lisa and lew horne

Tom Blumenthal, President and CEO of GEARYS Beverly Hills, shares a journey of faith and philanthropy. A convert to Catholicism 15 years ago, he steers GEARYS, the iconic family business, and serves on numerous boards, including his role as past chair of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. Tom is humble and proud to serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Mount St. Mary’s University, along with other non-profits. His profound faith transformation aligns with his commitment to supporting various communities throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Throughout more than 40 years of a faith-filled marriage, Lew and Lisa Horne have built a foundation of strength and perseverance. As well-respected community leaders, they lend their voices, experience, and time to help create meaningful solutions for a variety of social issues.

Lisa reflects on how her involvement as a dame of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta — Western Association prompted a further awakening. While pregnant with her son, Lewis, she participated in one of the organization’s annual trips to Lourdes. During that trip, she entered the sacred bath and felt the blessings.  

“When he passed away, that brought me a huge comfort, knowing he had that experience,” Lisa says of Lewis, who died at the age of 15 in 2003, during his freshman year at Loyola High School in Los Angeles.  

Their daughter Christina was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just after graduating from USC. “Taking her to Lourdes as well was an important part of the healing process in losing my son, and I wanted to give her that faith moment,” says Lisa.

The Hornes have funded research for MS and are proud to share that Christina and her husband, Dane, recently celebrated the birth of a son.

Lew has put his faith into action by expanding on his role as president for Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group’s advisory services business to work tirelessly as co-chair of the Central City Association Homelessness Initiative. His involvement is also borne out of a family connection: He lost his brother to life on the streets in a homeless encampment.

Lew is the board vice chair for Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters, a member of the Caruso Catholic Center Advisory Board, and a board member and past chair at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. He is also connected to Didi Hirsh Mental Health Services and works for the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.  

In May 2023, Lew was honored at the Champions for Youth Gala by Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters, an honor that resonates strongly with him: He began sponsoring a little brother named Eddie 13 years ago.  

Fr. Jim Bevacqua, pastor at St. Bede, connected with the Hornes nearly 20 years ago and celebrates a home mass every year in honor of their son. “What inspires me is their own sharing of their faith experiences,” Fr. Bevacqua says. “I may be part of the clergy, but I need inspiration from others like everyone else. They have always made me want to be a better person.”