2026 Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards | Event Recap

Tuesday, June 9
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
8:30 am – 2:30 PM

This year’s 2026 Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards, which took place Tuesday, June 9th at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown was a half day event of inspiration, education and recognition of such leaders. The top businesswomen in Los Angeles shared their wisdom through a series of dynamic discussions during the breakfast symposium covering topics such as:

• Culture, Collaboration & Connection in Modern Leadership;
• Burnout, Boundaries & Balance: Sustainable Success at Every Age;
• Beyond Mentorship: Advocacy, Allyship & Collective Power

…and much more!

The afternoon portion was a spirited luncheon awards program where we honored outstanding achievements by women who make a difference throughout Los Angeles. With hundreds of incredible nominees, there are clearly many accomplished and impactful leaders to draw inspiration from. We honored the achievements by a number of powerful women who have made a difference throughout Los Angeles. Each of these remarkable honorees and finalists are described in these pages.

INSIDE THE SUPPLEMENT

Building Cultures Where People Belong and Grow
As leaders, we often talk about developing talent, but some of the most impactful moments in a person’s career happen….

Keeping Los Angeles Covered Means All-In on Our Community and Its Healthcare
Los Angeles County is home to world-class talent, innovation, and opportunity. It is also home to far too many families whose ….

Play Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Public Health Imperative
Across America, too many children are losing access to one of the most essential ingredients for healthy development: ….

California Invests $26 Million to Recruit More Women Into Construction Careers
In an effort to address statewide construction needs and build equity in the workforce…

Paying It Forward: Effectively Mentoring the Next Generation
As women continue to gain ground in executive leadership roles across industries, many are recognizing an important….

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2026 WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AWARDS HONOREES

CEO OF THE YEAR

Honoree
KRISTEN CERF – Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Honoree
TAMMY WALLACE – UCLA Health

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

Honoree
DELILAH LANOIX – Butterfli Technologies

EMERGING WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

Honoree
KATHERINE RODRIGUEZ ORBACH – The Cozy Cookie Company, LLC

CHAMPION OF WOMEN

Honoree
HEATHER SPILSBURY – 50/50 Women on Boards

MENTOR OF THE YEAR

Honoree
ELISABETH SUH – HNTB Corporation

COMMUNITY IMPACT ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

Honoree
MYRALYN NARTEY – Playing for Keeps Foundation

THE ACCELERATOR AWARD

Honoree
SANA SARFRAZ – Miso Robotics

NEXTGEN WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Honoree
KYLIE RAWN – Cushman & Wakefield

For the list of Finalists:

click here

PANELISTS & TOPICS:

Culture, Collaboration & Connection
in Modern Leadership
9:30am

Burnout, Boundaries & Balance:
Sustainable Success at Every Stage
10:15am

Beyond Mentorship:
Advocacy, Allyship & Collective Power
11:00am

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS