2026 Inspirational Woman of the Year Nominees
Cindy DeMint
Cindy DeMint is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and passionate advocate whose life’s mission has been shaped by love, resilience, and unwavering determination. A lifelong community leader through Girl Scouts, PTA, her church, and the City of Yorba Linda—where she was honored as Citizen of the Year—Cindy has always believed in serving others with heart and purpose.
Her journey took a profound turn when three of her sons were diagnosed with Ataxia, a rare and debilitating neurological disease. Encouraged by her daughter, Cindy joined an Ataxia support group and soon stepped into leadership, becoming the devoted leader of the Orange County Ataxia Support Group for the past 15 years. She later served eight years on the board of the National Ataxia Foundation, expanding her reach and deepening her commitment to advocacy, education, and hope.
Driven by a mother’s love and a vision for healing, Cindy has dedicated more than two decades to raising awareness and funding critical research. She founded her family charity, Brothers on a Quest, and has hosted 13 annual Walk n’ Roll events, helping raise more than $1 million to support research for Ataxia led by Dr. Brent Fogel at UCLA and to advance the mission of the National Ataxia Foundation.
Cindy’s advocacy has extended to national and state platforms, including her work with United Against Ataxia Hill Day and her leadership in securing a California State Resolution proclaiming September 25 as International and National Ataxia Awareness Day. Her story has also been featured in the documentary We Are Strong, sharing her family’s journey and inspiring others facing similar challenges.
A Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the National Ataxia Foundation and the recipient of numerous recognitions from civic, state, and congressional leaders, Cindy remains focused on what matters most—bringing hope, advancing research, and helping others feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Her work continues today with the same message she lives by: together, we can create awareness, inspire action, and move closer to a cure.
Jaime Dost
Jaime Dost is a purpose-driven leader, mentor, and advocate who believes that true growth—both personal and communal—begins with resilience, intention, and service. Her journey is shaped by perseverance, gratitude, and a deep commitment to helping others expand their sense of possibility, purpose, and impact.
After losing her parents at the age of four, Jaime was raised in an unstable environment marked by addiction and poverty. Through the support of caring mentors and community systems beyond her home, she experienced firsthand the transformative power of encouragement and belief. Those early experiences became the foundation of her leadership philosophy: no one succeeds alone, and access to support can change the trajectory of a life.
Professionally, Jaime has built a dynamic career rooted in excellence and people-centered leadership. Beginning in luxury hospitality and event management, she developed a passion for creating meaningful experiences and delivering world-class service. Her career evolved into leadership roles within technology and global organizations, where she has built high-performing teams, led strategic initiatives, and partnered with executives to strengthen systems and elevate impact.
Across every chapter of her career, Jaime leads with empathy, curiosity, and integrity—focusing not only on outcomes, but on the growth and well-being of the people behind them. She is passionate about creating environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to rise beyond their circumstances.
Through Finding Something More, Jaime is honored to both support and be supported by women leaders seeking deeper purpose and meaningful ways to give back. As a mentor, she listens with intention, meets people where they are, and helps translate lived experience into confidence and actionable growth.
Grounded, adventurous, and deeply grateful, Jaime chooses peace, seeks optimism, and strives to achieve extraordinary outcomes—while helping others do the same.
Suzanne Iacono
Suzanne Iacono is a visionary entrepreneur, community builder, and respected leader whose influence extends throughout Southern California. As the founder and owner of HB Corner Market, Suzanne has transformed a neighborhood market into a beloved gathering place where connection, collaboration, and community thrive.
More than a retail destination, HB Corner Market has become a welcoming hub where locals and visitors gather for coffee, conversation, and meaningful connection. Suzanne has intentionally created a space that celebrates small businesses, supports local makers, and fosters authentic relationships—proving that entrepreneurship, when led with heart, can strengthen an entire community.
Her commitment to collaboration and civic engagement has earned her recognition as Women in Business – Best of Huntington Beach 2025 by the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and acknowledgment among Trailblazing Women & Minority Leaders for her impact in entrepreneurship and community leadership. Yet her influence reaches well beyond city lines. Suzanne is deeply connected across Orange County and Los Angeles through partnerships, regional initiatives, and shared community impact.
Suzanne’s impact also extends into philanthropy. She has used her platform to lead charitable initiatives that unite artists, local businesses, and community members in support of meaningful causes—including fundraising efforts for rare disease research and regional relief initiatives. Her ability to mobilize collaboration across industries reflects her belief that entrepreneurship can be a force for collective good—bringing people together, elevating shared purpose, and strengthening communities across Southern California.
Known for her authenticity, generosity, and vibrant spirit, Suzanne leads with both vision and humility. She continues to create spaces where people feel welcomed, valued, and inspired—embodying the kind of leadership that builds not just businesses, but belonging.
Lisa Jimenez, M.Ed.
Lisa Jimenez is a transformational leader, global speaker, bestselling author, and business strategist who has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and executives reach 10X their income and impact. Known for her bold teaching style and spiritual depth, Lisa equips leaders to create rapid, quantum-level shifts that expand their influence, elevate their relationships, and multiply their contribution.
She is the author of six bestselling books on mindset and leadership, with her seventh book, Supernatural Wealth, debuting in July 2026. As co-founder of H.O.P.E. Publishing House, which she leads alongside her daughter, Auriana Jimenez, Lisa helps first-time and aspiring authors write, publish, and position their books to make meaningful impact in the world.
