Cultures United

A Conversation Series

The last few years have magnified the challenges and divisions facing our community. But Orange County is stronger when we’re united—united in our diversity and in our passion to improve lives for everyone who lives here.

Cultures United is a virtual conversation series that encourages dialogue, collaboration, philanthropy, and unity. Informed and motivated by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement, each discussion aims to highlight and celebrate our differences, share our strengths, and unite to do more for our community.

Women Entrepreneurs | Empowering Change
Exploring Challenges And Victories For Female Business Owners

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Watch our Cultures United conversation exploring challenges and victories for female business owners. Our panel of diverse women entrepreneurs shared powerful personal stories and professional insights about building successful businesses.

Featured Speakers

Erica Fernandez

Erica Fernandez
MODERATOR
Senior Vice President, Region Manager
California Bank and Trust

Khryzza Kelley - Photo

Khryzza Kelley
Co-Founder
CoWorq

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Teresa Razo
CEO / Owner / Speaker / Author
Villa Roma & Cambalache Restaurants

If you have any questions, please email CulturesUnited@UnitedWayOC.org

Check Out Past Conversations
December 17, 2024

Navigating the Holidays for Our Senior Population
Bringing Connection During This Season

Watch our Cultures United conversation discussing the challenges seniors face during the holidays, including isolation and loneliness. Hear from expert panelists on how we can support older adults and strengthen our community during the holidays as well as year-round.

Help spread the word about this impactful series by sharing the event recording with your networks!

See All Cultures United Conversations

Thank You to Our Sponsor

  • Discover similarities within our community
  • Find pride in the different cultures that make up Orange County
  • Learn about the challenges facing our most vulnerable communities
  • Be inspired to take action

Cultures United Chairs

Ben Alvarado

Ben Alvarado

Executive Vice President and Director of Core Banking, California Bank & Trust
Past Board Member, Orange County United Way

See Ben's Bio
Martha Daniel

Martha Daniel

CEO and President, Information Management Resources, Inc.,
Past Board Member, Orange County United Way

See Martha's Bio
Tam Nguyen

Tam Nguyen

President, Advance Beauty College
Past Board Member, Orange County United Way

See Tam's Bio
Sue Parks

Susan B. Parks

President and CEO, Orange County United Way

See Susan's Bio

Contact

If you have any questions, please email CulturesUnited@UnitedWayOC.org.

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Ben Alvarado's Bio

Ben Alvarado

Ben Alvarado is currently an Executive Vice President and the Director of Core Banking at California Bank & Trust, where he oversees small business banking and the branch banking network across California.

Alvarado is a member of the Executive Management Committee at California Bank & Trust, an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University where he received his MBA, a Board Member for the Orange County United Way and the non-profit Bundles of Books. Ben also serves as a mentor for the Student Center for Professional Development at California State University Long Beach.

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Ben Alvarado's Bio

Ben Alvarado

Ben Alvarado is currently an Executive Vice President and the Director of Core Banking at California Bank & Trust, where he oversees small business banking and the branch banking network across California.

Alvarado is a member of the Executive Management Committee at California Bank & Trust, an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University where he received his MBA, a past Board Member for Orange County United Way and the non-profit Bundles of Books. Ben also serves as a mentor for the Student Center for Professional Development at California State University Long Beach.

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Martha Daniel's Bio

Martha Daniel

Martha Daniel is the President and CEO of IMRI, which she founded in 1992. Under her leadership, IMRI has grown significantly to deliver more than $285+ million in cybersecurity, information technology, and engineering across 19 states and internationally.

A published author and frequent speaker, Daniel co-authored On the Other Side of Midnight 2000: An Executive Guide to the Year 2000 Problem and Million Dollar Conversations. She is also an ordained Minister at Christ Our Redeemer African Methodist Episcopal Church, Irvine, Trustee of the University of LaVerne, Chairperson of Board Development Committee of Orange County United Way, member of Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Board of Directors, and a member of the Trusteeship – International Women Forum (IWF).

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Martha Daniel's Bio

Martha Daniel

Martha Daniel is the President and CEO of IMRI, which she founded in 1992. Under her leadership, IMRI has grown significantly to deliver more than $285+ million in cybersecurity, information technology, and engineering across 19 states and internationally.

A published author and frequent speaker, Daniel co-authored On the Other Side of Midnight 2000: An Executive Guide to the Year 2000 Problem and Million Dollar Conversations. She is also an ordained Minister at Christ Our Redeemer African Methodist Episcopal Church, Irvine, Trustee of the University of LaVerne, Chairperson of Board Development Committee of Orange County United Way, member of Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Board of Directors, and a member of the Trusteeship – International Women Forum (IWF).

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Tam Nguyen's Bio

Tam Nguyen

Tam Nguyen is the President of Advance Beauty College, which has campuses in Garden Grove and Laguna Hills and has seen more than 40,00 graduates over 33 years. He also enjoys teaching Family Business Dynamics as a Management faculty member at Cal State Fullerton (CSUF).

An active member of the community, Nguyen is on the Orange County US Bank Advisory Board, the Vice Chair of Orange County United Way’s Board of Directors, Chair Elect of CSUF Philanthropic Foundation, Vice President of the Garden Grove Community Foundation, and past Chair of the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce.

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Tam Nguyen's Bio

Tam Nguyen

Tam Nguyen is the President of Advance Beauty College, which has campuses in Garden Grove and Laguna Hills and has seen more than 40,00 graduates over 33 years. He also enjoys teaching Family Business Dynamics as a Management faculty member at Cal State Fullerton (CSUF).

An active member of the community, Nguyen is on the Orange County US Bank Advisory Board, the Vice Chair of Orange County United Way’s Board of Directors, Chair Elect of CSUF Philanthropic Foundation, Vice President of the Garden Grove Community Foundation, and past Chair of the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce.

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Susan B. Parks' Bio

Susan B. Parks

Susan B. Parks is the President and CEO of Orange County United Way, where she leads the nonprofit organization toward improving lives and strengthening the Orange County community. Parks has a long history with the organization as a former board member and a founding member of the Orange County United Way Women’s Philanthropy Fund.

Parks has received numerous accolades for both her business and civic leadership. She currently serves on the Commission to End Homelessness and is a member of the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Chief Executive Roundtable. Prior to joining United Way, she spent many years as an entrepreneur and executive in corporate America.

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Susan B. Parks' Bio

Susan B. Parks

Susan B. Parks is the President and CEO of Orange County United Way, where she leads the nonprofit organization toward improving lives and strengthening the Orange County community. Parks has a long history with the organization as a former board member and a founding member of the Orange County United Way Women’s Philanthropy Fund.

Parks has received numerous accolades for both her business and civic leadership. She currently serves on the Commission to End Homelessness and is a member of the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Chief Executive Roundtable. Prior to joining United Way, she spent many years as an entrepreneur and executive in corporate America.

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