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Interim CEO Takes the Helm at NAWBO-LA

Renowned nonprofit executive to guide the organization, as board leadership and staff continue their outstanding work

Helen Han	Patricia Murar

Patricia Murar, a well-known leader with approximately 30 years of experience in nonprofit and business management, recently joined NAWBO-LA as interim CEO. She replaced Helen Han, who has been named interim executive director of NAWBO National.

Murar most recently worked at the Women’s Foundation of California after leading The Los Angeles Women’s Foundation and The Women’s Foundation in San Francisco through a merger into a statewide organization. Previously, she spent 17 years at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, culminating in her role as executive vice president in 1995-96.

Earlier in her career, Murar gained community development experience with a City Council field office. She also has served as an adjunct professor at California State University, Northridge, in nonprofit management, and as a faculty member with United Way of America’s National Academy of Volunteerism.

“We’re truly thrilled to welcome Patty Murar to the NAWBO-LA team,” said Board President Laura Yamanaka. “As a true ‘stateswoman’ well-known in Los Angeles and women’s business advocacy circles, she brings to NAWBO-LA tremendous experience in transition management, board and donor relations, nonprofit governance, team building, collaboration and much more.”

Yamanaka added that a formal, disciplined search for candidates for a full-time CEO already is underway, as the NAWBO-LA board and staff ensure that the organization’s programs and services continue to be delivered at the highest level.

“I want to thank the NAWBO-LA and Enterprise Institute of NAWBO-LA board members for their commitment during this transition, and also recognize the outstanding NAWBO-LA staff for their continued dedication to the success of women entrepreneurs,” Yamanaka said. “At the same time, I want to provide a heartfelt thank you to Helen Han for her five years of leadership at NAWBO-LA, during which time she elevated the organization in its mission to propel women entrepreneurs into greater economic, social and political spheres of power.”

Laura Yamanaka

National Award for NAWBO-LA President

While the NAWBO-LA board members work with Murar, they’re also rising to new heights themselves.

The firm co-owned by Yamanaka, teamCFO, Inc., recently received one of just three national Asian Business Leadership Awards at the 23^rd annual Asian American Business Conference in Washington, D.C.

Yamanaka and teamCFO co-owner Carrie Tsang-Hidding accepted the honor, presented by Wells Fargo and the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation. The recipients were selected from a nationwide pool of applicants and evaluated based on their innovation, financial success and community service.

Yamanaka’s and Tsang-Hidding’s firm provides customized onsite chief financial officer (CFO) services for small and mid-sized businesses, helping to “level the corporate playing field” for these companies by providing the advice and guidance of senior financial executives without the financial burden of a full-time highly compensated employee.

In addition to their teamCFO work, both women give back to the community at large and serve as role models for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

Besides serving as NAWBO-LA president, Yamanaka this month will be installed as a member of the NAWBO National Board of Directors. She also teaches financial literacy for business owners at NAWBO-LA’s PEAK Leadership Academy^SM and conducts seminars for high school students on basic financial skills. In addition, she and Tsang-Hidding work closely with a handful of nonprofit organizations that serve mental health, veteran’s and children’s causes.

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