B-56 ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS APRIL 16, 2018

2018 Women of the Year Award Nomineeshelp Realtors® secure and sell properties up to $30 million. Bonasoro earned an MBAfrom Chapman University’s George Argyros School of Business and Economics with anemphasis in entrepreneurship. She serves on the Alumni Association Board ofDirectors to address next generation alumni issues. A founding member of OCYPN,she has held leadership positions and published a Playbook used by chaptersnationwide. She is also a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters Orange County.Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties’ dedicated real estate expertsguide clients through the home buying or selling experience.

Adrienne Brandes, Real Estate AgentSurterre Properties, Newport BeachFor 25 years, Adrienne Brandes has assisted her clientele inbuying and selling luxury properties in the Orange Countymarket. Armed with her master’s degree in counselingpsychology and her experience of running a cosmeticsbusiness and public relations firm, her contributions to theindustry include her comprehensive expertise in all facets ofthe enterprise, negotiating skills, and her tireless work ethic toensure every client is satisfied. She has closed some of themost significant real estate deals in Orange County, includingmore than $194 million in sales in the last four years.Brandes is incredibly hands-on with each client, providing herundivided attention and personal touch to every encounter with passion from start tofinish. Surterre Properties is a residential real estate brokerage.

Lynnette Brown, CFOKKW Trucking Inc., PomonaAfter graduating college, Lynnette Brown started working forKKW Trucking Inc. in an entry-level position as aprogrammer. Through years of hard work, she climbed herway through the organization, spent time in every departmentof the company, and eventually was promoted to CFO. Shehas held her current CFO position for the past 20 years andprovides strategic direction for the company. Brown is alsothe current president of the California Trucking Association,an organization that promotes leadership in the Californiamotor carrier industry; advocates sound transportationpolicies to all levels of government; and works to maintain asafe, environmentally responsible and efficient Californiatransportation goods movement system. The organization has an 84-year history and iscomprised of 12 regional units.

Michelle Brown, Real Estate AgentSurterre Properties, Newport BeachMichelle Brown is a highly acclaimed coastal real estateprofessional with 15 years in the industry and nearly $400million in sales. Brown is an active investor and a 25-yearresident of Corona del Mar. She is well-known for her marketexpertise and passion for garnering the maximum for herclients from their real estate investments. She formed her realestate group 15 years ago and proudly works alongside herpartners, Dana Christensen and Cara Farley. She hasenjoyed a variety of rewarding careers, including director ofmarketing for The Irvine Company’s Fashion Island, whilealso serving as an integral part of the development team ofthe Irvine Spectrum Center. Her past business experienceincludes consulting for high-profile retailers and an international pharmaceuticalcompany. Early in her career, Brown served as investor relations manager andspokesperson for a 130-store publicly traded women’s apparel chain. SurterreProperties is a residential real estate brokerage.

Leslie Calhoun, Senior Partner/Chief Compliance OfficerOptivest Wealth Management, Dana PointIn her 11 years at Optivest Wealth Management, LeslieCalhoun implements tactical investment strategies andmonitors investment performances. With more than 25 yearsof investment industry experience, she works to provide theutmost care in serving her clients’ financial needs andfacilitating success. Calhoun’s passion lies in fosteringfinancial growth for successful women leaders. She takesgreat pride in her ability to do more than just manage clientportfolios; she works to instruct, guide, and delivercustomized financial and investment insight for her clientsamidst their fast-paced lives. Calhoun also coachesindividuals going through difficult transitions, working to build confidence, knowledge,independence and self-esteem. Optivest began in 1987 with the goal of providingholistic wealth management services to a select group of successful individuals andfamilies in Southern California.

Victoria Carr-Brendel, CEOJenaValve Technology Inc., IrvineVictoria Carr-Brendel has more than 25 years of medicaldevice experience, including the development andcommercialization of medical device products acrossdisease states. She began her career with Baxter Healthcarein research and development of an artificial pancreas. Sheheld increasingly higher leadership roles within R&D,including women’s healthcare (Adiana) and in glucosesensor technology (Dexcom). JenaValve Technology Inc. is aprivate, venture-capital-backed company headquartered in

Irvine with operations in Munich, Germany. The organization develops, manufacturesand markets transcatheter aortic valve repair systems to treat patients suffering fromaortic valve disease.

