the Archbishop's
Awards Dinner
In their 40-plus years of marriage, Lew and Lisa Horne embody strength, resilience, and community leadership. Rooted in faith since their days at USC, they credit Lisa's parents for instilling guiding spirituality. Lisa, a Dame of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, finds purpose in supporting their four children in overcoming personal tragedies, including the loss of their son Lewis. Their dedication extends to addressing social issues, with Lew actively championing homeless initiatives and serving on various boards, including Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters. Their dynamic leadership, driven by faith and compassion, inspires positive change and reflects a commitment to improving the world.
Clare and Jim Gurbach's journey with the St. Sebastian Sports Project began with a revelation 15 years ago, realizing the stark disparities some Catholic schools in Los Angeles face. Listening to the challenges during a meeting with elementary school principals, the Gurbachs understood the profound impact they could make. Their initiative, named after the patron saint of sports, started in 2009 to provide every child, regardless of family income, the opportunity to participate in school sports. Today, the project has grown exponentially, reaching nearly 10,000 kids in the 2022-23 school year and leaving an enduring legacy of unity, hope, and community in the Catholic schools of Los Angeles.
Delia Wilson-Johnson, a beacon of compassion and change in South Los Angeles, intertwines her profound dedication to community service with her faith. A parishioner at St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church, Wilson-Johnson, a retiree, channels her expertise into numerous outreach programs of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Office of Life, Justice, and Peace. Rooted in Christian principles, her involvement in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver exemplifies her commitment to sisterhood and service. As a facilitator of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), Wilson-Johnson finds inspiration in the faith journeys of others, embodying the spirit of community and empowerment.
As the fourth-generation leader of Farmers & Merchants Bank, Daniel K. Walker personifies Christian values in community business practices. Embodying pillars of honesty, integrity, home, church, and service above self, Walker has recently assumed the role of executive chairman. His commitment extends to the broader community, which was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when F&M Bank swiftly facilitated over 350 Paycheck Protection Program loans to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, providing $50 million in vital support. Walker's deep appreciation for the Catholic faith is reflected in his partnerships, philanthropy, and commitment to ethical leadership, making him deserving of the Cardinal's Award.
David A. Fuhrman is President of The Dan Murphy Foundation. Founded in 1957 by Bernardine Murphy Donohue to carry on the philanthropic legacy of her father, Dan Murphy, the foundation is dedicated to meeting the needs of Catholic high schools serving inner city youth and supporting the faith formation and religious life of a vibrant Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
David’s business career centers around finance and investments. He was a National Partner for Willis Towers Watson from 2005 until 2016. He is currently Western Zone Leader – North America for Marsh McLennan Companies.
David holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Dartmouth College in 1984. He played football for Dartmouth and was a scholar athlete and a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. David and his wife, Maria, live in Whittier. They are active members of the Order of Malta.
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.
Joseph N. “Pep Valdes, Jr. is Executive Vice President at Parking Company of America (PCA). Prior to PCA, Pep was in the mortgage business for 30 years. PCA is a privately-held company founded in 1964 with operations in California, Kansas, Wisconsin and Georgia. PCA is one of the largest minority certified parking companies in the United States and successfully provides superior service to hotels, healthcare facilities, restaurants, airports, retail establishments, the Entertainment industry, private events, and independent property management companies. PCA manages the parking at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
Pep is dedicated to giving back to the community. He has the following non-profit organization affiliations: YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles [Board Director]; National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) [National Education Fund Board of Directors]; White Memorial Medical Center [Board Member and former Chair, Foundation Board]; PBS So Cal [Board of Trustees]; Legatus – Pasadena Chapter [Former
President and Board Member]; East Los Angeles Classic Theater [Former Board President]; Pasadena YMCA [Former Board Member].
Pep has been an active member of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) and served as a Past President of the organization.
He has been honored with the “Community Hero Award” by the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017) and was “Volunteer of the Year” in 2016 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy Day.
Pep served as Co-Chair along with Janet Feeley for the Pathway to Priesthood Campaign to build Queen of Angels Center for Priestly Formation in Torrance. He is an active member of the Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Pep and his wife, Renee Chaves Valdes, live in Pasadena. They have two adult daughters, Lauren and Reagan. They are parishioners at St. Philip the Apostle in Pasadena.
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.
Karla Ahmanson has served as President of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation for decades. She also serves as an advocate for Reserve Officers who mission of crime prevention and public safety is a major asset to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Since 1995, she has participated in Anne Banning Operation School Bell with the Assistance League of Los Angeles, having served on the board and chaired committees, she has availed the organization of her public relations and event coordination talents. Karla is a proud board member of Loyola High School Los Angeles, serving as Vice Chair of the Educational Resources Committee.
Karla is also politically active, having served as California State delegate and currently as a board member of New Majority of California.
Karla is co-founder of The Angelics Auxiliary, has been involved with the Luminaires Juniors of the Doheny Eye Institute, and has headed the Parent Association at St. James Episcopal School. She has also served on the Parent Board at Claremont McKenna College and in an advisory position for Christ the King Catholic School.
Karla is married to William H. “Bill” Ahmanson, president of The Ahmanson Foundation.
They live in Los Angeles and are active parishioners at Christ the King Parish. They have 3 adult children: son, Chris Ahmanson is a writer, and twins, Kathryn, an architectural historian, and Karalyn, who works in development.
