Serving the San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita


Valley Industry & Commerce Association || vica.com

April 30, 2024

In This Issue

  • VICA Hosts Women In Extraordinary Leadership
  • VICA's Board Supports State Ballot Initiative: Homeless, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act

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VICA University | Sexual Harassment Training - 5/14

VICA After Dark with LAPD Deptuty Chief Ruby Flores and LA Councilmember John Lee - 5/14

"If you don't have a seat at the table, bring one of your own."


Renata Simril

Statement Made During VICA's Women in Extraordinary Leadership Panel Discussion "Women on Boards"

VICA Hosts Women in Leadership Breakfast

VICA's Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast held at the Sheraton Universal on April 26th, was a vibrant gathering to empower women and foster dialogue on women in leadership and board roles. Throughout the event, speakers and panelists shared insights, experiences, and strategies to inspire and support women in various industries and career pathways.


Michelle Gaskill-Hames (Kaiser Permanente) set the tone by emphasizing the importance of diversity in corporate boards, highlighting its positive impact on company performance. This sentiment was echoed by Jenna Dillon (Executive Performance Institute for Coaching), who delved into the neurological differences between male and female brains, suggesting that women's enhanced emotional intelligence and empathy could contribute to better team dynamics and decision-making processes.


The Women on Boards Panel, moderated by Heather Spilsbury (50/50 Women on Boards), provided a platform for Renata Simril (LA84 Foundation), Cynthia Guerrero (California Strategies, LLC), and Nadine Watt (Watt Capital Partners) to share their board experiences and insights. They emphasized the value of diversity in boardrooms and encouraged women to seize opportunities for leadership roles without self-doubt. Renata stressed the importance of understanding the industry and financial fundamentals, while Nadine emphasized the significance of finding allies and not being deterred by an initial lack of expertise.


The discussions extended beyond corporate boardrooms, addressing broader issues such as creating inclusive work environments across generations. Wendy Greuel (CSUN Nazarian School of Business & Economics) spoke with Monica Lozano (Aspen Institute Latinos and Society), who highlighted the importance of continuous learning, entrepreneurial mindset, and community engagement throughout her career. She emphasized the need for philanthropic efforts to address systemic barriers and support youth empowerment.


The event concluded with closing remarks by Veronica Omar (Wells Fargo), who reinforced the importance of women supporting each other and advocating for diversity at all levels of leadership.


We thank our presenting sponsors, CSUN Nazarian School of Business & Economics and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and co-sponsors Amazon, Cowe Communications, The Garland, HealthNet, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Kaiser Permanente, SoCalGas, US Bank, and Wells Fargo.

2024 VICA Chairman Lupita Sanchez Cornejo (AT&T)

Lisa Gritnzer (LG Strategies) with Michelle Gaskill-Hames (Kaiser Permanente)

From Left to Right: Heather Spilsbury (50/50 Women on Boards), Nadine Watt (Watt Capital Partners), Renata Simril (LA84 Foundation), and Cynthia Guerrero (California Strategies)

From Left to Right: Monica Lozano (Aspen Institute Latinos and Society) and Wendy Greuel (CSUN Nazarian School of Business & Economics)

Jenna Dillon (Executive Performance Institute for Coaching) leads "Fast Break" sessions, covering Female Leaders' Cognitive Abilities and Navigating Multigenerational Work Environments

Veronica Omar (Wells Fargo) provides closing remarks, closing another successful Women in Extraordinary Leadership event

VICA Board Supports Ballot Initiative Proposal: Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act

Last Wednesday, the VICA Board voted to support Initiative 23-0017A1, also known as the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act. This initiative addresses key challenges in our communities related to theft, drug addiction, and homelessness and aligns with our commitment to enhancing public safety and promoting rehabilitation.


Initiative 23-0017A1 proposes amendments to Proposition 47, which was initially enacted to reduce penalties for nonviolent crimes and reallocate resources toward treatment and rehabilitation. However, it inadvertently led to an increase in petty thefts and difficulties in effectively managing drug addiction.


The proposed amendments include classifying repeated thefts by individuals with prior convictions as felonies, enhancing penalties for organized theft rings, and categorizing fentanyl trafficking alongside other severe narcotics with stricter penalties, especially in cases resulting in death or serious injury.


Furthermore, the initiative introduces a "treatment-mandated felony" category, which allows offenders with multiple drug possession convictions to opt for treatment instead of incarceration, with the potential for expunging charges upon successful completion, thus prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment.


The VICA Board believes the Initiative offers a balanced approach to rectify the issues stemming from Proposition 47 by tightening penalties where needed while also emphasizing rehabilitation for those affected by drug addiction and mental health issues.

Events

Register Here

VICA Congressional Officeholders Breakfast

Thursday, May 30

8:30 to 10:30 AM

Burbank Airport Mariott



This event is a unique and fun opportunity to directly engage elected officials from Washington D.C., who represent the San Fernando Valley in a "Talk Show" format.


VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsor Amazon and

Co-Sponsors The Garland and SoCalGas.

Register for Congressional Breakfast

VICA University: Employers Required to Conduct Sexual Harassment Prevention Training


Tuesday, May 14

1 - 2:00 PM (Non-supervisors)

1 - 3:00 PM (Supervisors)

Via Zoom


VICA invites you to join us for this informative, 2-hour program that will cover California law required sexual harassment prevention training which applies to all employers with five or more employees. Mandatory training must take place within six months of hire or promotion, and again every two years.


