Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley Honors Women Storytellers at Second Annual Women Making A Difference Awards Ceremony

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley hosted her Second Annual Women Making A Difference Awards. In support of the National Women’s History Month theme this year, Supervisor Foley recognized the women storytellers whose significant contributions tell our stories.
 

(Caption: Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley with the nominees and awardees of her Second Annual Women Making A Difference Awards)

“Congratulations to the nominees and awardees of my Second Annual Women Making A Difference Awards! I am honored to recognize the many talented women storytellers who dedicate their lives to pursuing truth, producing art, and reflecting our community,” said Supervisor Foley. “These stories are essential to retaining the history and experiences of our residents in Orange County. I’m proud to celebrate esteemed women who care about others and understand that lifting up those in pain or struggling lifts up us all. Women empowering women builds stronger communities for everyone, and I look forward to working together to make a difference in Orange County.” 

In addition to recognizing the nominees and awardees, the awards ceremony featured performances from Jacque Tahuka-Nunez and the Women’s Fellowship from the Marshallese Ministries of Orange County.  

Supervisor Foley recognized women making a difference in the following categories: 
 

Arts: Erin Angelo of Ladera Ranch 

Erin Angelo is a professional ballroom dancer, educator and Founder/Executive Director of Rx Ballroom Dance (RXBD), a non-profit dedicated to providing free ballroom dance instruction from trained professionals for people confronting degenerative neurological conditions. 

 

Blogs: Jeanette Knutti of Irvine 

As CEO and Founder of Moxie Marketing Agency, Jeanette Knutti runs a blog full of inspiration and in support of kindness, love, and self-care.  

 

Books & Publications: Dr. Allison Deming of Laguna Beach 

Dr. Allison Deming serves as Vice President of Conservation Medicine and Science at Pacific Marine Mammal Center. She completed marine mammal research and her findings will be published this Spring. 

 

Radio: Patti Compton of Laguna Beach 

Patti Compton is the host of "Play Something Sweet" on KXFM, a music history show that celebrates music and puts songs in historical context. 

 

Stage: Jocelyn Brown of Ladera Ranch 

Jocelyn Brown’s stage credits include directing plays primarily at Chance Theater and Chapman University, facilitating new play development with many by women playwrights for on stage readings at Chance Theater's On the Radar Series (OTR), and serving as Chance Theater's Associate Artistic Director since 2011. 

 

Podcasts: Mary-Christine Sungaila of Newport Beach 

In addition to working as a full-time successful appellate lawyer, including representing the city of Costa Mesa in the litigation to protect their sober living home ordinance, Mary-Christine Sungaila is the creator and host of The Portia Project®️ podcast, which seeks to inspire the next generation of women in the legal sector. 

 

Social Media: Dr. Esther Park and Dr. Mijin Park of Laguna Hills 

Dr. Esther Park and Dr. Mijin Park serve as co-founders of Fully Health Clinic and create content promoting mental health.

 

Film: Maureen “Mo” Langley of San Clemente 

Maureen “Mo” Langley started and has successfully run the San Clemente Women’s Surf Film Festival for 5 years now. 

 

Public Information: Roxi Fyad of Costa Mesa 

Roxi Fyad serves as Public Affairs Manager for the Costa Mesa Police Department. Fyad is the department’s main point of contact for the media and oversees Crime Prevention, community programs and events, and the Volunteer Program. She is the first civilian public affairs manager in the department’s history. 

 

News - Print: Lana Johnson of Newport Beach 

Lana Johnson is the editor of Stu News Newport and Stu News Laguna. She is the main force in writing, processing and editing the many stories for both Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. 

 

News - Television: Michele Gile of Corona Del Mar  

Michele Gile of KCAL-CBS LA News has been delivering news about Orange County for over 30 years. She is trusted by her community and by the top brass at Police and Fire Departments and Hospitals throughout the county.

 

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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.

Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Law Library Board of Trustees, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, OC Public Libraries Advisory Board, Orange County Housing Finance Trust, Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Orange County Transportation Authority, and the Transportation Corridor Agency.