By Ruth SOWBY

On Friday, Oct. 11 Business Life Magazine introduced its Women of Achievement at Noor events in Pasadena. CV Weekly publisher and owner Robin Goldsworthy was one of 35 honorees. Each had been nominated by their peers in their respective communities throughout the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.   

Luncheon host and former Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos welcomed the audience and introduced the honorees who all wore bright yellow daisy pins as they walked into Noor’s large dining room to the applause of close to 300 guests. Ramos then introduced Greg Krikorian, president/CEO of Business Life, who described some of the history of the Women of Achievement awards.  

“Since we began the initiative to honor women from various business and civic organizations, we have featured more than 1,000 remarkable women on the cover of Business Life Magazine,” said Krikorian.

Robin Goldsworthy, publisher/owner of the Crescenta Valley Weekly, is one of those 1,000 plus Women Achievers. Goldsworthy has produced and distributed CV Weekly every Thursday since Sept. 10, 2009. The paper has been honored by many organizations over the years including being named the Small Business of the Year for the 43^rd Assembly District. 

Goldsworthy is also deeply involved in her community. Among other volunteer positions, she is currently president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce.  

“When I started the paper in 2009, I could not have believed I would be receiving this honor,” said Goldsworthy.              

Ramos then introduced four past Women Achievers selected by former honorees. First to the stage was Cynthia J. Kurtz. She was recognized as Business Life 2024 Woman of Distinction. Kurtz is the interim executive director of One Arroyo Foundation.  

“I find that work benefits your community to be addictive,” said Kurtz. “The more you do, the more you want to do.”

Following Kurtz’s remarks, Anita Quinonez Gabrielian was introduced as the Business Life 2024 Woman of Exemplary Leadership. Gabrielian is president and CEO of Gabrielian and Associates Insurance Services, Inc. Born in Nicaragua, she had a 33-year career as an AT&T executive. Gabrielian also served as a Glendale Community College trustee for 15 years, including a term as president of the GCC board of trustees. 

Next, Kathy Leftkovits, Business Life 2024 Woman of Lifetime Achievement, was welcomed to the stage. Leftkovits is a realtor for Keller Williams and past president of Soroptimist International Glendale. As a Soroptimist, Leftkovits created the Bras for a Cause fundraiser for the Soroptimist. That theme is now used at local and international Soroptimist clubs.  

A second Woman of Lifetime Achievement, Zarmine Naccashian, was also honored. Dr. Naccashian is an associate professor at Cal State Northridge and coordinator of the Diabetes Care Center at Adventist Health Glendale. She, as the other honorees, received certificates of appreciation from state leaders. Krikorian made the presentations.      

The remaining Women Achiever honorees were Angela Berberyan, Mechelle Best, Donna Choi, Patricia Duff Tucker, Melanya Garibyan, Vehanoosh Grigorian, Megan M. Harabid, Yeilen Hernandez, Cynthia Jarvis, Kim Kelly & Kris Kline, Laurie Leask, Lynn Lipinski, Catherine Marcucci, Linda Offray, Lee Miller Parks, Arleen Penaflor, Pamela Pollock, Laura Reyes-Everett, Thelma Reyna, Patricia Rivera, Lynette Romero, Mandip Samra, Martine Singer, Frances Teves, Irma Villegas and Suzanne Weerts.