MICHELLE SCHWARTZ
Managing Partner, Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Calabasas
The Agency

Beverly Hills native Michelle Schwartz epitomizes the luxury and sophistication synonymous with Los Angeles. Immersed in the city’s real estate landscape from a young age, she offers a profound understanding of the area’s diverse neighborhoods and skillfully helps her clients find their place within them. As a founding member of The Agency, Schwartz stands as the first female managing partner for The Agency, and now oversees the company’s Valley offices in managing partner for The Agency, and now oversees the company’s Valley offices in Sherman Oaks, Calabasas and Studio City.

Now, with a real estate career spanning over a decade, Schwartz meticulously caters to both the opulent Westside and the vibrant Valley, showcasing her multifaceted persona on Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills Season 2. Leveraging her extensive experience in brand and lifestyle marketing – combined with The Agency’s vast global network and resources – she provides her clientele with exposure and insight.

Schwartz’s ethos revolves around unwavering communication and transparency. Known for her white glove service commitment to excellence, she orchestrates every facet of the real estate journey with finesse.

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SONIA SMITH KANG
CEO
Mixed Up Clothing

Sonia Smith Kang is an inspiring leader who has made a big impact in Los Angeles. As the CEO of Mixed Up Clothing, she is running a successful children’s apparel business creating clothes that celebrate the many cultures that make up our community. Kang bravely switched careers, from nursing to fashion, to fill a gap she saw in children’s fashion, where many cultures weren’t represented.

The courage it took for Kang to invest everything into her dream and the passion The courage it took for Kang to invest everything into her dream and the passion she shows in helping her community makes her stand out. Her designs are now sold at Macy’s and Target.

She’s more than a business owner; she’s a leader who is helping to build a world where every child can see themselves in the clothes they wear and feel proud of who they are.

Kang’s heart for service shines in her volunteer work too. She has been serving the community as an advocate and activist for three decades. She currently serves as vice president of Multiracial Americans of Southern California. As a role model, she is inspiring the next generation.

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NADIA GELLER
Principal and Managing Director
Nadia Geller Designs

Throughout her life, Nadia Geller has been fearless in her career decisions, exemplifying the braveness needed to be a catalyst for change. As the founder and principal of Nadia Geller Designs (NGD), Geller launched her business in 2005.

Since that time, she has formed a company that not only works in the full spectrum of real estate, but also on a personal level cultivates a culture of forward-thinking female employes with knowledge on how to be solutions-oriented in all situations. be solutions-oriented in all situations.

After some successes transforming interior spaces on TV, Geller came to Los Angeles and decided to make that the home of NGD. With the goal of pursuing both residential and commercial design projects, she instantly sought to connect with the best architecture firms, developers and general contractors in the city including The Kor Group and Cityview.

Even as Geller rose as a prominent figure in interior design, starting her own company took a significant amount of determination and innovation. Now, Geller has an average roster of 20 projects spanning large ground up multi-family, hospitality, student housing and residential projects.

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MICHELE BERNSTEIN
Owner / President
Michi B, Inc.

Leading tour marketing executive Michele Bernstein has traveled far and wide during her nearly three-decade career in the concert business, 18 years of which were spent at William Morris Agency, then after it merged with Endeavor, where she rose to become a fully vested partner in the music department headed by Marc Geiger. Still, the self-described “legitimate Valley Girl” has never strayed far from her roots, born in Encino, raised in Chatsworth and still making her home in the 818 in roots, born in Encino, raised in Chatsworth and still making her home in the 818 in Sherman Oaks.

The much-decorated Bernstein took the occasion of COVID to leave her home of nearly 20 years to launch her own business, Michi B. Inc., to focus on her expertise of tour marketing, with WME one of her first clients. Her current Michi B. Inc. projects includes overseeing the tour marketing for SZA, Drake, Lizzo, Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Machine Gun Kelly, Tool, Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Festival, Muse, Disturbed, Dead & Company, AFI, Greta Van Fleet and much more. She also launched the original celebrity chef touring circuit with Guy Fieri and Alton Brown.

