The Fernando Award Foundation Board of Directors have announced the final five finalist for the prestigious Fernando Award, regarded as the highest honor a person can receive for a lifetime of volunteer leadership in the San Fernando Valley.
A selection committee made up of community leaders including the chair and 1999 Fernando Award Honoree, Lee Kanon Alpert, Zev Ashkenazi, Reverend Zedar Broadous, Mark Levinson the 2015 Fernando Award recipient, and Christy Vega narrowed down the nominees to the final five. The five finalists are Armida Colmenares-Stafford, first vice president and senior relationship manager with Columbia Bank; Dennis D. Young certified financial planner, Western International Securities, Inc.; Steve Fazo, chief financial officer, Fazio Enterprises; Jorge Rabaso, Owner of Rabaso Insurance; and Sharon Udkoff, a certified public accountant.
“Community partners and past recipients will have an opportunity to place their confidential vote for one of the nominees which will be managed by an independent CPA firm. One person will be named the 2025 recipient of the Annual Fernando Award at the 67th annual Fernando Foundation gala which will be held at the Skirball Cultural Center on Friday, November 7th.”
“Ticket and sponsorships information can be found athttps://fernandoawards.org/2025-event/ The deadline for program advertising and sponsorships is Friday, October 17th.
Armida Colmenares-Stafford, First Vice President of the newly merged Columbia Bank was nominated by the Valley Economic Alliance and the Annenberg School of Nursing. Colmenares-Stafford serves as the Chair of both The Alliance and the Annenberg School. She also serves on the Board of Proxy Parent Foundation, supporting Californians with developmental disabilities. She was the first Latina Chair of the United Chambers of Commerce (UCC) where she served a record 4 years. In 2023, she was recognized with United Chamber’s Inspirational Women Award and the Los Angeles Business Journal has recognized her at one of the Valley 200 Most Influential Leaders each year since 2021. Armida has an unshakeable belief in the power of connecting and networking for business success and in the power of education to change lives and health.
Dennis DeYoung was nominated by Cal State University, Northridge and Keith Nathaniel. Dennis believes that we only have so many minutes on this earth and devoting our time to a cause that we are compassionate about is certainly the highest and best use of our time. He is a long-time supporter of California State University Northridge and has been involved with the university in various capacities. Dennis has also served as a member of the Pierce College Advisory Committee, is the past president of the Northridge West Neighborhood Council and as a former member of the American Heart Association’s board of directors. He continues to be active with the Volunteers Cleaning Communities and Northridge Beautification.
Steve Fazio nominated by Dale Surowitz and Rickey Gelb. Active with the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps for over 40 years, Steve believes that everyone has an obligation to help make our community better than how we found it. He has also served as the founding President of Sierra Canyon School and held board positions for organizations such as the Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles City Fire Department and the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Board for Pepperdine University, the LAPD Operation Valley Bureau Foundation, California Peace Officer Association, the Ronald Reagon Presidential Library, Providence Tarzana Medical Center, and among others.
Jorge Rabaso was nominated by Teylez Perez and Claudia Shah. Jorge said that it makes him happy to support others and be a part of their journey. He is the founder of the Hispanic Business Network, an association of Hispanic entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. Jorge is also a board member for Meeting Each Need with Dignity, The Valley Fair, Panorama City Neighborhood Council and has served as an advisor for the Archdioceses of Los Angeles. As part of his community efforts, Jorge has given financial, insurance
and motivational talks to business owners, executives and entrepreneurs. A true connector, he champions networking as a way to bring people together and help them learn from one another.
Sharon J. Udkoff, Certified Public Accountant, nominated by Los Angeles Jewish Health and Los Angeles Valley College, has been on the Los Angeles Valley College Foundation Board for over 20 years, serving on the executive committee in varying capacities. A former student herself, she has a great passion for students and seniors. She has served on the Executives Board a support group for Los Angeles Jewish Health for over 30 years. She has also served on the Land Use Committee for the Studio City Neighborhood Council and more. Sharon loves to see the organizations she belongs to grow. She says there is so much we could do to improve this world if everyone just gave a little of themselves.
Former Fernando Foundation board chair Pegi Matsuda and Tim Vints are planning the annual gala dinner. In addition to honoring the five finalists and announcing the 2025 Fernando Award recipient at the annual gala, five Impact Award honorees will be selected for their service to the community.
About the Fernando Awards Foundation
Since 1958, the Fernando Foundation has been recognizing individuals for their volunteer leadership in the San Fernando Valley. The 2025 Fernando board members include Chair Vahid Khorsand, Vice Chair and 2021 recipient Diana Sanchez, Secretary and the 2024 recipient Sue Du Brin, Co-Treasurers Bruce Miller and Marco Santana, Susana Gomez, Albert Hernandez, Sarah Horvet, Marian Jocz, and past recipients Lee Kanon Alpert, David Honda, Mark Levinson, Jane Skeeter and Mel Wilson.
The Fernando Award organization also presents scholarships to students who have been role models for volunteerism in their schools, inspiring a new generation of volunteers and philanthropists. This year, the Fernando Scholarship committee,