FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2026
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
OC Supervisor Katrina Foley Announces Honorees for Fifth Annual Women Making a Difference Awards
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley awarded 25 outstanding awardees and recognized a record number of nominees at her “Fifth Annual Women Making a Difference Awards” at Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine.
“In honor of this year’s Women’s History Month theme, ‘Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,’ my office recognized more than 140 women leaders and community advocates prioritizing sustainability in Orange County’s Fabulous Fifth District,” said Vice Chair Foley. “Across our community, women educators, scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, engineers, and advocates continue breaking barriers and leading on environmental stewardship, clean energy, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and public policy. I look forward to celebrating their achievements this Women’s History Month.”
With final awardees
With awardees and nominees [Photos attributed to Bob Ortiz Photography]
Congratulations to the 2026 Women Making a Difference Awards Honorees:
1-3. Toxic-Free OC: Carolyn McCuan, Melissa Christian, and Tracy Blum of Aliso Viejo
As founders of Toxic-Free OC, Tracy, Melissa, and Carolyn work to raise awareness, protect public health, and support individuals suffering from the harmful effects of toxic herbicides and pesticides sprayed in their neighborhoods, an issue Supervisor Foley’s office worked on significantly in the past few weeks. Carolyn, Melissa, and Tracy’s professional expertise and personal courage drive their mission to protect community health, especially in our parks, while also holding local leaders accountable.
4. Kasey Knoell of Costa Mesa
A chemical and environmental engineer, Kasey Knoell holds national recognition as a climate-change expert with more than 14 years of experience helping governments and organizations measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She leads as Senior Director of GHG Programs at California Bioenergy, growing her team from four people to more than twenty while directing projects that capture methane from dairy farms and convert it into renewable natural gas.
5. Linda Kraemer of Costa Mesa
Linda Kraemer, a longtime Orange County community leader, dedicates decades to advancing sustainability, renewable energy, and civic engagement. Through her work with Citizens Climate Lobby and the Climate Reality Project Orange County chapter, she inspires thousands of residents to act on climate and community issues. Linda also volunteers extensively, organizing sustainability events, educating K-12 students, mentoring college students, and launching local initiatives like the Green Business Program in Costa Mesa.
7. Bernice Villanueva-Grzecka of Dana Point
Bernice Villanueva-Grzecka serves as a Natural Resources Protection Officer for the City of Dana Point, dedicating nearly 15 years to safeguarding the coastline and fragile ecosystems. Bernice protects endangered species like the Pacific pocket mouse and monarch butterflies through restoration and enhancement of our natural environment and also leads community education programs such as the Whale Walk & Talk through the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center.
8. Donna Kalez of Dana Point
Donna Kalez leads Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, expanding the company her father founded into a powerful platform for ocean education, youth engagement, and marine conservation. Through long-standing partnerships with universities and researchers, she has created hands-on opportunities for students while supporting long-term studies on human impacts on marine mammals.
9. Annette Walker of Irvine
Annette M. Walker, President of City of Hope Orange County (not pictured), led one of the most significant health care transformations in the region. Under her leadership, City of Hope opened Orange County’s only cancer specialty hospital in 2025 on its Irvine campus – a LEED certified building – bringing world-class cancer treatment and research directly to local residents. Her work has driven the development of a comprehensive cancer care network and helped advance a $1.5 billion investment that strengthens both community health and regional collaboration.
Lisa O’Neill, Director of External Communication at City of Hope, accepted this award on Annette’s behalf as she attended a separate City of Hope event.
10. Makana Nova of Irvine
In response to growing challenges from coastal erosion and sea-level rise, OC Parks hired Makana Nova as its first Coastal Resource Manager to lead the County’s Coastal Resiliency Program. Makana impressively advanced collaborative planning efforts for green, gray, and hybrid sand-retention strategies that strengthen coastal resilience across Orange County. Makana also serves as the first Executive Officer of the South County Beaches Coalition, created by District 5 in 2025.
