Under the warm glow of the Castaway Restaurant’s chandeliers, an atmosphere of celebration enveloped the room as community leaders, family members, and friends gathered on December 6 to honor 41 extraordinary women, nine of whom have strong ties to the
Burbank community.
These women, heralded for their professional acumen and civic engagement, were the guests of honor at State Senator Anthony Portantino’s district legislative update and awards luncheon. The event, a blend of official ceremony and heartfelt family moments, drew an audience of nearly 400 — a testament to the impact and inspiration these leaders have fostered in their community.
State Senator Portantino encapsulated the spirit of the occasion, saying, “Their credentials and achievements prove to girls and young women that they can be anything they choose.” A record-breaking number of nominations for the awards this year underscored the community’s recognition of these leaders’ contributions, he said.
Among the esteemed Burbank honorees stood Lucy Simonyan, an entrepreneur whose vision and dedication have left an indelible mark on the community. Celebrated not only for her innovative downtown boutique, Lusanet Collective but also for her generous volunteer work, Simonyan embodies the spirit of service and entrepreneurship. She seized the opportunity to turn the award ceremony into a dynamic classroom for her daughter Angelina, an eighth-grade student at John Muir Middle School. For Angelina, watching her mother and other women be honored was more than a moment of pride; it was a vivid demonstration that the proverbial glass ceiling is meant to be broken. The award, Simonyan noted, was “a testament to the dedication and resilience that women bring to the business world. It’s a reminder that every challenge overcome is a step toward progress. Success is a journey and not an end goal.”
The familial theme continued with honoree Claudine Hager, who, with her husband, resurrected Burbank’s oldest restaurant, Chili John’s, to its former glory. As a mother of three daughters and a full-time buyer for Princess Cruises, she expressed astonishment at her husband Stephen’s decision to nominate her as a small business owner, emphasizing her preference for behind-the-scenes work. Yet, her husband’s gesture spoke volumes about the significant contributions she’s made and how success is often a quiet accumulation of daily efforts….
Burbank’s Trailblazing Businesswomen Shine at Senator Portantino’s Legislative Luncheon
Under the warm glow of the Castaway Restaurant’s chandeliers, an atmosphere of celebration enveloped the room as community leaders, family members, and friends gathered on December 6 to honor 41 extraordinary women, nine of whom have strong ties to the
Burbank community.
These women, heralded for their professional acumen and civic engagement, were the guests of honor at State Senator Anthony Portantino’s district legislative update and awards luncheon. The event, a blend of official ceremony and heartfelt family moments, drew an audience of nearly 400 — a testament to the impact and inspiration these leaders have fostered in their community.
State Senator Portantino encapsulated the spirit of the occasion, saying, “Their credentials and achievements prove to girls and young women that they can be anything they choose.” A record-breaking number of nominations for the awards this year underscored the community’s recognition of these leaders’ contributions, he said.
Among the esteemed Burbank honorees stood Lucy Simonyan, an entrepreneur whose vision and dedication have left an indelible mark on the community. Celebrated not only for her innovative downtown boutique, Lusanet Collective but also for her generous volunteer work, Simonyan embodies the spirit of service and entrepreneurship. She seized the opportunity to turn the award ceremony into a dynamic classroom for her daughter Angelina, an eighth-grade student at John Muir Middle School. For Angelina, watching her mother and other women be honored was more than a moment of pride; it was a vivid demonstration that the proverbial glass ceiling is meant to be broken. The award, Simonyan noted, was “a testament to the dedication and resilience that women bring to the business world. It’s a reminder that every challenge overcome is a step toward progress. Success is a journey and not an end goal.”
The familial theme continued with honoree Claudine Hager, who, with her husband, resurrected Burbank’s oldest restaurant, Chili John’s, to its former glory. As a mother of three daughters and a full-time buyer for Princess Cruises, she expressed astonishment at her husband Stephen’s decision to nominate her as a small business owner, emphasizing her preference for behind-the-scenes work. Yet, her husband’s gesture spoke volumes about the significant contributions she’s made and how success is often a quiet accumulation of daily efforts….