2024 Fernando Award Finalists
Armida Colmenares-Stafford
First Vice President/Senior Relationship Manager Pacific Premier Bank
Nominated by:
- Dale Surowitz
- United Chambers of Commerce
Her Story: At a young age, Armida Colmenares-Stafford began volunteering. Due to her parents’ language barrier and her sister’s disability, she became a voice for them and others. She’s never stopped assisting and advocating for underrepresented groups. In her professional life and throughout her volunteer activities, Armida has worked to help families and local businesses by promoting well-being and economic growth.
What She’s Accomplished: As First Vice President of the Valley Economic Alliance (The Alliance), Armida is focused on improving the vitality of businesses throughout the San Fernando Valley. As co-chair of The Alliance’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative, she helps develop strategies and innovative programs to more effectively reach, serve and represent diverse and traditionally underserved Valley stakeholders. She was the first Latina Chair of the United Chambers of Commerce where she helped to secure $450,000 in funding to help small chambers stay afloat during the early years of COVID. And as a member of the Board and Business Committee of Proxy Parent Foundation, Armida helps provide professional and caring services for people who are disabled and their families throughout California.
In Her Own Words: “I saw the many challenges newcomers like me faced with language and cultural barriers as well as the many opportunities that could be. As an adult, I realized the important role our Valley’s civic and government institutions play in the lives of residents and volunteered to effectively link these institutions together to better serve individuals and create value in their lives.”
Susan Du Brin
Community Advocate and West Valley Medical Center-Retired
Nominated by:
- ONEgeneration
- Lee & Arlene Alpert
Her Story: Sue Du Brin loves connecting people with organizations—and she’s very good at it. Over the past few decades, she has been involved in a wide variety of causes, working with other volunteers on projects that have benefited the Valley in many ways. She has found that great work can be done when like-minded individuals are connected with each other and an organization.
What She’s Accomplished: Sue’s strong resume of community projects include linking local medical professionals together on such initiatives as blood drives and health-related speaker series for seniors. She helped bring Providence Tarzana Medical Center (currently Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center) and the Parkinson’s Resource Organization together to create Parkinson’s Caregiver and Educational Support Groups which are still active today. These groups provide patients and their caregivers with a place to share their fears, hopes and questions with others facing the same battle. She has worked with the Child Development Institute to meet the medical needs of children and spearheaded a project with the Encino Chamber of Commerce and ONEgeneration to create a first-of-its-kind Valley senior services directory. Sue has also been instrumental in working with the Encino Chamber of Commerce and other entities on disaster preparedness and has volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, and The Help Group.
In Her Own Words: “I love identifying opportunities where previously unintroduced people discover each other and take joy in working together on something that serves a group or organization.”
Horace H. Heidt
President, Horace Heidt Agency Company Inc.
Nominated by:
- Sherry Keowen
- Kathleen Sterling
His Story: Horace Heidt has been an active volunteer in various Valley non-profits over many decades. From chambers of commerce to entertainment-related organizations, Horace has used his skills, knowledge, and connections to help improve the area in many ways. He served the Sherman Oaks and Encino Chambers of Commerce for many years before and after their merger, as well as the United Chambers of Commerce. Other entities, such as the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), Pierce College, and New Directions for Youth, have benefited from his efforts. Horace’s company owns and operates a unique 220-unit, 10-acre apartment complex in Sherman Oaks.
What He’s Accomplished: Horace’s chamber work garnered him the Justice Armand Arabian Leaders in Public Service Award and Rose Goldwater Award. He helped develop the VCC Endowment Fund while volunteering with the Valley Cultural Center and was honored as Citizen of the Year by the East Valley Coordinating Council. He is a Rotarian and a long-time member of the Los Angeles and Anaheim Convention Bureaus, is a member of Hollywood Media Professionals, and has served with the Food Industry Circle of the City of Hope, Navy League, Big Band Academy of America and Children’s Village USA. Heidt founded the Horace Heidt Big Band Foundation, which promotes concerts at public parks free of charge.
In His Own Words: “I understand the importance of effective collaboration in volunteer work and I am dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all volunteers. Overall, my goal is to make a lasting impact through my volunteer work and I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Sharon Udkoff
Sharon Udkoff, CPA
Nominated by:
- Los Angeles Jewish Health
- Los Angeles Valley College
Her story: Sharon Udkoff knows that money is at the root of most things. Good works are no exception, so Sharon does what she does best—balancing the books, setting up budgets and raising funds—to help a variety of non-profits do what they do best—help those in need. Sharon has spent the better part of her professional life volunteering for The Executives of Los Angeles Jewish Health, Los Angeles Valley College Foundation, the Studio City Residents Association, Save Los Angeles River Open Space and others.
What She’s Accomplished: During the 30-plus years she has served on the board of The Executives, she was co-chair of its annual fundraising gala, the Circle of Life Dinner, and most recently returned to the post of Treasurer, a position she earlier held for eight years. Her own experience attending night school later in life to transition to her CPA career led to helping Los Angeles Valley College Foundation bring resources to other students. Over the past 20 years, she was instrumental in growing the Foundation’s assets from $400,000 to $10 million. She has served as Treasurer and Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee, Finance Committee and Audit Committee. Currently serving on the Development/Nominating Committee, Sharon has recruited at least five new board members for the LAVC Foundation.
In Her Own Words: “Helping others has become a way of life for me. There is so much we could do to improve this world and if everyone just gave a little of themselves it would make an enormous difference.”
Dennis P. Zine
Retired Consultant, Los Angeles Police Department/Los Angeles City Council
Nominated by:
- New Directions for Youth
- Arthur Pfefferman
His Story: Dennis Zine’s immigrant grandparents and mother inspired him to help others by contributing to the community. He has done that in various ways—as an LAPD police officer, LA City Councilperson and as a volunteer at countless organizations throughout the San Fernando Valley. For decades, he has helped many of our citizens improve their lives, among them seniors, at-risk youth and domestic violence victims.
What He’s Accomplished: For 30 years, Dennis has been involved with The Executives, the fundraising support group for Los Angeles Jewish Health, the senior residential living and healthcare provider. He has helped raise millions of dollars for them. He is also a board member of New Directions for Youth, an organization that provides services to more than 3,000 at-risk youth and families. He helped deliver food to them during the pandemic. Dennis is also a board member for San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, West Valley YMCA and UCLA West Valley Medical Center. Among the many other groups he has been involved with are West Valley-Warner Center Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Oakridge board, Woodland Hills/Warner Center Lions Club and Haven Hills. He is a committee member of Boys & Girls Club of West Valley/Cooper Literacy Program.
In His Own Words: “As an officer in LAPD, I was able to see firsthand the needs of the community, I volunteered on several boards over the years to address these needs.”