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DIANE WAGNER
Senior Vice President; Project and Information Technology Manager
Republic Business Credit

Diane Wagner is a true luminary in both the finance and information technology sectors who symbolizes the resilience and determination required of women as they navigated the complexities of career advancement while balancing familial responsibilities, breaking barriers in a predominantly male-dominated field.

Wagner’s philanthropic endeavors and community involvement reflect her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact beyond the confines of her professional career. Despite the demands of balancing her work and family responsibilities, she has dedicated countless hours to volunteering at her daughter’s schools, providing invaluable IT support and setting up networks to enhance educational experiences. Her tireless efforts have bridged the technological gap in underserved communities, ensuring that teachers have the resources they need to effectively integrate technology into the classroom.

In addition to her work in education, Wagner has been a steadfast supporter of local sports leagues, championing opportunities for children to participate in soccer and skating regardless of financial constraints.

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LISA LAURENT
Chief Medical Officer
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center

Lisa Laurent, MD joined Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in late 2022 as chief medical officer. Under her leadership, the hospital has achieved or exceeded performance benchmarks in a multitude of areas. She builds relationships and trust, is a collaborative leader, and has worked exceptionally hard to create an environment where all physicians, especially women physicians, can flourish.

She developed a program entitled Empowerment in Practice to promote engagement, collaboration and patient referrals among women physicians, and has been asked to mentor or coach eight individuals since joining our hospital.

Dr. Laurent’s leadership style is strategic, democratic and affiliative, rooted in empathy and understanding – putting people first. She embraces and strives to model the behaviors of servant leadership by prioritizing the needs, success, and aspirations of those whom she leads in a non-judgmental and encouraging environment. She is deeply sensitive to the needs and concerns of the healthcare team and recognizes the importance of appreciating the value, health and well-being, and professional fulfillment of physicians, providers, nurses, associates and volunteers.

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SONYA KAY BLAKE
President and CEO
The Valley Economic Alliance

Sonya Kay Blake stepped up to the plate as president and CEO of The Valley Economic Alliance at the onset of the COVID pandemic.

During this time, she quickly created virtual programs to assist companies in staying afloat, resilient and open during economic down-turns. During this period, she envisioned and held 22 webinars with over 1700 businesses registered for critical resources and contacts.

Entrepreneurship is in Blake’s blood, and she’s been committed to helping entrepreneurs find financial self-sufficiency and success. With her leadership, she helps create jobs and livelihoods for new neighbors and their families when the Alliance supports those mom-and-pop businesses along Valley’s main streets.

One of Blake’s passions is to help close the wealth gap. Under her stewardship, one of the essential elements of One of Blake’s passions is to help close the wealth gap. Under her stewardship, one of the essential elements of the Valley Economic Alliance is that it can pursue a prosperous San Fernando Valley in an inclusive, equitable way that honors diversity while pursuing sustainability to create these opportunities, preserve the environment for the future, and enjoy an improved quality of life for all.

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TAMARA GURNEY
President & CEO
Mission Valley Bank

Tamara Gurney is the visionary force behind Mission Valley Bank, serving as its founding president and chief executive officer. The bank is a vital asset to the community’s growth and sustainability, boasting two branches and divisions specializing in specialized lending, accounts receivable, community development and merchant bankcard services, catering to the needs of over 6,000 clients.

Gurney’s journey in community banking began in 1980 when she joined American Pacific State Bank as the executive assistant to the president. Over the course of two decades, she ascended to the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer before the bank’s eventual sale.

Today at Mission Valley Bank, Gurney is a true leader who has overcome numerous challenges on her path to success, including breaking through barriers as a young female entrepreneur and serving as a mentor to young women.

Furthermore, she has contributed her expertise as the past-founding chair of the Community Foundation of the Valleys and remains actively engaged in various local non-profit organizations, including the Southland Sings and Fernando Awards Board.

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