Thank you to JorgensenHR for conducting this workshop.

Register Here
Sponsor This Event

VICA After Dark with LAPD Deputy Chief Ruby Flores and LA City Councilman John Lee


Tuesday, May 14

5:30 - 7:30 PM

PALS - LAPD Devonshire Youth Center

(8721 Wilbur Ave, Northridge)

In January 2024, Deputy Chief Ruby Flores became the first Latina promoted to Deputy Chief within the LAPD, and the first woman to lead the Operations-Valley Bureau - the largest command within the Department, spanning Devonshire, Foothill, Mission, North Hollywood, Topanga, Van Nuys, and West Valley.


Deputy Chief Flores is the President of the Los Angeles Women Police Officers and Associates, and she has also been honored with the prestigious "Champion of Women Award" by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2022. The Deputy is also a member of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, the Police Executive Research Forum, the Latin American Law Enforcement Association, the California Peace Officers' Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

LA Councilman John Lee (CD12) was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council during an August 2019 special election, and he was re-elected to his first full term in March 2020. As a CD12 resident of over 40 years with John found his passion for public service at an early age when he first began volunteering for local nonprofits while in middle school.


A lifelong public servant, Lee has been serving this community his entire adult life. His extensive understanding of the City’s legislative and budget processes and day-to-day operations gives him tremendous insight into what works and what doesn’t at City Hall. With an agenda focused on public safety, supporting local businesses, and providing core city services, Lee is committed to putting the neighborhoods of the Twelfth District first and ensuring that his constituents have a voice at City Hall.

Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Presenting Sponsor & Host

LAPD Devonshire PALS.

Register Here
Sponsor This Event

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing & New Members!

Renewing Members


Bronze Members


Members


New Member

This Week

Labor & Employment Committee

Wednesday, May 1

8:30 to 10:30 AM

Hosted by Hilton Universal City

RSVP

Education Committee

Thursday, May 2

8:30 to 10:30 AM

Hosted by Los Angeles Valley College

RSVP

Save the Date

Not-For-Profit Committee

Wednesday, May 8

8:30 to 10:30 AM

At the VICA Office

RSVP

SPECIAL: International Trade Committee with Consul General of India: Dr. K Srikar Reddy

Tuesday, May 14

8:30 to 10:00 AM

At the VICA Office

RSVP

Government Affairs

Committee

Wednesday, May 15

Noon to 2:00 PM

At the VICA Office

RSVP

Transportation Committee

Tuesday, May 21

8:30 to 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP

VICA In the News

Caltrans may add Bike Lanes to Topanga Canyon Boulevard from 118 to Mulholland

Los Angeles Daily News | April 23

Hot News

FTC Bans Noncompete Agreements

The Federal Trade Commission narrowly voted Tuesday to ban nearly all noncompetes, employment agreements that typically prevent workers from joining compete businesses or launching ones of their own. The FTC received more than 26,000 public comments in the months leading up to the vote, with Chair Lina Khan referencing some of the stories she had heard from workers. The FTC estimates that about 30 million people, or one in five American workers ranging from minimum wage earners to CEOs, are bound by noncompetes. It says that the policy change could increase wages totaling nearly $300 billion. The ban will take effect later this year, carving out an exception for existing noncompetes that companies have given their senior executives.


TikTok won't be sold to US Business

TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, said it will not sell the popular video-sharing app to continue its business in the US despite facing a potential ban under a law President Biden signed Wednesday. The bill, included in a foreign aid package signed by Biden, gives ByteDance up to a year to sell TikTok or be banned from operating in the US The proposal was fueled by national security concerns that the Chinese government could compel TikTok to share US user data. Even if it was purchased in the US, the app would end up looking very different considering the app's algorithm - which is key to its popularity - would be regulated by Chinese export rules.

Wait Times in Mexico Strain Small Businesses in California

Tax dollars are pouring in on efforts to reduce the US-Mexico border wait times, yet excessive delays continue. Local leaders say small businesses are struggling in border communities, and although government agencies are spending billions of dollars to improve wait times at the border, the checkpoint remains severely clogged. Frustrations have increased as more than 150,000 students, cross-border families, health care workers, small business owners, and others who cross the border daily say that some fronterizas have stopped crossing the border as often, and the loss of foot traffic has resulted in heavy sales losses for small businesses.


Airlines Must Now Provide Cash Refunds

The Biden Administration issued final rules last week to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things such as delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation. The Transportation Department said airlines will be required to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and "significant" delays. Under current regulations, airlines decide how long a delay must last before triggering refunds. The administration is removing that wiggle room by defining a significant delay as lasting at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones.

Member Messages

Our mission at Rescue Mission Alliance San Fernando Valley is to break the cycle of homelessness in the lives of the guests we serve. We provide refuge, recovery, and restoration to families and individuals experiencing homelessness and help return them to self-sufficiency. We are proud to announce the celebration of our 25th Anniversary, marking a quarter-century of unwavering commitment to transforming lives. Please join us is continuing our mission to change lives for good!

Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!

VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week. For more information or to schedule your member message, contact yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.

ABOUT VICA

Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the

San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,

Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.

Read more about VICA at vica.com

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