Susan Du Brin Named 2024 Fernando Award Recipient

Excitement was palpable among the estimated 200 dinner guests attending this year’s Fernando Award Foundation’s gala as the 2024 Fernando recipient was announced to be longtime Valley community leader Susan Du Brin.

The 66th annual Fernando Foundation gala reception and dinner was held at Skirball Cultural Center.

Since its first awards ceremony in 1958, 65 Valley community and business leaders have previously been named Fernando recipients. With enthusiastic applause and guests cheering, Du Brin was presented with her award by 2023 Fernando recipient Mel Wilson.

The Fernando Award is considered the highest recognition for community volunteerism given to an individual in the greater San Fernando Valley. This year 14 nominees narrowed to five finalists for a final vote by community partners to select an honoree. This year’s finalists included Du Brin, Dennis P. Zine, Armida Colmenares-Stafford, Sharon J. Udkoff and Horace H. Heidt.

“As a leading advocate in the Valley for more than two decades, Sue has been instrumental in helping those most vulnerable – seniors and children,” said Diana Sanchez, who chaired the 2024 Fernando nominating committee.

Du Brin was nominated by ONEgeneration, a major Valley social services organization and community leaders Lee and Arlene Alpert.

“Sue has been an amazing partner, supporter and advocate for ONEgeneration and it has always been a joy to work with her,” said ONEgeneration president and chief executive officer Jenna Hauss. “Sue is great at putting people and resources together. We were proud to nominate her and extend our congratulations to our one-of-a-kind friend for her decades of volunteer service.”

“Sue has been an amazing community partner, supporter and advocate for not only ONEgeneration, but so many other impactful community-based providers in the San Fernando Valley. We are so lucky to have Sue as a resource and partner,” said ONEgeneration president and CEO Jenna Hauss. “Sue is great at identifying community partners and establishing connections that create some of the valley’s most critical programs. It was our honor to nominate her and on behalf of everyone at ONEgeneration, we extend our congratulations to our one-of-a-kind friend for her decades of volunteer service.”

Du Brin currently chairs the board of the Child Development Institute (CDI). The Child Development Institute (CDI) is a nonprofit that has been providing vital programs and services to support children's growth and development from birth through early childhood for over 30 years. CDI offers a range of resources, including early learning programs, family support services, developmental screenings, and community-based initiatives, aimed at building strong foundations for children.

More than a decade ago, Du Brin founded the SFV Senior Services Directory. Thousands of the 44-page directory are published annually and distributed free to seniors and families through major Valley hospitals, medical buildings, health clinics senior facilities and elected offices. The directory has its own website for accessing the information online.

“The truth is, I love connecting people,” said Du Brin. “Specifically connecting an existing need to people who can help meet that need. I try to help address a need and, in turn, help those volunteering to thrive and succeed. I’ve learned that each person, regardless of status, has a unique combination of gifts, talents and strengths. I discovered over time that I can be pretty good at helping someone see how they can apply their particular time or resources. I love identifying opportunities where previously un-introduced people discover each other and take joy in working together on something that serves a group or organization. It’s that moment of connection and realization of possibilities that, for me, is exciting, inspiring and rewarding.”

In 2002, as a board member of the former Encino Chamber, Du Brin co-founded its Disaster Preparedness Committee, which conducts annual disaster drills to ensure community safety. Currently a Sherman Oaks/Encino Chamber volunteer, she continues to serve as chair of the Health and Wellness Committee.

In 2008, in the face of the Swine flu (H1N1) epidemic, the mayor’s office asked Du Brin to assist the LA County Department of Public Health in organizing a vaccination center in Encino. She brought together the Chamber, the county health staff, Providence Tarzana Hospital and the Balboa Sports Center in Encino to operate a center. It turned out to be the most successful H!N1 vaccine distribution in Los Angeles, inoculating over 7,500 people in a three-day period. Because of its success, Du Brin helped create another vaccination center for families in the Pacoima community.

In addition to honoring the five finalists and announcing the award recipient at the annual gala, the organization also honored three Impact Award 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 finalist selection committee included chair Diana Sanchez, previous recipients David Honda, Mark Levinson, 2023 Fernando honoree Mel Wilson as well as Fred Gaines and Sarah Horvet.

Each year, community organizations and businesses nominate outstanding individuals to be considered for this lifetime achievement award. Nominees are evaluated based on their volunteer engagement, length and number of years of volunteer service, volunteer leadership roles, fundraising success and volunteer mentorship. The confidential ballot process was managed by an outside CPA firm.

The gala dinner committee, chaired by former Fernando Foundation board chair Pegi Matsuda, was comprised of Diana Duenas, Jason Schaff, Seta Javor, Tim Vints and Waltona Manion. Table design and floral arrangements were created by Waltona Manion and Gordon Morris Events.

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