Lisa is also the visionary behind Girls’ Night Out! Faith. Fun. And Freedom., uplifting gatherings throughout Orange County designed to connect and empower women in authentic community. Through her invitation-only Mastermind Retreats—hosted in cities from Sydney to Stockholm and Paris to Prague—leaders from around the globe experience her signature Quantum Shift Formula™ to create breakthrough results in business and life.
Deeply committed to service, Lisa serves on the board of the BBI Cancer Foundation and the Balboa Island Parade and Home Show, supporting causes and community initiatives close to her heart.
When she is not speaking or mentoring leaders, Lisa enjoys playing the ukulele, singing, and traveling with her husband, Jeff, and their eight adult children.
Gila Kurtz
Gila Kurtz is a visionary entrepreneur, international best-selling author, and transformational leader who has built businesses, movements, and missions rooted in purpose. As Co-Founder of Dog is Good, an award-winning global lifestyle brand for dog lovers, Gila helped grow the company from a start-up concept into a multi-million-dollar enterprise with worldwide retail presence, thriving pop-up shops, and strategic licensing partnerships.
Her influence in the pet industry has earned her recognition as one of the Top 25 Women of Influence and Woman of the Year by the Women in the Pet Industry Network, along with features in Success Magazine, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the Grow Wire Show.
Today, Gila channels her entrepreneurial expertise into equipping CEOs and leaders with the vision, mindset, and strategy to become leaders truly worth following. As Founder and Executive Director of The BOLO Project, she leverages the powerful dog-human bond to help teens build confidence, resilience, empathy, leadership skills, financial literacy, and a sense of purpose through service.
Whether mentoring entrepreneurs, coaching executives, or inspiring the next generation, Gila brings a powerful dog-centric approach to transformation — empowering people to “fetch anything they want in business and in life.”
Jennifer McCasland Robles
Jennifer McCasland Robles is the Founder of DisruptiX Talent Solutions and a trusted talent advisor with more than 25 years of experience serving Southern California’s accounting and finance community. A Southern California native and former CPA (inactive), Jennifer has built her career helping organizations navigate change by connecting them with highly skilled accounting and finance leaders during critical moments of growth, transition, and transformation.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has specialized in placing interim executives, subject-matter experts, and project consultants who deliver immediate value in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, system implementations, restructuring, and scaling finance functions. Known for her deep market insight and relational approach, she advises both clients and consultants with transparency, clarity, and strategic foresight—ensuring every engagement is aligned and positioned for long-term success.
Jennifer founded DisruptiX Talent Solutions to challenge traditional recruiting models and create a firm grounded in openness, accountability, and meaningful human connection. By combining modern systems with straightforward communication, she has built a reputation for delivering top-tier talent while fostering trust and confidence on both sides of the hiring equation.
Above all, Jennifer leads with authenticity. A proud wife and mother of two, she can often be found cheering on her son in the surf lineup or her daughter on the volleyball court. She enjoys time outdoors, especially on the golf course, and is rarely without her beloved dog, Bonzai, by her side. Friends and colleagues describe her as genuinely social and refreshingly transparent—bringing the same “what you see is what you get” integrity to her life as she does to her leadership.
Rachel Svoboda
Rachel Svoboda is a visionary marketing strategist and serial entrepreneur known for building brands that scale with purpose and integrity. As Founder and CEO of Sunday Brunch Agency, a female-owned, fully remote marketing firm she launched in 2016, Rachel has grown the company into a trusted strategic partner for more than 500 independently owned brands, businesses, and organizations across Orange County, the United States, and internationally.
Under her leadership, Sunday Brunch Agency delivers integrated marketing rooted in strategy, creativity, and measurable results—empowering founders and organizations to expand their reach and impact with clarity and confidence.
Beyond her flagship agency, Rachel has founded and co-founded multiple ventures spanning investment, consumer products, political marketing, spirits, and education. She is also a co-founder of Apex Financial Partners, supporting early-stage and emerging businesses with a focus on sustainable growth and long-term success.
A committed mentor, philanthropist, and best-selling author, Rachel is deeply passionate about ethical leadership, economic empowerment, and creating businesses that leave a meaningful legacy. As a single mother of two, she leads with resilience, strength, and a belief that success and purpose can coexist beautifully.
Monica L. Viramontes
Ms. Monica L. Viramontes is an award-winning art coach, certified interior designer, and visionary community leader dedicated to creating inclusive, person-centered experiences that honor human dignity and growth. As Founder and CEO of Evolving By Design, a personal development art studio, Monica serves extraordinary individuals across cognitive, physical, and emotional diversities through holistic creative practices rooted in universal design and social-emotional learning.
With more than a decade of leadership spanning design, entrepreneurship, disability advocacy, and workforce development, Monica bridges creativity and compassion to build environments—both physical and personal—that empower individuals to thrive. Her work has included collaboration with national organizations to develop culturally competent, accessible employment training programs that open doors to meaningful opportunity.
Monica has served in executive and advisory roles with the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Dr. Yasmin Davidds Multicultural Women’s Executive Leadership Program at USC. A nationally recognized speaker, Latina of Influence Award recipient, published author, and advocate for neurodiverse communities, she leads with purpose, empathy, and transformational vision.
Through art, design, and education, Monica continues to champion equity and inclusion—creating spaces where every individual is seen, valued, and empowered to evolve by design.
