By Cheechee Lin
“Our heroes (and sheroes) are among us tonight,” beamed Ramsey Jay Jr., Riordan Fellow (’02) and 2015 recipient of the Riordan Program’s Excellence in Civil Engagement and Leadership Award. "Heroes are the ones who embody being bold and are able to achieve something excellent despite the obstacles. They pioneer ground that has yet to be pioneered, and they exemplify characteristics we are proud of.”
The annual Riordan Gala, themed “Heroes Among Us,” celebrated the program’s 29th anniversary of empowering disadvantaged youth to realize their full potential in both education and business. At the Montage Beverly Hills, a dinner reception brought together the Riordan family that has transformed the lives of many. The Riordan Programs develops tomorrow’s leaders through mentorship, education workshops, and community service.
“The Riordan Program is an amazing legacy. It is a privilege to be here tonight, as celebrating Riordan is synonymous to celebrating the best of Anderson,” Dean Judy Olian said. "The educational divide is apparent in our country. Of those in the top tier income bracket, 75 percent graduate (from college). Of the bottom tier? Only 8 percent. Our education system is income driven— and it’s hard to dream about something that you’re not familiar with. That is why I am so proud of the Riordan programs.”
Angelica S. Gutierrez, (Riordan Fellow ’06, Ph.D. ’12) was recognized with the 2016 Excellence in Civil Engagement Award. Gutierrez is a widely-celebrated researcher in diversity management with a long list of accolades. She has been honored as the a Huffington Post Innovator to watch in 2016 and a 2015 Top 40 Professor Under 40 in the World by Poets and Quants. Gutierrez gives back to the community as a mentor in the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the TELACU Education Fund and the Riordan Scholars Program.
Upon taking the stage, Gutierrez expressed her gratitude for her single mother and Anderson Professor Emeritus William Ouchi for inspiring her. Gutierrez credits her pursuits in academia to Ouchi, who along with Mayor Richard Riordan founded The Riordan Programs. “Professor Ouchi has always had celebrity status to me. My top three inspirational people would be Ouchi, Oprah and the Dalai Lama. Oprah and the Dalai Lama are sometimes tied— but Ouchi has always been at the very top!” The day that Gutierrez met Professor Ouchi in person was the day she decided she wanted to be a research professor— a position where she could mentor, educate, motivate, and prepare the next generation of business leaders.
Henry Brandon (’89) was honored with the 2016 Community Champion Award. As Director of Deal Structure and Risk of Nile Capital Group, Brandon has inspired many through his work on various boards related to education and health. He quoted Martin Luther King, saying “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” Brandon describes his mentorship role in the Riordan program as energizing, exclaiming “I’m so excited the night before session because I know I’m going to change lives. The work you can do to change someone else’s life for the better— I get so much out of this.”
Selena Cuffe (Riordan Scholar ’93) was honored as the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award recipient. As a graduate from Stanford University and MBA with honors from Harvard University, Cuffe has been very successful in her endeavors. She co-founded Heritage Link Brands, a brand management company transforming the world’s view of Africa and diaspora through the medium of pioneering brands.
Danielle Hoston Wrighster (Riordan MBA Fellow ’97) was the last recipient of the night, honored as the 2016 Legacy Award Honoree. Wrighster has overcome many obstacles but managed to smile through it all, resilient and the embodiment of a true SHEroe. “You are here, because you want to do something greater. You are also here because the Riordan Program has seen something greater in you— and even if you can’t see it at the time, the legacy has begun.”
As the evening came to a close, Ramsey Jay Jr. celebrated the heroes and sheroes in the room with a quote from the late UCLA tennis great Arthur Ashe (BA ’66). “True heroism is not the urge to surpass others at all costs but the urge to serve others no matter the cost.”
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