VICA Weekly
Valley Industry & Commerce Association

March 17, 2023

In This Issue
  • VICA Hosts Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast
  • VICA Supports AB 1217 - Business Pandemic Relief
  • Submit Your Nominations for VICA's Hall of Fame
  • VICA University: Labor Law Updates - LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER

Quick Jump - Register to Attend!

"I would say 1992 was the year of the woman in the senate, 2018 was the year of the woman in the house, and 2022 was the year of the woman in local politics. "

Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto

At VICA's 2023 Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast

VICA Hosts Annual Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast

Keynote Speakers Kaiser Permanente President of Health Plan & Hospitals’ Southern California and Hawaii Markets Julie Miller-Phipps (left) and President of Angel City Football Club Julie Uhrman (right)

On Wednesday, business leaders, elected officials, and local students gathered for VICA's 4th Annual Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast.


Cynthia McClain Hill, President of the Board of Water & Power Commissioners for LADWP, delivered the welcoming remarks before introducing our first Keynote Speaker, President of Kaiser Permanente Health Plan & Hospitals’ Southern California and Hawaii Markets Julie Miller-Phipps.


After the keynote address, attendees heard from local business leaders and entrepreneurs during our first panel, "Big Wins, Big Mistakes & Things I Wish I Knew Along the Way." The panel, moderated by VICA Past Chair Lisa Gritzner (LG Strategies), comprised of Laureen Driscoll (Providence South Division), Martha Santana-Chin (Health Net), Doris Savron (University of Phoenix), Lydia Shayne (DeLuscious Cookies & Milk), and Christina Vega (Casa Vega). The panelists answered questions about their careers, their biggest wins, their biggest mistakes, and gave some inspiring advice to our attendees.

Big Wins, Big Mistakes & Things I Wish I Knew Along the Way Panel (from left to right): Lisa Gritzner (LG Strategies), Christina Vega (Casa Vega), Lydia Shayne (DeLuscious Cookes & Milk), Martha Santana-Chin (Health Net), Laureen Driscoll (Providence South Division), and Doris Savron (University of Phoenix)

The event then transitioned to our second panel, "Women Who Won!" which was moderated by Liliana Castaneda (Wells Fargo) and was comprised of Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles Community College District Trustee Sara Hernandez, Pasadena Unified School District Board Member Patrice Marshall McKenzie, and Santa Monica City Councilwoman Caroline Torosis. The panelists discussed the importance of representation in politics, barriers women disproportionately face in campaigns and elected positions, and the difficulties of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Women Who Won! Panel (from left to right): Moderator Liliana Castaneda (Wells Fargo), LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles Community College District Trustee Sara Hernandez, Santa Monica City Councilwoman Caroline Torosis, and Pasadena Unified School District Board Member Patrice Marshall McKenzie

The breakfast ended with our second Keynote Address from Julie Uhrman, President of Angel City Football Club, and closing remarks from Wendy Greuel with

CSUN Nazarian College of Business & Economics.


Thank you to our Partner, CSUN Nazarian College of Business & Economics, and to our Presenting Sponsors Los Angeles Department of Water & Power and University of Phoenix.

VICA Supports AB 1217 - Business Pandemic Relief

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VICA supports Assembly Bill 1217 (Gabriel), which would support California restaurants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising costs associated with inflation by extending outdoor dining regulatory flexibility.


The COVID-19 pandemic devastated small businesses in California, and for restaurants that managed to survive the pandemic, rising inflation remains a devastating hurdle. On average, about 95% of a given restaurant’s sales go to food, labor, and operating costs; all of which are increasing each month.


To make matters worse, local governments are seeking to roll back outdoor dining regulatory flexibility that began during the pandemic, and are now requiring restaurants to apply for expensive new permits for existing patios. Many restaurants who are barely scraping by will not end up surviving.


AB 1217 will extend the provisions of AB 61, authored by Assemblymember Gabriel in 2021, and preserve current regulatory flexibility related to outdoor, patio, and Al Fresco dining to help restaurants continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation spikes that affect business traffic.


This bill would preempt local ordinances and help local restaurants avoid confusing and costly red tape to keep outdoor dining operations open, helping pave the way for strong restaurant recovery in California.

VICA Business Hall of Fame: Call for Nominations

VICA is looking for businesses to honor!


Each year, VICA celebrates member businesses that have made a profound and impactful presence in the Valley and celebrate their successes. The Hall of Fame was created in 2008 to recognize significant contributions to the Valley community.


Inductees include individuals, businesses and other community organizations responsible for the continued success, economic vitality and culture of the San Fernando Valley.


To nominate your business for the VICA Hall of Fame or secure a sponsorship package, please contact Jessica Yasukochi by clicking here or call 818-817-0545.

VICA University Workshop: New California Employment Laws - LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER

VICA invites you to join us for an informative 90-minute program that will cover new employment laws for 2023 on Thursday, March 23 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. with Sue Bendavid from Lewitt Hackman.


Sue Bendavid represents employers in employment-related litigation, counseling and transactions - representing them in all matters from employee claims prevention and management training to individual and class action lawsuits. As a California employment attorney who advocates employer preparation and litigation prevention, Bendavid also provides in-house training on topics such as sexual harassment, discrimination, hiring and firing practices, proper disciplinary methods, leave of absence management, and other employee-related topics.


