For Immediate Release
Contact: Heather Masterton
Chief Strategic Engagement Officer
YWCA Glendale and Pasadena
P 585.687.8319 | heathermasterton@ywcagp.org
YWCA Glendale and Pasadena Appoints New Board Members
Glendale, CA, June 15, 2021 — YWCA Glendale and Pasadena welcomes Manuel Magpapian, Marie Y. Lemelle, Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony, and Wesley Walton to the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2021.
“In a year forever marked by a global pandemic, a shadow pandemic of violence against women, and a racial reckoning, it is with deep gratitude that we say goodbye to our outgoing board members and welcome on four new and remarkable members to our board,” says CEO, Tara Peterson. “As we continue to expand our programs to respond to the needs of our community and deepen our presence and work in the region, we are thrilled to bring on members with professional backgrounds and experience that will guide us in achieving even greater impact. We are honored that our new directors have chosen to dedicate their time, talent, and financial support to YWCA Glendale and Pasadena.”
Manuel Magpapian is an attorney who has been living in Glendale for the last 10 years. Manuel graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and graduated from Western State College of Law in 2016. Manuel is a board member for various non-profit organizations such as the Armenian National Committee of America-Professionals Network, the Glendale Parks and Open Space Foundation, and the Southern California Armenian Democrats.
Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA is a global entrepreneur and visionary. She is the CEO and founder of Platinum Star Public Relations, Inc. Marie is listed in the first and second editions of the Who’s Who in Black Los Angeles, a portfolio showcasing influential African American leadership. Marie served as the second and last African American Commissioner for the City of Glendale’s Commission on the Status of Women and was recently honored by the YWCA with the 2021 Heart and Excellence Trailblazer Award.
Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony is the Vice-President of Global Creative and Advanced Development for Disney Live Entertainment. Before coming to Disney, Shelby contributed to the development of more than 30 American plays and musicals working with artists such as Pulitzer Prize winners, Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Nilo Cruz, Tony-nominated, Robert O’Hara, and most notably, George C. Wolfe on the award-winning Bring In ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk! Shelby sits on the Coalition for an Anti-Racist Glendale and played a lead role in championing Disney Imagineers participation in YWCA’s 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge.
Wesley Walton has been the CEO for the Glendale Area Schools Credit Union since 2017. He has worked in the credit union industry for over twenty years and enjoys running a not-for-profit financial institution focused on serving its members. He believes in financial literacy and frequently speaks with students about education and improving their financial lives. Wesley comes to YWCA as a member of the Persimmon Donor Circle.
These new members will serve alongside other YWCA Glendale and Pasadena board members, which include:
FY 21/22 Officers:
- Jessica First, Board President (CEO & Chief Strategist – Kilter)
- Jill Welton, VP of Internal Affairs/Board Treasurer (CEO, Dignity Health – Glendale Memorial Hospital)
- Alexa Rousso, VP of External Affairs, (Chief Mission Integration Officer, Upholder Consulting)
- Shushan Barsegyan, Co-VP of Governance (Founder and Partner, Full Circle Business Law)
- T.C. Kim, Co-VP of Governance (President, Korean American Foundation of Glendale)
- Valerie Merritt, Board Secretary (Retired Lawyer)
Members:
- Anita Chan, Vice President, Relationship Manager, City National Bank
- Mane Khachatryan, Attorney At Law, Law Offices of Donald Schweitzer
- Ayana Rose, Director of Community Based Programs, Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services
- Taline Saad, Executive Vice President, Opulent Construction
- Rosie Ter-Matevosyan, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
- Richard Bennett, Retired CEO and Owner – FCI Systems Corporation
The YWCA Glendale and Pasadena Board of Directors provides the personal leadership, enthusiasm, and the support necessary to build and sustain an effective service organization geared to eliminating racism and empowering women
Founded in 1926, YWCA Glendale and Pasadena is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Its purpose is to ensure the health, safety, and economic empowerment of women, children, and families and to strengthen communities to prevent and break the cycle of domestic violence. To learn more, visit www.ywcagp.org