About Us

About VICA Leadership: Board and Officers Staff Annual Report Partners and Sponsors Intern at VICA Contact Us

stuart@vica.com Click here for a complete bio		Name: Stuart Waldman Title: President VICA Assignments: Oversight of all VICA operations with emphasis on advocacy and development. Education: J.D. from Loyola Law School; B.A. from Cal State, Northridge in political science; A.A. from LA Valley College in German; LAUSD schools Favorite book: Art of War by Sun Tzu Team I’d most like to play on: U.S. Soccer team Source of inspiration: My wife Most underrated value: Loyalty Secret passion (recreation): world travel Favorite vacation spot: Latin America Historical figure you’d most like to have over for dinner: Golda Meir Vision for the Valley: A Valley with great public schools, a world class public transportation system, and a thriving business community.

jessica@vica.com Click here for a complete bio		Name: Jessica Yasukochi Title: Vice President VICA Assignments: A little bit of everything, VICA finances Education: Graduate from Wilder High School in Idaho and from CSU, Northridge with a degree in Asian American studies and a minor in political science Grew up in: Wilder, Idaho and Shizuoka, Japan Favorite job: Guest Relations Lead at Magic Mountain Favorite book: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer Sources of inspiration: My parents; Children being nice to people for no reason other than being nice Most underrated value: Organization Most admired people: My parents and my husband Historical figures you’d most like to have over for dinner: President Lincoln or Jane Austen Vision for the Valley: A transportation-friendly Valley (more public transit services)

helene@vica.com		Name: Helene Chemel Title: Membership Manager VICA Assignments: All things Revenue: membership, sponsorships, advertising Education: CSUN – Marketing, Journalism Studies Grew up in: Woodland Hills and Teaneck, New Jersey Last job: Ad Director, Tribe Magazine Favorite book: Have a Little Faith Sources of inspiration: Early morning joggers and my daughter Most admired people: My parents Favorite vacation spot: New York City Secret passion: Hunting for treasures at yard sales! Historical figures you’d most like to have over for dinner: Golda Meir and Anne Frank Favorite musician: Chicago Most underrated value: Good manners!

Alex@vica.com		Name: Alex Davis Title: Legislative Affairs Manager VICA Assignments: Everything advocacy-related – analysis of legislation; position paper drafting; policy committee management; testifying at local and state governance meetings; relationship building with elected officials and their staff. Alex staffs VICA's Aviation; Education & Workforce; Energy, Environment & Utilities; Healthcare; Government Affairs; and Manufacturing & Technology committees. Education: B.A. Political Science from the University of Southern California Grew up in: Santa Clarita Favorite book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Team I’d most like to play on: Los Angeles Kings Source of inspiration: My twin brother Most underrated value: Trustworthiness Most admired people: Those who live to help others Secret passion: Classic movies Favorite vacation spot: Lake Tahoe Historical figure you’d most like to have over for dinner: Bette Davis Vision for the Valley: A well-connected Valley with robust businesses

sara@vica.com		Name: Sara Mitchell Title: Legislative Affairs Manager VICA Assignments: Everything advocacy-related – analysis of legislation; position paper drafting; policy committee management; testifying at local and state governance meetings; relationship building with elected officials and their staff. Sara staffs VICA's Education: BA in Political Science from Virginia Tech Grew up in: Vienna, VA near Washington, D.C. Favorite book: Jane Eyre Sources of inspiration: My parents and brothers Most underrated value: Proactivity Most admired people: Mia Hamm Favorite vacation spot: Emerald Isle, NC Secret passions: Sports, teaching/coaching Historical figures you’d most like to have over for dinner: James Madison, C.S. Lewis, Nellie Bly

Perry@vica.com		Name: Perry Smith Title: Communications Manager VICA Assignments: Responsible for the organization's communication activities; creating promotional and marketing material for the organization's events and partnerships; working with VICA staff and board members to ensure VICA's messaging is consistent with our goals of the organization -- enhancing the economic vitality of the greater San Fernando Valley region by advocating for a better business climate and quality of life. Education: Graduate from Crespi High School and studying print journalism at California State University, Northridge Grew up in: San Fernando Valley Favorite book: Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk Sources of inspiration: My mother and grandparents Most underrated value: Loyalty Most admired people: John Wooden Favorite vacation spot: Glasgow, Scotland Secret passion: Playing guitar Historical figures you'd most like to have over for dinner: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln