including the first Civic Center Specific Plan and Annual Community Conference on Early Childhood Education. 

More than 400 guests were treated to a delicious farmers market-fresh dinner created by Chef Yousef Ghalaini of Fig. For more information on the Chamber, head to: smchamber.com.

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