11. Dr. Ravita Reddy of Irvine
Dr. Ravita Reddy, Chair of EVGateway, brings a rare combination of medical expertise and technology leadership to the clean energy transition. Drawing on her background as a physician, she approaches electric vehicle infrastructure as essential public health infrastructure that reduces air pollution and improves community wellness. Under Dr. Reddy’s leadership, EVGateway has expanded charging networks, strengthened partnerships with utilities and municipalities, and supported California’s clean transportation and climate goals.
12. Senait Forthal of Irvine
Senait Forthal, Executive Director of OC Goes Solar, leads with a people-centered approach that advances equitable clean energy. Senait brings personal insight into access, resilience, and opportunity, building trust with residents, policymakers, and partners across sectors. Under her leadership, more than 800 Irvine homeowners gained solar energy, creating lasting community impact while prioritizing consumer protection and long-term benefits.
13. Nicole Stanfield of Ladera Ranch
Nicole Stanfield, Director of Communications and Customer Engagement at Santa Margarita Water District, leads with a strong commitment to trust, accountability, and transparency while helping keep the community informed about critical issues including water quality, reliability, and responsible water stewardship.
14. Sarah Limones of Laguna Beach
Sarah Limones, Emergency Manager for the City of Laguna Beach, develops and maintains Laguna Beach's Emergency Operations Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan, conducts community preparedness training for residents and civic organizations, chairs the City's emergency preparedness advisory body, and actively pursues grant funding to sustain and expand the City's preparedness infrastructure.
15. Chrislynn VanSkiver of Laguna Hills
Chrislynn VanSkiver of Laguna Hills, Chief Operating Officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, spent nearly a decade leading operations that deliver critically needed food across Orange County, advancing a stronger and more sustainable support system for families facing food insecurity. Chrislynn drives critical sustainability initiatives, including a zero-waste program that earned Second Harvest the first TRUE certification for a food bank.
16. Melissa Waters of Laguna Niguel
Melissa Waters devoted her life to environmental advocacy, focusing on climate action, sustainability, and community engagement across Orange County. As co-leader of the Laguna chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, Melissa has lobbied federal, state and local officials, contributed to the county’s first Climate Action Plan, and organized public education on local sustainability infrastructure.
17 & 18. B.L.E.S.S.I.N OC: Cathleen Pryor and Theresa Ford of Laguna Niguel
Cathleen Pryor (President) and Theresa Ford (CFO) of B.L.E.S.S.I.N OC worked closely with Supervisor Foley's office this in 2025 to halt the placement of a BESS Facility in a high-fire risk community near Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano. B.L.E.S.S.I.N OC brings residents together to ensure our communities remain resilient in the face of drought and fire risks, while also advocating for policies that prevent toxic fumes and environmental contamination from harming residents of South Orange County.
19. Janet Fordunski of Laguna Woods
Janet Fordunski, owner of Strong Garden, designs gardens using California native plants that thrive in the local climate while reducing water use. Her work promotes biodiversity, provides habitat for local wildlife, and models sustainable landscaping practices. By combining beauty with ecological stewardship, Janet helps homeowners and communities adopt environmentally responsible gardening.
20. Sarah Harris of Laguna Woods 
Sarah Harris supports environmental sustainability through Laguna Beach’s goat-herding brush control program, using a natural, chemical-free method to reduce wildfire risk and protect coastal ecosystems. Sarah represents a “Jill of All Trades,” bringing a wealth of diverse experience, from registered nursing and clinical research to international flight service, into her public safety and community-focused career for the Anaheim Police Department.
21. Liz McKinley of Newport Beach
Liz McKinley owns and operates Pinnacle Petroleum, one of the state’s first suppliers of renewable diesel, a cleaner-burning, waste-based fuel that significantly reduces emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. By promoting renewable and biodiesel solutions in a traditionally fossil-fuel industry, Liz drives large-scale adoption of sustainable energy.
22. Laura Coley-Eisenberg of Rancho Mission Viejo
Laura Coley-Eisenberg dedicated more than 18 years as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Compliance & Open Space Management for Rancho Mission Viejo, playing a key role in securing approval for the Habitat Conservation Plan and establishing the Rancho Mission Viejo Nature Reserve, which protects more than 20,000 acres of open space and countless plant and animal species.
