More than 175 community leaders gathered at The Modern on Nov. 7 to celebrate the presentation of the annual Nell and John Wooden Ethics in Leadership Award.

Hosted by the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at Cal State Long Beach, the evening was filled with gratitude and appreciation for the 2024 award recipient, Erin Garrity Rank, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. The $10,000 award is given annually to a person or organization whose contribution to a community — local, national or global — is built on ethical behavior and visionary leadership. It is designed to promote ethics in leadership and to honor the Woodens, whose lives epitomized the Ukleja Center’s mission, vision and values.

Under Rank’s more than 20 years of leadership at Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit has partnered with thousands of volunteers to help build new affordable homes in and around Long Beach. Rank has built homes all over the world with Habitat and recently celebrated her personal 1,000th home completed in the Los Angeles area. One of the highlights of her Habitat calling was having the opportunity to work on a build with former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter. Like coach Wooden, Rank embodies the Ukleja Center’s core values of integrity, servant leadership and empowerment.

The evening’s festivities began with a reception overlooking Long Beach Airport’s private jet runway, with guests mingling while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres. Many corporate sponsors hosted a student or CSULB faculty member with their other guests, which made for especially lively table conversations.

The dinner program began the warm welcome from the center’s director, Janey Roeder, and CSULB Provost Karyn Scissum Gunn. They shared the center’s vision of having an ethics module in every CSULB course through its Ethics Across the Curriculum program. By awarding $3,000 stipends to faculty who integrate ethics modules into their classes, the vision is on its way to becoming a reality.

Board chair Mark Guillen greeted attendees and encouraged them to join him in embracing the center’s mission of equipping people with the transformational power of ethical leadership. Libby Gustin shared a faculty member’s perspective on teaching ethics and the difference it is making in her students’ lives. Mauli Gandhi, a program graduate, shared the impact of the center’s Student Leadership Institute and how it helped shape her core values and build a strong foundation for ethical decision-making.

Gunn championed the center’s vision while introducing Rank, whose talk focused on the joy of giving hope through servant leadership. Major table sponsors received copies of Wooden’s book, “Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization.”

The inspirational evening culminated with Rank receiving the Nell and John Wooden Ethics in Leadership Award in a presentation by Mark Guillen and Greg Wooden, Nell and John’s grandson. Greg Wooden remarked that Rank’s commitment to her faith, family and community reminded him of his grandparents, who were all about being of service to others. The evening concluded with Roeder thanking everyone for their support of the event, which raised more than $65,000 for the Ethics Across the Curriculum at CSULB.

Seen at the Scene: Celeste Ahl, Michele Bivens, Diana Craighead, Laura Doud, Rose Gonzalez, CJ Harmatz, John and Kathleen Lacey, Bonnie Lowenthal, praCh Ly, Bruce Mac Rae, Wally Rank, Darick Simpson, Michael Solt, Seiji Steimetz, Mark Suazo, Sharon Weissman, Mick and Louise Ukleja, Greg Wooden, Janey Roeder, Karyn Scissum Gunn, Mark Guillen, Erin Garrity Rank and Dana Buchanan.

SoroptimistS

Never was there a more attractive centurion than the 100-year-old Soroptimist Organization.

On Oct. 26, the Long Beach Soroptimists celebrated their birthday of a century. More than 100 guests attended the notable occasion at Rancho Los Alamitos.

Sue De Ruyter presented the honorees who were recognized as having made an impact in the community, as well as the impressive deeds that Soroptimists of Long Beach have accomplished over the last 100 years.

The who were honored included Lynnette Bello, Charlotte Berry, Reba Birmingham, Loran Brault, Blanche Brewster Cannady, Tiffany Brown, Carolyn Caldwell, Daphne Ching Jackson, Alta Cooke, caryn desai, Jean Egan, Dr. Alice Ellsworth, Tara Farajian, Cynthia Galles, Nanay Hegelheimer, Joy Janes, Sharilyn Kelly, Frances King, Marie LaFortune, Margaret Leake, Audrey Stephanie Loftin, Bonnie Lowenthal, Jana Martin, Lorie Merrill, Dr. Elisa Nicholas, Zoe Nicholson, Suzanne Nosworthy, former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill, Cheryl Sears, Renee Simon, Sarah Soriano, Mary Soth, Lola Stanley, Dr. Geraldine Stramski, Robin Thorne, Doris Topsy- Elvord, Dr. Katherine White, Frances Williams and Cindy Young.

Co-President Julia McConaghy introduced Long Beach Meals on Wheels Executive Director Bill Cruikshank, who presented a 100th anniversary plaque and noted how the Soroptimist International of Long Beach chapter started the Meals on Wheels of Long Beach, which is not federally funded like most Meals on Wheels programs.

Long Beach Councilmember Megan Kerr, presented co-President Julia McConaghy with a plaque honoring SILB for the 100th years of work for the community of Long Beach.

An inspirational message by co-President Margo Wheeler was followed by a champagne toast presented by 52-year SILB member Nancy Hegelheimer.

Guests enjoyed a champagne brunch catered by Teak Catering. While guests ate and visited, they were treated to a video showcasing the last 100 years of work and fun of Soroptimist International of Long Beach. Soroptimist International of Long Beach was one of the first clubs worldwide. A highlight included building and donating “Soroptimist House” to serve as a meeting space for students at CSULB. The club provides guidance and assistance to women via career reentry, scholarships for college, trade school and children.

McConaghy thanked the Port of Long Beach for their grant.

Seen at the Scene: Bill Cruikshank, Councilmember Megan Kerr, Daphne Ching Jackson, Jana Martin, Lorie Merrill, Dr. Elisa Nicholas, Suzanne Nosworthy, Beverly O’Neill, Lynnette Bello, Rebecca Birmingham, Lorain Brault, Tiffany Brown, Carolyn Caldwell, caryn desai, Tara Farajian, Joy Janes, Shailyn Kelly, Audrey Stephanie Loftin, Zoe Nicholson, Sara Soriano, Robin Thorne, Cindy Young. Camino Real Region of Soroptimist International of the Americas were represented by Cynthia Jarvis, Janice Kurihara, Elizabeth Baez, May Poulos and Amber Stewart.

News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net or by fax to 562-594-9468. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution JPEG photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.