Lunch With Leaders

 

This exclusive monthly luncheon series is convened by The Giving Back Fund. The Lunch with Leaders series provides an intimate forum for ten leading business and nonprofit executives to meet one another in an elegant but informal social setting.

 

The Giving Back Fund sets no agenda except to foster civic engagement and a strong and caring Los Angeles community. Each guest is asked to spend five minutes introducing himself/herself, which inevitably leads to engaging discussions and unexpected synergies.

 

As intended, these lunches have led to new friendships, business partnerships, and a greater awareness of the nonprofit organizations supported by our guests.

 

A sumptuous five-star lunch amid the unparalleled ambiance of one of the nation's finest hotels is offered to our guests thanks to the generosity of local five-star hotels.

 

Lunch is by invitation only.

 

Previous attendees include:

• Chris Bechtel, VP, Sales, Marketing and Product Development, iPressroom
  
• John Bendheim, President, Bendheim Enterprises
  
• Michael Berenbaum, President, The Berenbaum Group
  
• Bishop Charles Blake, presiding Bishop, Church of God In Christ
  
• Johanna Blakley, Deputy Director of USC's Norman Lear Center
  
• Phil Button, VP, Global Sports and Entertainment at William Morris Agency
  
• Claudia Caplan, Chief Marketing Officer, Mendelsohn Zien
  
• David Carter, Principal, Sports Business Group & Director, Sports Business Institute USC
  
• Fred Claire, former General Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers
  
• Crystal Allen Cook, Director, See Jane
  
• William H. Crookston, Faculty, USC Marshall School of Business
  
• Jeff Duva, Founder and President, Collegiate Sports of America
  
• Susan Estrich, Professor of Law and Political Science at USC & Commentator Fox News
  
• Marie Gallo Dyak, EVP, Entertainment Industries Council
  
• Scott Edelman, Partner, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP
  
• Jonathan Estrin, Vice President, American Film Institute
  
• Lash Fary, Founder and President, Distinctive Assets
  
• Randy Freer, President, Fox Sports Network
  
• John Gallegos, Principal, Grupos Gallegos
  
• Valencia Gayles, President, True Agency
  
• Tamar Geller, Life & Dog Coach
  
• Sharon Gelman, Executive Director, Artists for a New South Africa
  
• Ben Goldhirsh, CEO, Reason Pictures & Publisher, Good Magazine
  
• Betty Graham, President and Chief Operating Officer of Coldwell Banker Residential RealEstate, Greater Los Angeles
  
• Cathy Griffin, The Griffin Network
  
• David Haspel, Haspel Communications Inc.
  
• Mary Herne, Executive Vice President International Television, Peace Arch Entertainment Group
  
• Rene Jones, Director, United Talent Agency Foundation
  
• Brent Kessel, Co-Founder, Abacus Wealth
  
• Alan Klein, President and Publisher, Angeleno & President of Modern Luxury’s Western Division
  
• Rob Kramer, Chairman and Co-Foundation, Global Water Trust
  
• David Lash, Managing Counsel, O'Melveny & Myers LLP
  
• Catherine Lepone, Executive Director, The Paralysis Project of America
  
• David Margulies, CEO, New Pacific Realty
  
• Rachel McCallister, Co-President, mPRm Public Relations
  
• Maidie Oliveau, Co-Founder, Law Sports
  
• Bruce O’Neil, President and Founder, USBA
• Michael Mendelsohn, President Patriot Pictures
  
• Diana Miller, Executive Director, Donald Sterling Foundation
  
• Kit Rachlis, Editor-in-Chief, Los Angeles Magazine
  
• Andy Reif, Commissioner and CEO, Championship Gaming Series
  
• Mark Rieck, Executive Director, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
  
• Katy Saeger, Senior Vice President, 5W Public Relations
  
• Eric Schwartzman, Founder and Managing Director, Schwartzman & Associates Public Relations
  
• Sander Schwartz, President, Warner Brothers Animation
  
• David Simon, LA Sports Council
• Rachel Smith, Miss USA
  
• Joel Stein, Columnist, LA Times
  
• Mike Sullivan, Owner, LA Car Guy Dealerships
  
• Matt Topper, President & Founder, Pom Wonderful
• John Wentworth, Executive Vice President, CBS
  
• Rabbi David Wolpe, author and Rabbi of Sinai Temple
  
• Rachael Worby, Music Director, Pasadena Pops Orchestra
  
• Dr. Antronette Yancey, MD, Phd, Associate professor UCLA School of Public Health
  
• Jonathan Zeichner, Co- Director, Inside Out Community Arts
  
• Liz Zigal, Executive Director, The Nancy Davis Foundation