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.
Kevin A. Shannon is Co-Head of U.S. Capital Markets for NEWMARK. He is widely considered to be one of the premier investment sales brokers in the United States. Kevin leads a team of over 33 professionals focused on arranging the disposition, financing, and joint ventures of investment properties on behalf of domestic and offshore investors throughout the Western United States. Mr. Shannon has been involved in over $86 Billion since 2010 of office, industrial, self-storage, multifamily, land and mixed-use transactions. His experience includes structuring fee simple and partial interest sales, as well as recapitalization and joint venture transactions.
Shannon joined NEWMARK after 10 years at CBRE, where he served as Vice Chairman and Managing Director for the West Coast Institutional Investment Group and lead the Western United States Office Vertical. Prior to CBRE, Kevin served as Senior Vice President with the Institutional Investment Group of Grubb & Ellis. He began his real estate career at Colliers Seeley, where he rose to managing director and started their Investment Division in 1996.
Kevin Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Finance and Development from the University of Southern California, class of 1981, and is a frequent guest lecturer at USC. He is a long-standing Board Member of the USC Lusk Center and serves as Vice Chairman of the Board for the USC Caruso Catholic Center. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Urban Land Institute’s Industrial and Office Park Development Council. He is also on the Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics Policy Board. He has long been an avid supporter and served on the board of Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters Los Angeles for over 25 years and is the Treasurer of the Missionary Sisters of the Eucharist.
In 2020, Kevin Shannon was honored with the USC Trojan Saint Award which recognizes those who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and selfless service to others, inspired by their Catholic faith and guided by a spirit of excellence. Trojan Saint recipients are generous, joy-filled souls who are an inspiration for the entire Trojan family.
Kevin and his wife, Britta, live in Palos Verdes Estates with their children: Patrick, Finley, Mackenzie and Delaney. They are active members of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in Redondo Beach.
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.
Robert “Bob” Graziano is Vice Chairman of J.P. Morgan and oversees corporate strategy and development for the Western Region of the United States.
His first job was as a certified public accountant at Ernst & Young. He worked there for 4 years until he took a leave of absence to work for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Organizing Committee in ticket operations.
Starting in 1986, Bob spent 18 years working with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was named the Dodgers’ President and Chief Operating Officer, the 11th president in franchise history, in 1998 when News Corporation bought the Dodgers from Peter O’Malley. He worked with CEO Rober A. Daly in managing the day-to-day operations of the Dodgers.
Graziano left the Dodgers organization in 2004 when the team was sold to Frank McCourt. He briefly worked with O’Malley Seidler Partners LLP before joining Northern Trust as a managing director. He worked at Northern Trust until joining J.P. Morgan Private Bank in May 2013.
Bob holds his B.S. degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Southern California, class of 1980, graduating summa cum laude and receiving the University Trustees Award.
Bob is active in the community, serving on numerous boards, including: LA84 Foundation, Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, Los Angeles Premier Water Polo Club, LA’s BEST, USC Leventhal School of Accounting, USC Sports Business Institute, USC Associates, Jackie Robinson Foundation, Jim Murray Memorial Foundation, Japan America Society of Southern California and the Dodger Foundation.
Bob’s wife, Wendy Wachtell, is president of the Joseph Drown Foundation. They have five sons: Matthew Graziano, Jameson Wachtell, Brian Graziano, Bradley Wachtell and Davis Wachtell. They are parishioners at St. Monica Parish in Santa Monica.
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.
Wendy Wachtell is Executive Chair and CEO of The Joseph Drown Foundation. She joined the foundation in 1987 as President and is responsible for the distribution of $10 million annually to non-profit organizations throughout Los Angeles County. She also serves as Co-Managing Partner of Oak Knoll Advisors.
Wendy began her career as a legislative assistant/speech writer for The Honorable Julian C. Dixon from 1983 until 1985. She then worked at the planning desk at KCBS from 1985 until 1987. She served as Director of the Emles Trust from 2020 until 2022.
Wendy holds a B.A. degree in Political Science and Art History from Wellesley College (1983) and an M.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California (1987).
Wendy has the following non-profit organization affiliations:
Board Member and Vice Chair, Harvard-Westlake School
Board Member, The Rape Foundation,
Member, Board of Councilors, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
Founding Board Member, USC Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy
Leadership Council, International Medical Corps
Advisory Board Member, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
President, Los Angeles Premier Water Polo Club
President, Friends of Princeton’s Men’s Water Polo
Los Angeles Advisory Board, Sustainable Conservation
Los Angeles Advisory Board, Common Sense Media
Los Angeles Advisory Board, CollegeSpring
ACES Capital Campaign Cabinet, The Accelerated Schools
Former Board Member and Former Board Chair, Los Angeles Urban Funders
Former Board Member and Fomer Board Chair, The John Thomas Dye School
Former Board Member, Southern California Grantmakers
Wendy’s husband is Bob Graziano. They have five sons: Matthew Graziano, Jameson Wachtell, Brian Graziano, Bradley Wachtell and Davis Wachtell. They are parishioners at St. Monica Parish in Santa Monica.
The Archbishop's Awards Dinner in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is an elegant event where the Archbishop recognizes and celebrates the noteworthy contributions of selected Catholic individuals to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
4311 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010