Leslie Carter, Chief Operating OfficerUnitedHealthcare, CypressLeslie Carter has worked hard and accomplished a great dealin her 30-year tenure in the healthcare industry, most ofwhich has been with UnitedHealthcare and its predecessorcompanies. She spent the majority of her career in networkmanagement, negotiating and managing relationships withkey hospital and medical groups in California. She wasinstrumental in building the PPO network that now servesalmost one million UnitedHealthcare members. Herachievements in her current role are focused on drivingimproved operational performance and employee teamworkby aligning goals and improving accountability. In addition toa wonderful combination of professionalism and enthusiasm, she has often beencommended for her achievements in helping fellow executives and rank-and-fileemployees understand the complex world of health insurance.

Antonella Castro, Business Owner/Founder/Real Estate& Business AttorneyKAP7 International Inc., Newport BeachAntonella Castro is a strategic leader making impactfulstrides in Orange County. She represents Mobilitie LLC asthe special outside counsel and is the acting general counselfor KAP7 International Inc. She has been recognizednumerous times for her accolades in law and business andthrough her community and charitable efforts. In 2005, Castroand her husband founded KAP7 International Inc., the officialwater polo ball of the National Collegiate Athletic Association,USA Water Polo, CIF, League of European Nations and isplayed with throughout the world. Recently, KAP7International Inc. opened in the New Zealand market. As the special outside counselfor Mobilitie LLC, she drafts and negotiates agreements related to construction,installation and operation of distributed antennae systems and small cell wirelessnetworks including, but not limited to, venue lease agreements, design, construction,installation and maintenance agreements.

Geri Cerkovnik, CEODale Carnegie of Orange County, Santa AnaFounded in 1912, Dale Carnegie has evolved from one man’sbelief in the power of self-improvement to a performance-based training company with offices worldwide. The companyfocuses on giving people in business the opportunity tosharpen their skills and improve their performance in order tobuild positive, steady and profitable results. Dale Carnegieemphasizes practical principles and processes by designingprograms that offer people the knowledge, skills and practicesthey need to add value to the business. Geri Cerkovnikserves as CEO of the company’s Orange County office.Under her leadership, the office received Dale Carnegie’sAward for Top Franchise Quality Training in Orange County.

Zara Cerni, Health Coach/Patient LiaisonPhysicians Center For Renewal, Newport BeachZara Cerni is currently aesthetic director and patient liaison atPhysicians Center For Renewal, which she co-founded 10years ago, with her husband, Dr. Michael Cerni. As a certifiedaesthetic consultant, it was Cerni’s vision to provide wellnessthrough nutrition and lifestyle modifications, along withcutting-edge aesthetic procedures to optimize health andappearance. Physicians Center For Renewal currently haslocations in Newport Beach and Laguna Niguel. In addition toaesthetics, Cerni holds certification from the InflammationFoundation in Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition founded by Dr.Barry Sears, author of The Zone. A significant part of Cerni’soutreach includes giving lectures with her husband, providing the latest breakthroughtrends in healthy lifestyle and fitness.

Bernadette Chala, SVP/General CounselArbonne International LLC, IrvineBernadette Chala joined the Arbonne team in 2012, firstserving as the corporate counsel and now as senior vicepresident, general counsel. Chala serves as a key businessadvisor, advocate and liaison between the business unitsand Legal Team to maximize value to the company’sownership. She successfully navigates emerging legaltrends to serve the business needs of the company toensure the highest rate of return to business stakeholders.Since her tenure, the company has nearly doubled in size,yet Chala continues to steer the entire organization throughvarious legal, regulatory and compliance challenges. Fromher start as a member of the Legal Team, to now leading three teams including Legal,Regulatory & Scientific Affairs, as well as Compliance or the Business EthicsStandards Team (B.E.S.T.), Chala serves proudly as a someone who is not afraid tobe a “working leader” and believes the best form of leadership is the one that is setby the example of one’s own actions. Arbonne International LLC creates personalskincare and wellness products.

WIB-Guide 54-74.qxp_Layout 1 4/12/18 5:16 PM Page 56