Born in East Germany the end of World War II, Ilona Martin’s mother saved her life by smuggling her on the Berlin Freedom Train. Coming to America as a teenager, she attended USD School of Law and, having learned to sew in the orphanages, she opened a small shop in Carmel that led to a career in manufacturing for Lands End and others to a 300-employee factory in Costa Mesa. Volunteering came naturally after Hoag Hospital saved her life from ovarian cancer. She co-chaired the Hoag Summer Fest, served as 552 Club president and raised major funds for Hoag Promise Campaign, receiving the prestigious Vin Jorgensen Award for her efforts. Ilona continues to serve and fundraise for Hoag and made a charitable bequest to nursing scholarships. Other nonprofits she supports include Laguna Playhouse (emeritus board member) and Laguna College of Art and Design, where she took her first art class in 1984 and is a board member and past gala co-chair. Starting as an impressionist artist in Carmel, Ilona has an Art & Treasures studio in Newport Beach.
“To me living is giving back, the joy of working as a team. These friendships over the last 20 years are gifts to me tenfold.” – Ilona Martin