If you are interested in attending our VICA University program, please click on the button below to register. You may not be the person who needs to attend this for your company - who takes care of your HR needs - SEND THEM!

Register Here!

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members!

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Platinum Member:


Renewing Members:

Events

VICA Congressional Luncheon

April 13 | 11:30 AM

Sheraton Universal Hotel


Our Congressional Luncheon is a unique and fun opportunity to directly engage with elected officials from Washington, D.C. who represent the San Fernando Valley in a "Fireside Chat" type format.


Our Confirmed Congressmembers are:

  • Brad Sherman
  • Katie Porter
  • Mike Garcia


VICA thanks our presenting sponsors Amazon, BYD, and Comcast NBCUniversal

If you are interested in attending and still need to register, email Cathy at cathy@vica.com or click the button below.

Register Here

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Yoko at yoko@vica.com. For more information on sponsorships, click the button below.

Sponsorships
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VICA After Dark: Supervisor Lindsey Horvath

May 3 | 5:30 PM

Burbank Airport Marriott


Supervisor Lindsey Horvath was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the fall of 2022 and assumed office on December 5, 2022. Sher previously served as a City Councilmember and the longest consecutively serving Mayor for the City of West Hollywood. Horvath’s career has been defined by tackling the hardest problems, building diverse coalitions, and delivering results for her community.  


VICA thanks our host and Presenting Sponsor Burbank Airport Marriott and presenting sponsor EKA.

Register Here

San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame

June 8 | 5:30 PM

The Garland


Join VICA members, business leaders and officeholders as we honor members of our community during a garden reception, program, dinner and dessert.

If you are interested in attending and still need to register, email Cathy at cathy@vica.com or click the button below.

Register Here

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Yoko at yoko@vica.com. For more information on sponsorships, click the button below.

Sponsorships

The Week Ahead

VICA University: New Employment Laws for California Employers

Thursday, March 23

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

At the VICA Office

RSVP

Save the Date 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Wednesday, April 5

Noon - 1:30

Sponsored by Ajimori Sauce Company

RSVP

Aviation Committee

Tuesday, April 18

Noon - 1:30

Hosted by Aerolease-Aeroplex Group

RSVP

Land Use Committee

Tuesday, April 11

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP




Government Affairs Committee

Wednesday, April 19

Noon - 2:00

At the VICA Office

RSVP

View Calendar

VICA In the News

Oscars Form Drip Control Team to Handle Leaks and Rain Puddles on Roof as Rain Falls in Hollywood

ABC7 | March 10


Eric Garcetti Confirmed as US Ambassador to India After Delay-Riddled 20 Months

The Sun | March 15


Eric Garcetti Confirmed as US Ambassador to India After Delay-Riddled 20 Months

Daily Breeze | March 15


Eric Garcetti Confirmed as US Ambassador to India After Delay-Riddled 20 Months

Daily Bulletin | March 15


Governor Newsom's Unique Statewide Tour

Spectrum 1 News Inside the Issues: The Podcast | March 16


Commercial Filming’s Decline Is Taking a Toll on LA Homeowners, Too

The Wrap | March 16

Hot News

Former Mayor Eric Garcetti Confirmed

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Eric Garcetti, the former mayor of Los Angeles, to be the U.S. Ambassador to India, ending a two-year saga that left a top diplomatic post vacant amid allegations that he mishandled workplace misconduct and sexual harassment. Garcetti was confirmed by a vote of 52 to 42, with a few Democratic senators who had expressed deep reservations voting “no” but several more Republicans voting in favor of moving forward, effectively saving Garcetti’s bid from collapse.


Uber & Lyft Score a Court Victory

Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc. and other gig economy companies scored a victory after a California appeals court upheld the current law classifying gig workers as independent contractors instead of employees. The decision on Monday struck down a lower-court ruling that found Proposition 22, the state measure that lets companies treat workers as independent contractors, violated California’s constitution.


MWD Rescinds Emergency Mandate

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will no longer mandate emergency restrictions on water use for nearly 7 million people after winter storms helped alleviate shortage conditions that severely limited the availability of state water supplies, the Board of Directors decided Tuesday (March 14).

Katy Yaroslavsky Metro Appointment

Mayor Karen Bass has announced the appointment of Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky to the Metro Board of Directors. Yaroslavsky represents parts of the Westside, including Westwood and Palms. The appointment comes at a time when the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is facing serious safety concerns and a decline in ridership. A recent report by the LA Times highlights the urgent issue of drug overdoses on the transit network and rising crime. Rail ridership is still well below pre-pandemic levels.


LAUSD Workers Union Set to Strike

 A union representing school workers in Los Angeles plans to strike for three days next week with support from the district’s teachers union, it said, setting up what could be a shutdown of the nation’s second-largest school system. Cafeteria staff, bus drivers, custodians, teachers’ assistants and other members of SEIU Local 99 – Education Workers United – voted to approve a strike next Tuesday through Thursday after nearly a year of negotiating with the Los Angeles Unified School District, it said.


2023 Oscar Winners

The winners of the 2023 Academy Awards have been given their Oscars and “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is the big winner for the night, racking up 7 awards at the Dolby Theatre ceremony in Hollywood. View the full list of winners here.

Member Messages

Member Messages

Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!

VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week. For more information or to schedule your member message, contact yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.

ABOUT VICA
Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the
San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,
Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
Read more about VICA at vica.com
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