Born and raised in Taiwan, Anne Shih immigrated to the U.S. with her husband in 1979. She joined the Bowers Museum’s Board of Governors in 1996 and has been instrumental in its success. She is by far the museum’s #1 fundraiser and through her efforts, the Bowers has organized and traveled eight major Chinese exhibitions to the U.S., including the legendary Terra Cotta Warriors from Xian. She initiated a one-year Junior Ambassador program at Bowers for high school students to learn public speaking, touring techniques and details of the exhibitions, with the students volunteering as docents at the Shanghai Museum [...]

Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund (WPF) members work to empower women and children to realize their full potential, to break the cycle of poverty and create generational change. Since its founding in 2002, WPF members have collectively raised more than $35 million from member contributions, events like its renowned Women’s Philanthropic Fund Breakfast and activities that in turn invest in local programs and services. The 100+ members allocate a portion of their annual contributions of $10,000 or more to support programs that focus on self-sufficiency for women and children and lead community efforts around advocacy, collaboration and education [...]

The Illumination Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing targeted, interdisciplinary services to the most vulnerable homeless population in the county. Since the beginning, it has been the organization’s mission to break or prevent the cycle of homelessness. The organization focuses on innovative, integrated care by collaborating with public and private partners to provide cost-effective housing solutions, workforce training, child development programs, medical care and mental health services for the homeless. Founded in 2007 by CEO and President Paul Leon, a registered nurse of 16 years, along with CFO and COO Paul Cho, a licensed chiropractor and former investment [...]

After working at a large law firm for several years, Laurie Rowen and Erin Giglia co-founded Montage Legal Group in 2009. Montage is a network of freelance attorneys with impressive credentials from top law schools and training in prestigious firms, who work remotely for law firms seeking hourly legal assistance. Montage focuses on helping its freelance lawyers find work-life balance and is also dedicated to supporting the community through philanthropic efforts. Laurie is the Chair of the Advisory Board of WHW, and founded WHW’s annual law firm clothing drive, Suits for a Cause, which is going on its eighth year. Erin serves on [...]

Antis Roofing symbolizes itself as a shepherd in the community, purposed by keeping families safe and dry. The company philosophy is “the more we give, the more we grow.” Antis feels privileged to have donated every roof for every Habitat for Humanity built in Orange County since 2009 and actively supports more than 35 non-profits with sponsorships, unrestricted gifts and in-kind donations, including Alzheimer’s Orange County, Ronald McDonald House, American Family Housing, and more. The company engages its employees and customers as volunteers for its programs. In the past year, some of the contributions include: Donated 8 new roofs, 693 [...]

Capital Group, home of American Funds, is proud of its environment where great ideas are allowed to flourish and associates are bound by a common purpose and a shared set of values. Through Capital Cares, the company invests in its associates’ highest convictions with regard to philanthropy and community outreach. Through the Irvine office, Capital Group associates are directly involved with more than 45 nonprofits serving the Orange County Community. These nonprofits are diverse in nature, ranging from well-known arts and culture organizations to small grassroots nonprofits serving vulnerable communities. The associates in Orange County trigger more than $1 million annually in [...]

Grace Cross, a 12-year-old with cerebral palsy, works hard to not let her disability define her. She was born 26 weeks premature with a 10% chance of survival and little hope of walking or talking. She learned about thinking of others needs through her church’s children’s activities, and when she joined Girl Scouts in kindergarten and became part of the Girl Scout cookie program, she encouraged her customers to donate boxes of cookies. That first year she sold 759 boxes, 50 of which were Cookie Shares, which she donated to the Long Beach Rescue Mission, where her father and brother [...]

As lifelong supporters of the arts, Suzanne and James Mellor retained dual residencies in Washington, D.C. and Laguna Beach before settling permanently in Laguna in 1996 following James’ retirement as Chair and CEO of General Dynamics Corporation. Their commitment to the arts continued through Laguna Playhouse–James, former board president, and Suzanne, a landscape artist lending her talents to painting sets and as a Playhouse Women founding member. To inspire younger audiences, they established the Mellor Playhouse Tribute Fund. James has served on the board of UCI, while Suzanne served on UCI School of Art’s Advisory Council and was an Orange [...]