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 our guests thanks to the generosity of our sponsoring hotels.

    Lunch is by invitation only.

Previous attendees include:

Don Allen, Co-founder and Chairman, Orphalese Global Strategies
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 Real
Estate, 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
Allen Klein, President and Publisher, Angelino & 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
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 s
David Simon, LA Sports Council
Joel Stein, Columnist, LA Times
Mike Sullivan, Owner, LA Car Guy Dealerships
Matt Topper, President & Founder, Pom Wonderful
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
Victoria Yang Jin, Esq, Co-Founder, Orphalese Global Strategies
Jonathan Zeichner, Co- Director, Inside Out Community Arts
Liz Zigal, Executive Director, The Nancy Davis Foundation

Help us create authentic and
efficient charitable programs
using celebrity spokespeople
Spotlight Program:

Jamie-Lynn Sigler Foundation

Jamie-Lynn Sigler is best known
for her role as Meadow Soprano
on the hit HBO series
The
Sopranos
. A survivor of anorexia
and exercise bulimia, Jamie-Lynn
approached The Giving Back
Fund for help in raising
awareness about the dangers of
eating disorders.

The Giving Back Fund identified
Claire's and Icings stores as
companies that had the attention
of one of our target audiences ---
teens and tween girls. We
approached them about creating
a specially-designed tag that
would include information about
eating disorders and where girls
could get help.

More than 1000
Claire’s and
Icings stores across the country
carried the bracelets and
necklaces that featured the tag.  
10% of the proceeds from sales
of this special jewelry was
donated to the Foundation.   

" I didn't think anyone knew I had
an eating disorder until my sister
bought me the bracelet. Now I
know I'm not alone  What do I do
next?"  ---email from teen girl

More about the bracelets
the premier philanthropic resource
for the sports and entertainment communities