The Calabasas Chamber of Commerce will present their Bill Van Gieson “Spirit of Calabasas” Award to Kathleen Sterling at their gala installation January 28.
The award is given annually to reflect the pioneering spirit, initiative and outstanding contributions to the community in memory of Van Gieson, who is remembered for his leadership in developing Chamber activities.
Sterling has been involved with the Calabasas Chamber since 1985. She is the publisher of the Las Virgenes and Calabasas Enterprise weekly newspaper, as well as the Valley Vantage, Warner Center News, Encino Enterprise and North Valley News. She has been an active community member in Calabasas, not only as publisher, but as a member of Calabasas Rotary, board member at Louisville High School, and a strong supporter of the City of Calabasas, the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and the retail and business community.
Sterling has always been dedicated to community service. A former Ticktocker for National Charity League, she grew up in Woodland Hills attending Louisville High School. She was then Panhellenic President at USC and served on the University’s Curriculum Committee. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude and received USC’s Order of the Laurel Award, the university’s highest award for women. Sterling received her MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management in 1983, after starting her first newspaper in 1982.
“Kathleen Sterling is Calabasas. She has spent almost 40 years informing all of us about matters that are important to you and to the greater community,” said Mike McNutt, chair of the board. “There is no one who embodies the spirit of Calabasas more than Kathleen, her work, dedication, time, enthusiasm, creativity, and passion. The entire Chamber community is honored to have you as our friend and neighbor and is thankful for you being you and all your work helping make this community a destination. A committee was created to offer names of individuals that are worthy to receive this award. Kathleen was chosen unanimously as all present understand and value her impeccable qualities as a person and a professional for all the contributions made to Calabasas.”
Past recipients of the award include Fred Gaines, Steve Brevidoro, Jeff Rubin, Brenda Johnson, Carol Washburn and the late Rodger Sterling.
At the installation the Chamber will also present their Milestone Award to Mercedes Benz of Calabasas, who have been Chamber members for 40 years. The annual Chairman’s Award will also be given by Chamber Board President Michael McNutt.
McNutt told Valley News Group, “This is a beginning of a new year, and we are going to be acting as a new chamber, as a liaison between our local business community and the city. We are also a centerpiece for the community to look to for events, fun and professional expertise from our members. We are using the new year to kick off a new chamber board and new direction.”
New board members will be installed at the gala. They are Chairman of the Board – Mike McNutt, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District; Immediate Past Chairman – Mark Levinson, Law Offices of Mark L. Levinson; First Vice Chairman – Dr. Iris Stone, Hear Clear Hearing Aids, Inc.; Business Development Chairman – Raychel Harrison, Salon Nuuvo; Director – Mary Atherton, Wella Company; Director – Michael Bloom, The Agency; Director – Jake Demirchyan, Caruso / The Commons at Calabasas; Director – Bonnie Mulholland, Equity Union Real Estate; Director – Mike Pashai, All View Realty; Director – Maria Primushko, MVP Law Group A PC; Director – Rachel Tabak, Keller Williams Calabasas; Director – Lois Julien, City of Calabasas, Savvy Seniors; Director – Lisa Clayden, Calabasas Chamber of Commerce
The event at the Calabasas Country Club will feature dinner, the awards program, entertainment from Frank Sinatra impersonator “Chairman of the Board” and a casino night.Tickets are available at $125, which includes dinner and a $100 casino chip. Purchase at calabasaschamber.com.
