Jennifer Phelps
Advocacy & Activism
Youth4Climate
La Jolla
Jennifer Phelps is a visionary leader in climate advocacy and youth empowerment. She is a LEED and SITES Accredited Professional and the co-founder of the San Diego Sustainability Collaborative in 2016. Phelps trained with Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader in 2018 and, shortly after, began her work in the youth climate movement by helping establish the Youth Empowerment Summit, the foundation for San Diego 350's Youth4Climate Program in 2019. As a founding member of the program’s adult team, she has mentored over 250 youth, guiding them in climate leadership, activism, and advocacy. Through her mentorship, students have established environmental clubs in over 20 high schools, passed local climate resolutions, and gone on to leadership roles in government, nonprofits, and the private sector.
Crystal Hazelton
Military
Naval Medical Center Balboa
Solana Beach
Crystal Hazelton is a women's health expert with 18 years of experience in orthopedics and pelvic health. She was recognized for creating and executing the Pregnancy to Physical Readiness Test program for active duty sailors at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. This program improved sailors' safe return to physical fitness standards postpartum, which affects the sailors' mission readiness and career advancement. It has helped over 300 women and is available free online. Hazelton is committed to advancing women's health for all ages. She has created Thrive During Menopause and the Healthy Dance Masterclass series for youth dancers. She continues serving active duty service members, their spouses, veterans, and high school students interested in physical therapy.
Saundra Pelletier
Health & Human Services
Evofem Biosciences
Encinitas
Saundra Pelletier is the Interim Chair, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Director of Evofem Biosciences, Inc. Since joining the company in 2015, Ms. Pelletier has been responsible for Evofem’s rapid growth and evolution. Under her leadership, the company launched its first commercial product in September 2020 - Phexxi - the first and only hormone-free, on-demand, prescription birth control approved in the United States. She serves as an advisory board member for several non-profit organizations based in San Diego, including CEOs Against Cancer, Girls Inc., and The Center for Community Solutions.
Katrina Waidelich
Education
Carlsbad High School
Carlsbad
Katrina has 14 years of experience in teaching, curriculum design, and student development. She is the co-founder and advisor of Carlsbad High School’s Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA). GSA provides a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ students and promotes equality, equity, and acceptance. She has been awarded a grant from the Carlsbad Educational Foundation to transform her classroom into a “Thinking Classroom” to cultivate critical thinking skills and active learning. Katrina plays a pivotal role in developing student leadership through the Carlsbad Student Leader Academy. She has supported Carlsbad Unified School District’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging plan. She is also an appointed trustee for the Carlsbad Library Board.
Laura Chez
Community Service
We See You San Diego
Pacific Beach
For 18 years, Laura Chez entertained listeners as one of the few female leads in Top 40 & Alternative morning radio, hosting shows in San Diego & New York. Using the airwaves for the good of individuals in the community was always her favorite part of broadcasting. A deep longing in her heart was to have a nonprofit that allowed Laura to see people's lives transformed. That's when she and her husband, Kevin, founded We See You San Diego, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity, identity, hope, & pathways out of addiction and homelessness for those living on the streets of San Diego.
Sarah Brothers
Civic Engagement
Downtown San Diego Partnership
San Diego
Since joining the Downtown San Diego Partnership (DSDP) as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Sarah Brothers has worked tirelessly to create an environment of inclusivity for staff and downtown businesses. Sarah leads DSDP’s Membership & Events and Marketing & Communications divisions, working with her team to create memorable events for the region. Her combined history in public service and public relations makes her excellent at connecting residents, businesses, and stakeholders to DSDP, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego’s urban neighborhoods. She is a LEAD Impact and LEAD Advance program graduate and performs with a local choir.
Dr. Cynthia Burzell, Ph.D.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Aequor Inc.
Encinitas
Dr. Cynthia Burzell holds a Ph.D. in Marine and Medical Microbiology. She discovered novel chemicals in the coral reef that inhibit bacterial and fungal colonization, leading to sustainable alternatives to harmful biocides. She founded Aequor Inc., a small business that provides innovative water treatment solutions. Her small business was marked by success when NASA became its first customer, as Aequor’s water treatment was the only product that ensured safe life support systems for long-duration space missions. Dr. Burzell is leading a Department of Defense contract to improve filtration systems for removing PFAS and microplastics from drinking water and a Department of Energy grant focused on improving biofuel algae cultivation. She also mentors high school girls interested in careers in STEM and interns from local community colleges.
Jessica Hanson York
Arts & Culture
Mingei International Museum
Point Loma
Jessica Hanson York is the Executive Director of Mingei International Museum, a folk art, craft, and design museum in San Diego’s Balboa Park. York has been leading diverse facets of the museum’s operations for over 14 years, including fundraising, marketing & communications, visitor experience, membership, digital strategy, community engagement, and institutional design. She fundraised over $50 million to renovate the museum’s facility and implemented the visible changes today. She has spent 10 years in public broadcasting, leading marketing efforts to successfully launch The New Children’s Museum in downtown San Diego. York has served as a Consultant with the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and other local nonprofit institutions.
Stephanie Zungia
Young Leader
E3 Civic High School
San Diego
Stephanie Zungia is a student at E3 Civic High in Downtown San Diego. As a first-generation college-bound student, she has had to overcome numerous obstacles to carve a path to success. She discovered her passion for STEAM fields in elementary school while participating in the first LEGO League Robotics Competition. Her love has followed her to high school as the Captain of the school robotics team. Zungia also serves as the Associated Student Body Senior Council President. She is an active Architecture, Construction, and Engineering Club member. She is on the board of MANA de San Diego, a nonprofit supporting Latinas striving to attain higher education. She volunteers for local community events and plans to attend a community college before transferring to a four-year institution.
Ciana Aurich
Young Leader
San Diego High School
San Diego
Ciana Aurich is a highly motivated high school junior who is actively involved in advocacy and volunteering. Despite her background and being raised by a single mother, she still finds a way to support her community. She is the Co-President of the Women Empowerment Club, which unites young women across campus to empower them on their academic journeys. Aurich is a tutor and mentor to children at Solana Ranch Elementary School through the Study Buddies Program while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She wants to continue working with both organizations and advocate for an alcohol and drug-free environment in local elementary and middle schools as a Teen Presenter. She plans to attend Duke University and pursue a career in medicine.
Dr. Rebecca Rakow-Penner, MD, Ph.D.
Woman of the Year
UC San Diego
La Jolla
Dr. Rebecca Rakow-Penner is improving women’s healthcare in our community and across the globe. She is a tenured Associate Professor of Radiology and Bioengineering at UC San Diego (UCSD) and founder of the Women’s Imaging Fellowship at UCSD. She and her team have developed novel imaging techniques that empower patients and their clinicians to detect early stages of cancer and evaluate responses to treatment of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer. She has received numerous accolades for her work, including the National Cancer Institute MERIT and Clinician Educator awards.