Here are biographies of this year’s candidates for the Ebell Board of Directors Election. Many thanks to them for being willing to assume leadership roles at our club.
Members who are eligible to vote will have received an eblast from the Ebell with a link to the ballot on Monday May 3rd. The deadline for ballot submission will be Monday May 17 at 5:00 pm.
Don’t forget that in order for the election to be valid, at least 50 members must vote.
Thank you,
Patty Lombard
64th President
Ebell of Los Angeles
Madelyn Murray
Candidate for Director of Finance
I’ve been a member of The Ebell since 2000. I currently serve as the Ebell Director of Finance and chair the Ebell Finance Committee. I briefly served as Scholarship Chair and Board member when I was called upon to fill the vacancy of an elected Scholarship Chair, who could no longer serve. Since my retirement from BNY Mellon in December 2014, I have become a more active member of The Ebell, serving on the Ebell Executive Director Recruitment and Selection Committee, Publications, Nominations, and on the Strategic Planning Committee. I’m also a member of the Book Club. My career in finance and investments included 3 years as a stockbroker/wealth manager; 7 years in public finance investment banking; principal of a wealth management company, and 20 years marketing investment strategies to institutions and intermediaries. I have held several securities licenses in good standing, including FINRA Series 7, 63, 24 and 27. I completed my MBA from UCLA Anderson, and my BA from UCLA College. My prior board affiliations include: Chair, Los Angeles Convention Center Authority Board; member, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Province Advisory Board; member, Friends of the California African American Museum; President, St. Mary’s Academy Alumnae Association. My husband, John W. Murray, Jr., and I have been married 50 years. Together we have 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. We reside in Brookside.
Denise Parga
Candidate for Director of Historic Collections
I am honored to be nominated as Director of Special Collections.
I have been a member of The Ebell since 2014 when Loyce Braun recruited me as a dancer for the Ebell decades dance. When I am not busy dancing or modeling for the ladies of The Ebell, I serve as the Curator of The Ebell Costume Committee, a post I have held since 2016. I am also a member of the Programming Committee and I knit for the Square Club.
I am a retired business and real estate litigator who enjoys cooking, cocktails, sewing and vintage fashion. While in private practice, I was editor of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers newsletter. Prior to becoming an attorney, I was a fabric designer, specializing in knits.
As Director of Special Collections, I will continue to promote electronic inventory of all of The Ebell’s collections and continue the great work of Suzanne Wilton, who was The Ebell’s first ever Director of Special Collections.
Christy McAvoy
Candidate for Director of House, Theatre & Grounds
Christy is an educator, LA historian, and retired historic preservation consultant. Founder of Historic Resources Group, she has guided the reuse and rehabilitation of landmarks from hotels to affordable housing throughout Southern California for four decades. A past president of the Los Angeles Conservancy and an advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, she is a member of the Ebell Chorale, an avid reader, and loves to travel.
Lizzie Blatt
Candidate for Director of Publications
I have served as Director of Publications for the past two years and have been responsible for launching the new Ebell Emagazine.
I have a degree in Philosophy from Bristol University, in England. I chose a career in publishing and was first a book editor, then a magazine editor, and subsequently a freelance writer/editor.
I have been a member of The Ebell for five years and have served on the Publications Committee, Programming Committee and Social Services Committee, where I have been an Ambassador for one of the RCA grantees.
Clare Sebenius
Candidate for Director of Publications
Clare Sebenius has spent twenty years working for companies, brand, destinations and non-profits seeking to make more meaningful connections with the audiences they seek to attract and/or serve. Her work is characterized by creative insight complemented by fresh and accessible creative expression. Clients have included Caruso, Imagine LA, Aviva Family and Children’s Services, Sony PlayStation, DJM Capitol, Universal Studios, CenterCal Properties, Sony Global, Lexus, Amgen, Lilly and many others. She is skilled in conceptual development, design management, copywriting, project management, brand and visual identity, and storytelling.
Liza Ameen
Candidate for Director of Public Relations & Marketing
Liza deVilla Ameen is a marketing communications executive with nearly 30 years of dedication to the community, arts and culture. She is an active member of The Ebell’s PR committee and is currently leading civil rights communications for Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles. Prior to that, her career has included Stories From The Frontline, American Film Institute, Annenberg Foundation, Natural History Museum, Universal Music Group, Hard Rock Café International, and The Washington Post. She and her husband Sam are adjusting to empty-nest living while their son explores college life in New York City.
Stephanie Kaiser
Candidate for Director of Rest Cottage Association
Having worked in the nonprofit sector for 20 years, Stephanie is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need, particularly women, youth, those with disabilities, and seniors. Stephanie is a consultant to nonprofits, advising on organizational capacity and long-term sustainability with a focus on grant writing, fundraising, and philanthropy. For the past two years, Stephanie has led the grant review process as RCA’s Chair of Gifts and Investments.
Elizabeth Yeo
Candidate for Secretary
Elizabeth is a former Cryptologic Technician Operator with the U.S. Navy. Her military experience has influenced a career spanning three decades and six industries.
Now a published Author, Advocate, Consultant, Speaker, Radio Co-Host, and CEO and Founder of Veteran Charities Initiative, Elizabeth works with organizations designing change-management strategies to attract, interview, hire, place, train, and retain women veterans at every level within an organization.
In addition, Elizabeth is an active volunteer and community engagement leader advocating for the health, well-being, and welfare of women veterans and those in underserved communities and demographics.
Through focused education, consulting, workshops, seminars, speaking engagements, and charitable events, Elizabeth develops alliances and partnerships with vetted organizations and companies providing opportunities, products, resources, and services that enhance the lives of women veterans and the communities they live in and serve.
Her mission: to ensure women veterans are healthy, connected, and protected.
Anne Lynch
Candidate for Director of Scholarship
I’d be honored to serve as the Scholarship Committee’s Director. While a USC librarian, I helped implement services to enhance students’ ability to develop into knowledgeable leaders in their chosen fields. The Scholarship Committee likewise supports students in realizing their full potential, so it would be a pleasure to lead the advancement of this important mission. Since 2018, I’ve served on the Scholarship Committee, RCA, Social Services Ambassador, and participated in the Ebell Chorale.
