2025 Women of the Year Nominees
Ashley Vedder
I am a wife, mother of three, and CEO of Vedder’s Organic Ice Cream. Passionate about healthy living, I love cooking, creating nutritious recipes, juicing weekly, and exercising as often as possible.
In 2014, my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when I was eight months pregnant with our third child. With two young children at home, the diagnosis was life-changing. Determined to make a difference, I began hosting fundraisers for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, raising $500,000 in just three years.
In 2017, inspired by my husband’s nutrition-focused health plan and my own Whole30 journey, I envisioned a clean, dairy-free, gluten-free ice cream made with whole, organic ingredients and naturally derived colors. After three years of perfecting recipes, I launched Vedder’s Organic Ice Cream in 2021, starting at farmers' markets before opening a storefront. Within months, we secured partnerships with Erewhon Market, Irvine Ranch Market, and other retailers in Southern Orange County.
Today, we have partnered with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and a portion of our proceeds supports their mission annually. To date, we’ve contributed an additional $150,000. We’ve been accepted into four major retail chains, with Bristol Farms and Jensen’s Fine Foods launching our products in April 2025. We are also exploring organic manufacturing opportunities to expand into ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and pints.
Beyond business, my husband and I serve as the Southern California spokespeople for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, sharing our journey at regional conferences and offering support to those impacted by Parkinson’s. Our story and ice cream have been featured in Orange Coast Magazine, San Clemente Magazine, and the San Clemente Times. Additionally, my journey was recently included in the book IMPACT by Samantha Tradelius—a collection of stories highlighting changemakers, creators, and everyday women doing extraordinary work.
Vedder’s Organic Ice Cream is a beloved local favorite and a VIP dessert at Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Festival, where our clean, delicious treats stand out as a festival highlight. We are grateful for the support of our community and remain committed to making a difference—"Funding Parkinson's research, One scoop at a time.”
Diana Berbiglia
Diana Berbiglia is the owner of Mama B’s Cookies, a custom-designed sugar cookie business based in Huntington Beach, California. Specializing in creating beautifully themed cookies for any occasion, Diana turned her passion into a business after becoming an empty nester. Encouraged by friends who loved her cookies, she began selling to close acquaintances for holidays. As demand quickly grew beyond her immediate circle, she officially launched Mama B’s as a licensed cottage food business in September 2020.
A former elementary school teacher who cherished the opportunity to stay home and raise her two daughters, Diana has always been committed to giving back. She donates approximately 75% of her annual gross income, focusing on local women’s and children’s charities. In her first year, she supported Robyn’s Nest, later expanding her donations to include Colette’s Children’s Home, Olive Crest, and Project Self-Sufficiency. Additionally, Mama B’s maintains a small donation budget for organizations such as Covenant House, We Care, and Tee It Up for the Troops.
Diana’s dedication extends beyond baking—she sees each order as an opportunity to contribute more to the community while bringing joy to her customers. Long hours and meticulous attention to detail ensure that every cookie is crafted with care, making special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and graduations even more memorable.
Through Mama B’s Cookies, Diana has built more than a business; she has created a mission-driven enterprise that blends artistry, generosity, and heartfelt connection with her customers and community.
Diane Kutinsky
A native of Orange County, California, Diane Kutinsky has spent 25 years helping clients upgrade their homes. Specializing in design concepts, contractor coordination, and market strategy, Diane ensures her clients receive the best possible prices while preventing overspending. As an expert in both design and real estate at Seven Gables, Diane has worked with a wide range of clients, including celebrities and professionals, earning top industry awards and Five-Star reviews for her exceptional service.
Diane’s commitment to community service has been a lifelong passion, instilled by her parents. She has been actively involved in philanthropic work, including ten years volunteering for St. Joseph Hospital Orange’s pediatric cancer research fundraising galas. Diane also advocates for women overcoming domestic challenges, empowering them to achieve financial independence by helping them start businesses and offering mentorship.
