Congratulations to Network member Lauren Brand, Director of Operations at Mind OC/Be Well OC. This month celebrated the opening of their first campus located on Anita Drive and Chapman Avenue, marking a hoped-for turning point in mental and behavioral health services!

For more information, an OC Register article can be found here, and the Virtual ribbon cutting event can be seen here.

Lauren is an active member of our Network who participated in the 2016 Executive Learning Group, and is currently a Creative Encounters by Fieldstone facilitator, a Coach in our Executive Coaching Program, and a current member of our Leadership Reading Group.

Great work is being done by Penny Lambright, Founder and CEO of Patriots and Paws! Their mission is to provide Veterans/Active Military/Reservists and their families throughout Southern California basic home furnishings for newly acquired residences and, if desired, a rescued companionship animal to support and guide them as they transition into civilian life - all provided free of charge.

Click here to read about Penny's organization in The Los Angeles Times.

Penny participated in the 2020 Executive Learning Group.

OC Register named its 100 Most Influential recently, and we are happy to report three of our Network members made the list: Anne Grey, previously with Alzheimer's Association of Orange County, Jerri Rosen, Founder and CEO of Working Wardrobes, and Iliana Soto Welty, Executive Director of MECCA. Congrats to all!

For the complete article, click here.

Anne participated in the 2001 Executive Leaders Learning Group, and is a current member of the Leadership Reading Group; Jerri participated in the 1999 Executive Learning Group and was coached in the 1999 Executive Coaching Program; and Iliana participated in the 2009 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group.

Speaking of Anne Grey, all of us extend best wishes as she moved to Northern California to become the new CEO of Vivalon, whose mission is to promote the independence, well-being and quality of life for older adults and people living with disabilities in Marin County. While we are very sorry to see her go, she has assured us she will be participating virtually whenever possible.

Anne is a favorite presenter of the Network, who frequently shares her time and expertise in our Crossroads & Turning Points, Fieldstone@4 and Fieldstone4U programs.

Kudos to Ambrocia Lopez, Director of Susan G. Komen Orange County's new pilot program, the Patient Navigation Initiative. Responding to data that breast cancer hits women of color harder in Orange County, the program will address their needs by identifying and training staff at local community health clinics to help women in underserved areas navigate the system in order to get preventative care, earlier diagnosis, and the intervention they’ll need if they have breast cancer.

For the complete article, click here.

Ambrocia was coached in the 2019 Executive Coaching Program.

Congratulations to Debbie Finster, the new Vice President of Development for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release marine mammals and inspire ocean stewardship through research, education and collaboration. Debbie brings a vast knowledge from her work at Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire and they are lucky to have her!

Debbie participated in the 2017 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group and is a frequent guest of our Fieldsone4U check-ins and webinars.