Women of Inspiration & Accomplishment 2023

Dr. Lauren Lek

There is no greater illustration of a woman of inspiration than a woman who inspires the next generation of women leaders. Here in San Diego, the woman who embodies that is Dr. Lauren Lek, who is the leader at the helm of Academy of Our Lady of Peace (“OLP Academy”), the oldest high school and only remaining all women’s institution in San Diego. Her focus is on providing a transformative and accessible education for young women. The mission of the OLP Academy is to “empower young women in an innovative learning environment, fostering community and forming leaders dedicated to loving the dear neighbor without distinction.” As the premier college preparatory high school, OLP Academy gives its students the confidence and skills to take on anything they can dream of. Dr. Lek is an accomplished educational administrator. She completed her doctoral degree from Pepperdine University in Educational Technology Leadership.  When the pandemic hit, the Academy was the first high school to open and maintain COVID standards that consistently exceeded requirements and during the pandemic, Dr. Lek personally delivered groceries and sustenance to both employees and students alike. Under her guidance, the Academy has increased access to STEM courses which now including Engineering Design, Biotechnology,  Architecture, Entrepreneurship, and AP Computer Science. This year, OLP Academy will celebrate its ninth annual Women’s Symposium.

Danielle C. Humphries

Danielle Humphries is a partner at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP and is chair of the firm’s San Diego Trusts NS Estates Practice Group. She has earned a stellar reputation as a trusted legal adviser with experience, insight and sophistication. She serves aa general counsel for families, managing a multitude of legal issues, including trusts and estate-related concerns, wealth preservation and protection, philanthropic giving and tax planning. She has extensive experience representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in complex trust and estate administration and litigation.  She represents her fiduciary clients, both individuals as well as corporate, in matters including risk mitigation and duties and responsibilities in the administration of trusts and estates. She is an extraordinary role model and advocate for gender parity within the legal industry. Humphries is a steering committee member of the firm’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and is looked to as a mentor by women lawyers. She is a member of the Gift Planning Advisory Council of Scripps Health Foundation and is actively involved with Promises2Kids. She has won a San Diego Super Lawyers’ Rising Star designation and has been named a Best Lawyer in America for litigation-trusts and estates.  Humphries is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law.

Leah Rosenthal

Since joining the La Jolla Music Society 15 years ago, Leah Rosenthal has developed the artistic offerings of the company and guided its vision and mission with a strong hand. The company has more than doubled its concerts and events, to more than 70 a year, in addition to a month-long annual summer chamber music festival. Under her leadership new series developed include ConRad Kids series, ProtoStar  Innovative Series and Speaker Series. She also guided the artistic programming of La Jolla Music Society during a major period of transition into its new state-of-the-art Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. Critics, audiences and performers alike rave at the artistic quality and entertainment value of the concerts and events she programs at The Conrad, including Yo-Yo Ma, Midori, Lang Lang and jazz artists like Wynton Marsalis and the Monterey Jazz Festival.  Rosenthal is an alumnus of Boston University and Columbia College in Chicago. 

Lisa Paul-Hill

Lisa Paul-Hill is president and CEO of Wheelhouse Credit Union. During her tenure she has directed the credit union to many incredible milestones including 62 percent growth in assets, loan growth at an astonishing 85 percent and 64 percent in membership growth, which grants more San Diegans access to some of San Diego’s best banking products. Wheelhouse celebrated a record-breaking $12 million month in Solar & Energy Efficient financing in November 2022. Financing Solar & Energy Efficient projects help remove barriers to clean renewable energy for single-family homeowners and aligns with the City of San Diego’s binding commitment to switch to 100 percent renewable clean energy. She is currently vice chair of the Make-A-Wish San Diego Board of Directors and leads the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge, a single day, 28 mile-long endurance hike along the Pacific Crest Trail serving as a fund raiser that both physically and emotionally challenges participants. Wheelhouse also supports I Love A Clean San Diego, San Diego Zoo Global Alliance, Rady’s Children’s Hospital and the Water Conservative Garden. Paul-Hill has received the Make-A-Wish San Diego Power of One Award.  She is a graduate of the University of San Diego.

Teresa Campbell 

Teresa Campbell is chief executive officer of San Diego County Credit Union (“SDCCU”).  She is a dedicated, influential and innovative leader.  SDCCU’s impressive blend of products and services are leading the way for overall credit union success.  In her more than 11 years as CEO. Campbell has more than doubled the credit union’s membership from 204,000 in August 2010 to over 455,000 and, as a result, SDCCU’s assets have grown from $5 billion to $11.5 billion today.  SDCCU’s net worth remains outstanding at 14 percent which is double the seven percent minimum capital level for “well capitalized credit unions” established by the National Credit Union Administration. Campbell oversees SDCCU’s guiding principle of, “people come first and profits second” and remains at the forefront of the company’s philosophy. SDCCU’s extraordinary involvement in the San Diego community is a direct reflection of Campbell’s dedication to making a difference. The credit union supports many nonprofit organizations, is a proud supporter of education, and is focused on making a difference in local schools.  She is a graduate of the University of Maryland with an MBA from the Johns Hopkins University.

Debra Rosen

Debra Rosen is president and CEO of the North San Diego Business Chamber. She has been credited with the turnaround of the chamber through the development and implementation of strategic revenue strategies, restoring program profitability, and winning market share in competitive regions. She has been the chamber’s president for 14 years. She managed the chamber out of massive debt and it is now recognized as one of the few 5-Star US Chamber accredited organizations in California and the only US Chamber accredited organization in San Diego. Her management team paid off enormous debt that had carried liens against the chamber, increased member retention to a consistent 87 percent and member engagement to 93 percent annually.  She started San Diego Women’s Week which has grown to be a major event in San Diego. She is a graduate of San Diego State University.

Jennifer Nelson

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program

Sandra Gramley, AIA, NCARB

Platt/Whitelaw Architects

Monique Lashbrook

Snell & Wilmer

Steffi Gaacon Hafen

Snell & Wilmer

Tammy Wahl

DenimisTheNewBlack.com

Sammey Jo Smith

CommScope, Inc.

Lisa Easterly

Cyber Center of Excellence

Alethea Arguilez

First 5 San Diego