A dedicated supporter of education, Diane helped found the Seacliff Elementary School Gala, which raises over $100,000 annually for the school. She has also supported local middle and high schools through fundraisers for academic and extracurricular programs. Diane’s community impact extends to youth development as a Girl Scout troop leader, where she led two troops and organized projects like assembling care packages for military personnel. Her dedication earned her the Presidential Gold Leadership and Community Service Award from both Presidents Bush and Obama.
Irma Gonzalez
Irma Gonzalez is a dedicated caregiver, retired State of California employee, and lifelong advocate for serving others. With over 32 years of experience in state service, Irma began her career in clerical work and progressively advanced to roles of greater responsibility, ultimately becoming a Parole Agent III. Her career was marked by hard work, determination, and a deep sense of service to the community.
Since retiring, Irma has turned her focus to caregiving, offering support to families and assisting them in caring for their loved ones. She has a particular passion for supporting those in need and dedicating her time to help others live fulfilling lives. Whether it’s caring for her two-year-old nephew or providing assistance to friends and family, Irma’s commitment to service continues to be her guiding principle.
In addition to caregiving, Irma uses her talents to assist others by volunteering to help friends decorate for events and engaging in community outreach. She became a Notary Public in 2020 and focused on educating the community about the importance of living trusts, helping people secure their futures and protect their families.
Irma’s early life growing up in Bakersfield, where she worked alongside her family picking watermelons, instilled in her the value of hard work and self-sufficiency. After earning her A.A. from Long Beach City College and B.A. from California State University, Dominguez Hills, she became a strong believer in the power of education and continued personal growth.
A proud mother, Irma considers her son the apple of her eye. Raised by a mother who emphasized the importance of service to others, Irma’s values continue to guide her daily. She remains passionate about helping others achieve their full potential and serving her community. Through caregiving, volunteering, and outreach, Irma has made it her life’s work to uplift those around her.
Mary Reuland: Founder, Konrad A. Reuland Memorial Foundation
For over 40 years, I have been fortunate to share my life with my supportive husband, raising three wonderful sons who are now young men. Together, we spent 22 years running three elderly care facilities, where I was deeply committed to helping families navigate the complexities of aging and healthcare. This experience shaped the values of compassion and service that have always guided our family.
In December of 2016, our lives were forever altered by the devastating loss of our oldest son, Konrad, who passed away at the age of 29 due to a brain aneurysm. This tragic event prompted a shift in our path. In honor of Konrad's memory and his deep commitment to giving back, I decided to sell our care homes and establish the Konrad A. Reuland Memorial Foundation, dedicated to supporting the causes that mattered most to him.
The mission of the Konrad A. Reuland Memorial Foundation is to raise awareness for brain aneurysm research and education, advocate for organ donation, and support underprivileged children. Through the foundation, we organize an annual charity event to raise funds for these vital causes and fund initiatives that promote education, awareness, and healing. Our focus is to provide a voice and support for those in need.
The foundation is a living tribute to Konrad's legacy—generosity, compassion, and service to others. Each project we undertake, each life we touch, reflects his spirit and is a step toward turning our family's grief into something meaningful. We are building a lasting legacy of hope, change and impact by raising awareness of brain aneurysms, supporting children in need, and advocating for organ donations.
As the foundation continues to grow, we are positively impacting lives and communities, reaching far beyond our own. My deepest hope is that through our work, we can honor Konrad's memory, raise awareness for crucial causes, and inspire others to make a difference in their communities.
Paula Kendrick: Founder, Claims Management Plus
Paula Kendrick is an accomplished and respected claims and loss control professional with over 20 years of experience in the commercial insurance industry. As the Founder of Claims Management Plus, Paula provides tailored consulting and expert witness services to mid- and large-market businesses and group captive programs. Acting as an outsourced Risk Manager for her clients, she excels in delivering both traditional and innovative risk management solutions that address complex insurance challenges. Paula's strategic approach enables businesses to mitigate risk effectively, safeguard their assets, and enhance operational resilience.
