Upcoming Leadership Pasadena Fundraiser Spotlights Local Leaders

As Leadership Pasadena gears up for its first public fundraiser in more than 10 years—a unique tablescape design competition to be held at the Hotel Constance Pasadena later this month—the organization is not alone in its endeavor. Participating as both tablescape design competitors and event sponsors, a talented and accomplished roster of local businesses, organizations, and individuals is coming together to support the important work of Leadership Pasadena.

“We have over a dozen of our community’s top designers, event planners, and creative business leaders competing for the best tablescape design,” said Leadership Pasadena Executive Director Cindy Bengtson. “We decided to anchor the competition with the theme, ‘Setting the Table: The Art of Conversation’ because of the critical need today for open and respectful dialog,” she continued. “We’re excited to see how our designers bring that to life with their tablescapes.”

“Leadership Pasadena is very proud of the designers participating in our tablescape competition,” said Board Chair Joshua Driskell, noting the charitable and community endeavors of Kirsten Acevedo and Mikala Rahn. “Not only are they talented artists but they are respected, admired leaders in their professions.” Acevedo, who founded and owns borderLESS Design, contributes a percentage of the proceeds from her interior design business to help care for victims and survivors of human trafficking, while Rahn, PhD and founder of Learning Works Charter School, strives to provide positive alternatives to destructive behavior for the region’s most at-risk teens through her artWORKS program.

Event co-chair Lynne Graves also acknowledged the immeasurable support of the event sponsors. “Attracting such accomplished designers and producing an event of this caliber would not be possible without the very generous support of local businesses and organizations,” adding that event sponsors such as Liz Rusnak Arizmendi of the Rusnak Auto Group, Eszylfie Taylor of Taylor Insurance and Financial Services, and Ricky Biel of Haydel Biel & Associates are well known for their charitable endeavors.

Setting the Table: The Art of Conversation takes place on the evening of Saturday, July 21 at the historic Hotel Constance Pasadena. For event tickets and more information, including a complete list of designers and sponsors please visit bit.ly/settingthetable2018