Fernando Award Five Finalists Announced; 2024 Impact Awardees Named

The Fernando Award Foundation board of directors have announced the five individuals, selected from a field of 14 Valley leaders, who are now finalists for this year’s award program honoring volunteer leadership in the San Fernando Valley. One of the nominees will be named recipient of the 2024 Fernando Award at the 66th annual Fernando Foundation gala reception and dinner to be held at the Skirball Cultural Center on Friday, November 8th.

The five finalists are Armida Colmenares-Stafford, vice president and senior relationship manager with Pacific Premier Bank; Susan Du Brin, community advocate and former executive with West Valley Medical Center; Horace Heidt, president of the Horace Heidt Agency; Sharon Udkoff, a certified public accountant; and Dennis Zine, former Los Angeles city council member and retired member of the Los Angeles Police Department. The confidential ballot process will be managed by an independent CPA firm.

“The list is now narrowed to five finalists and culminates with the selection of one distinguished individual at the annual gala on November 8th,” said Fernando Award Foundation Interim Chair Vahid Khorsand. “Each of the finalists’ volunteer engagement, years of service, leadership roles, fundraising activity and volunteer mentorship will be considered in making the final selection.”

In addition to honoring the five finalists and announcing the award recipient at the annual gala, the organization will also honor three Impact Honorees, selected for their service to the community - Los Angeles Business Journal publisher Josh Schimmels, Amazon public policy director Cameron Onumah and Mayra Valadez, an executive with Actum, a public affairs consulting firm.

“The Fernando Award is a lifetime achievement award and regarded as the highest recognition for community volunteerism in the San Fernando Valley,” said 2021 Fernando recipient Diana Sanchez. Information on tickets and sponsorships can be found at https://fernandoawards.org/2024-event/ The deadline for program advertising and sponsorships is Thursday, October 24th.

Pacific Premier Bank vice president Armida Colmenares-Stafford was nominated by the United Chambers of Commerce and Los Angeles Jewish Health CEO Dale Surowitz. Colmenares-Stafford was the first Latina chair of the United Chambers of Commerce. She currently serves as vice president of the Valley Economic Alliance. She has served in various roles including board chair for the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce and is a current board member of the Annenberg School of Nursing.

Sue Du Brin was nominated by ONEgeneration and Lee & Arlene Alpert. Du Brin is board chair for the Child Development Institute which assists low-income families and children with developmental disabilities. She created the San Fernando Valley Senior Services Directory - a free resource for older adults and caregivers and co-founded the Encino Disaster Preparedness Committee, which conducts annual disaster drills. She has been a long-time Sherman Oaks/Encino Chamber board member and volunteer serving as chair of the Health and Wellness Committee.

Entertainment industry icon and real estate investor Horace Heidt was nominated by Sherry Keowen and Kathleen Sterling. Since the early 1980’s, Horace has worked with organizations such as Pierce College Foundation, New Directions for Youth, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, the Mid-San Fernando Valley Sunrise Rotary Club and a variety of local chambers including the Sherman Oaks/Encino Chamber of Commerce and the Universal City/North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Certified Public Accountant Sharon Udkoff was nominated by Los Angeles Jewish Health and Los Angeles Valley College. A long-time volunteer with Los Angeles Jewish Health, several Studio City organizations, Save Los Angeles River Open Space, Los Angeles Hillel Council and the Los Angeles Valley College Foundation, Sharon has a passion for helping people. Through her efforts, millions have been raised for education and community service.

Retired LAPD and LA City Council member Dennis Zine was nominated by New Directions for Youth and Arthur Pfefferman. He is active on local boards such as New Directions, the Cooper Literacy Program for the West Valley Boys and Girls Club, Los Angeles Jewish Health, San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, the West Valley YMCA, and UCLA West Valley Medical Center. Dennis works to improve conditions for at-risk children and vulnerable seniors.

Sanchez chaired the 2024 nominating committee and the selection committee included UCC executive director Marian Jocz; previous recipients David Honda and Mark Levinson; 2023 Fernando honoree Mel Wilson as well as longtime community leaders Fred Gaines and Sarah Horvet.

“The caliber and accomplishments of each nominee are a reflection of how fortunate the Valley is to have such dedicated individuals volunteering and leading by example,” said finalist selection committee member Mark Levinson.

The 2024 Fernando board members include Interim Chair Vahid Khorsand, David Honda, Marian Jocz, Don Larson, Mark Levinson, Pegi Matsuda, Bruce Miller, Diana Sanchez and Mel Wilson.

For more information about the Fernando Award Foundation, visit www.fernandoawards.org