Paula has developed a broad and deep expertise in loss control and claims management throughout her career. She has been intricately involved in designing, evaluating and maintaining comprehensive loss-reduction programs that help businesses reduce exposure to financial and operational risks. Her ability to understand the nuances of each organization allows her to craft customized solutions that drive measurable results.
In addition to her technical expertise, Paula is a passionate philanthropist committed to leveraging her professional experience for the greater good. She is actively involved in the community, currently serving on four boards where she plays a vital role in inspiring others and driving initiatives in communities, fostering growth, and encouraging positive social change. Paula's dedication to giving back has enabled her to make meaningful contributions in areas that matter most to her.
Paula's academic background includes a degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic University Pomona and a graduate certificate in Executive Leadership from the prestigious USC Marshall School of Business. Her commitment to continuous learning and growth has allowed her to stay at the forefront of both her professional field and philanthropic endeavors.
In addition to her work in the insurance industry, Paula has contributed to the impactful and award-winning documentary 10 Days in Watts, which shed light on the stories and experiences of those living in one of Los Angeles' most underserved neighborhoods. Her dedication to using her platform to drive awareness and social impact speaks to her core values of empowerment and community service.
In recognition of her leadership and contributions, Paula was honored as the 2019 Ella's Foundation Honoree. Most recently, she was named Youth Champion of the Year by The Boys & Girls Club of Carson in 2024, further cementing her reputation as a leader and advocate for young people. Paula's passion for making a difference is evident in her professional and personal life, where she strives for excellence and meaningful impact.
Renie Muratore: Founder and President, Bling Bling Irene Cancer Foundation
Renie Muratore, a Huntington Beach resident since 1988, is a dedicated advocate for cancer awareness and support. In 2022, Renie’s participation in a Mastermind Retreat in Paris inspired the creation of the Bling Bling Irene Cancer Foundation. Motivated by the loss of her mother to cancer in 2008 and her own experience as a cancer survivor, Renie is driven to assist cancer warriors and provide hope and resources to individuals and families affected by the disease. She believes that it truly takes a village to make a meaningful difference.
In addition to her philanthropic work, Renie brings an entrepreneurial mindset to her career. With an extensive knowledge of real estate and finance, she partnered with her husband to achieve significant success with two mortgage companies. For over 15 years, Renie has worked as a licensed realtor in Orange County, initially with Pacific Sotheby’s International and now with Coldwell Banker Realty in Newport Beach.
Outside her professional life, Renie is an active volunteer in her community. She values the power of connection and strives to inspire others through her work, life, and faith.
Renie’s mission to support cancer warriors remains a driving force in her life, guided by her philosophy of “Helping our cancer warriors one person at a time.” With much more work to do, she continues to make a lasting impact in the cancer community.
Tiffany Sumner: Autism Advocate, Mental Health Advocate, and Empowerment Leader
Tiffany Sumner’s story is one of remarkable resilience, strength, and transformation. After experiencing the devastating loss of her former husband, she embraced the challenges of single parenting while raising two children, one of whom has autism. Throughout this journey, Tiffany successfully established herself as a businesswoman and became a beacon of inspiration in her community of Orange County.
Her personal experiences have shaped her passion for autism advocacy. As a mother navigating the complexities of raising a child with autism, Tiffany is dedicated to raising awareness, fostering understanding, and creating supportive communities for those facing similar challenges. She is deeply committed to providing education, offering resources, and sharing her story to empower others.
Tiffany’s advocacy extends beyond autism to mental health, where she has become a strong voice in promoting emotional well-being. She believes mental health awareness is crucial to breaking down stigmas and providing individuals with the tools they need to thrive.
In addition to her advocacy, Tiffany founded Haus of Media to empower female entrepreneurs. The agency provides comprehensive social media services to help women scale their businesses and elevate their online presence. Tiffany is passionate about offering personalized solutions that meet each client’s unique needs, allowing women to chase their dreams and redefine success on their terms confidently.
A woman of faith and compassion, Tiffany’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and self-empowerment. Through her work, she uplifts, inspires, and supports those striving to overcome adversity and build a better future.