23. Dr. Suzie Whitelaw of San Clemente
Dr. Suzie Whitelaw, former Professor of Oceanography at El Camino College, brings 35 years of expertise in marine sediment dynamics, environmental geology, and hydrogeology to her role as Co-Founder and Chair of Save Our Beaches OC. Dr. Whitlaw advocates for science-based sand restoration and coastline preservation, working with the South Orange County Beach Coalition, OC Transportation Authority, and the Coastal Commission to protect and enhance San Clemente’s shoreline.
24. Taylor Clarke of San Clemente
Taylor Clarke leads purpose-driven innovation at Amborella Organics, building a nationally distributed brand that integrates environmental responsibility into every facet of its operations. Taylor pioneered seed-bearing lollipops with native, pollinator-friendly seeds, maintains organic and non-GMO ingredient standards, advances recyclable packaging, and ensures ethical labor practices across the supply chain.
25. Ellen Sue Olivares-Schneider of San Juan Capistrano
Ellen Sue Olivares-Schneider, a Tribal Elder and master basket weaver, dedicated more than two decades to preserving and sharing Indigenous basketry traditions throughout Orange County and San Juan Capistrano. She teaches workshops at local libraries, Mission San Juan Capistrano, the Ecology Center, and other community venues, introducing youth and families to the history, artistry, and spiritual significance of ancestral weaving.
Full List of 2026 Nominees:
Aliso Viejo
- Janice Frechette-Artinger
- Joy Torres
Costa Mesa
- Belinda De La Libertad
- Chantelle Heroux
- Debora Wondercheck
- Jordan Needham
- Kasey Knoell
- Laura Marcum
- Linda Kraemer
- Lori Whalen
- Reina Cuthill
- Thea Merritt
- Yemi Adeyanju
Coto de Caza
- Debby Thrailkill
Dana Point
- Amber Boone
- Amber Gregg
- Bernice Villanueva-Grzecka
- Donna Kalez
- Lisa Dunn
- Nikki Clinton
- Sayeh Beheshti
- Vickie McMurchie
Irvine
- Angela Betts
- Annette Walker
- Autumn Strier
- Beatrice De Salles
- Ellen Ahn
- Ellen Pais
- Jennifer Anaya
- Jennifer Szurmant
- Jocelyn Rubio-Melendrez
- Jodi Quas
- Julie Moore
- Kimberly Cobb
- Lisa Alvarez
- Lynette Fujitani
- Makana Nova
- Maricela Rios-Faust
- Michele Miller
- Partou Nikpour
- Dr. Ravita Reddy
- Senait Forthal
- Shoura Khatibloo
- Tahera Christy
Ladera Ranch
- Nicole Stanfield
Laguna Beach
- Hallie Jones
- Kylie Schuyler
- Melanie Lewis
- Nadejda Hickam
- Nishtha Mohendra
- Sarah Limones
- Whitney Aronoff
Laguna Hills
- Carri Geiger
- Chrislynn VanSkiver
- Christy Ward
- Michele Whiteaker
- Michelle Maddleford
Laguna Niguel
- Agnes Swanson
- Ann Cameron
- Carolyn Long
- Diane Wacker
- Kayden Tokarski
- Keelin Conant
- Melissa Waters
- Shani Moslehi
- Theresa Ford
Laguna Woods
- Antonela Opris
- Janet Fordunski
- Kathryn Freshly
- Sarah Harris
Newport Beach
- Astha Ghai
- Gian Shakti
- Jennifer Keil
- Judy Richonne
- Kristin Thompson
- Liz McKinley
- Lynda Perring
- Rev. Canon Cindy Voorhees
- Tracey Espero
- Zara Rezai
Rancho Mission Viejo
- Ava Robertson
- Brooke Medina
- Eileen Padberg
- Laura Coley-Eisenberg
San Clemente
- Adina Verdult
- Debbie Hansen-Bosse
- Jennifer Sanghera
- Megan Noyes
- Melissa Hendricks
- Niki Beach
- Dr. Susie Lantz
- Suzie Whitelaw
- Taylor Clarke
San Juan Capistrano
- Ellen Sue Olivares-Schneider
- Maritza Rebollar
- Sofia Lanning
- Susan Parmelee
- Women Staff of The Ecology Center
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Vice Chair 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.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
