By Ruth SOWBY

Castaway Burbank restaurant was the sparkling setting for Business Life Magazine’s unveiling of its 29 women achievers. Pre-luncheon activities included the arrival of the “achievers” for photo ops and selfies and plenty of congratulations by friends and relations.   

Among the first to arrive were Ashley Erikson, community advocate and multimedia storyteller; Yoko J. Igawa, director Foothill Transit – Government Relations; Kate Movius, Autism Interaction Solutions founder; and Heather Provost, Colony Theatre producing artistic director, screenwriter and filmmaker. The ladies were immediately surrounded by community paparazzi taking a slew of photos.  

Just before the luncheon, selfies were snapped in front of several Business Life posters by women achiever alums and current achievers. At lunch, a line formed to enter Castaway Burbank’s ballroom, each achiever wearing identifying daisy pins that were prominently displayed. Each achiever was introduced with a flourish to the audience. 

  Honored as a woman of distinction was Emily Gabel-Luddy. Lena Louise Kennedy was recognized as a woman of lifetime achievement and named a woman of exemplary leadership was Elizabeth Zoryan.

The 2025 women achievers were Sue Baldaseroni, Dr. Erika D. Beck, Kimberley Clark, Marisa Creter, Joan De Souza, Rosie Diremsizian, Ashley Erikson, Merri Jill Finstrom, Zhanna Fish, Joann Forté, Yoko Igawa, Jane Karageorge, Gayaneh Kostikyan, Sharon Kwan, Micheline McFarland, Kate Movius, Asmik Organesyan, Ana M. Perez, Joanne Pingry, Heather Provost, Aida Rasper, Tina Shabanian, Louise Skosey, Houri Tokatlian, Dr. Sharon Townsend, and Alisa Wood.

Greg S. Krikorian is president/CEO of Business Life Magazine. Having taken over the magazine’s leadership from his late father John Krikorian, Greg said, “My late father and I have saluted over 1,000 diverse women in leadership … They are amazing and inspirational.”