Visionary Award - Xavier Becerra
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Xavier Becerra is the 25th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the first Latino to hold the office. He is committed to carrying out President Biden and Vice President Harris vision of ensuring health security and access to health care for all Americans.
Becerra’s career has consistently focused on expanding access to affordable health care, from his early work as a legal advocate for individuals with mental illness to his role as California’s Attorney General. He served 12 terms in Congress, becoming the first Latino on the Committee on Ways and Means, where he championed legislation like the Medicare Savings Programs Improvement Act of 2007 and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. He was also an original cosponsor of the Affordable Care Act.
As California’s Attorney General, Becerra fought pharmaceutical companies that engaged in anti-competitive practices, safeguarded patient health information, and took early action during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect workers and health care rights. He also led efforts against Medicare and Medicaid fraud, combated the opioid crisis, and played a key role in preserving the Affordable Care Act. Born in Sacramento to working-class parents, Becerra was the first in his family to earn a four-year degree, receiving his B.A. in Economics and J.D. from Stanford University. He is married to Dr. Carolina Reyes and is a proud father to three daughters and a son-in-law.
Wellnest is honored to award Secretary Becerra with the Visionary Award for his dedication and vision with the National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health. His efforts have had a profound impact, particularly in the greater Los Angeles area, where Wellnest serves vulnerable children and their families who face mental health challenges. Sec. Becerra’s policies and support has played a crucial role in allowing Wellnest to expand our services within the communities we serve including increasing the number of behavioral health professionals and providing our clients access to care, through telehealth services.
Legacy Award – Louchheim family
Wellnest, formerly known as the LA Child Guidance Clinic, was founded 100 years ago and built upon a foundation of philanthropy and civic leadership. To this day, the commitment of individuals to our cause and their willingness to actively participate in our mission are central to who we are as a mental health and housing organization and has helped to build a legacy for Wellnest for the next century of service.
Wellnest is honored to present the Legacy Award to the Louchheim family for their exemplary support for more than 80 years. William S. Louchheim was enlisted by a friend and neighbor to serve on the Board of Directors in 1943. Soon after, his wife Jean Louchheim served as a director of the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic (now Wellnest.) During their long-term commitment to Wellnest, Mr. and Mrs. Louchheim Sr. saw Wellnest move into a newly built location designed by the famous architect Richard Neutra, on the University of Southern California (USC) campus.
Their grandson, Mark Louchheim served as Board Chair, and as a member of the Board of Directors for more than twenty years. During that time, Mark also saw Wellnest expand, eventually outgrowing its original site on the USC campus and expanded into a new building on Vermont and Exposition, on land that Wellnest purchased. Mark’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William S. Louchheim Jr., have also been loyal friends to Wellnest. Continuing in the family tradition, Mark and Cathy Louchheim’s son Matt has volunteered his time at Wellnest and their daughter Jenny serves on the Board of Directors and is chair of this year’s Centennial Celebration.
Wellnest is deeply moved and grateful for the four generations of support and the lasting legacy the Louchheim family has provided for nearly 81 years. We honor the family with the Legacy Award for their incredible dedication and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of countless children and families over eight decades.
Impact Award
Jacqueline Jacobs Caster established the Everychild Foundation in 2000, dedicated to supporting Los Angeles area children who are facing adversity, due to disease, disability, abuse, neglect, or poverty. Comprised of over 200 women who each contribute $6000 annually, the funds are combined to form a one million dollar grant annually, supporting innovative, replicable projects addressing the critical needs of children. Jacqueline is also personally engaged in juvenile justice reform and served for six years as a member of the LA County Probation Commission which monitors juvenile incarceration facilities, and where she was an outspoken critic. She was instrumental in launching a youth diversion program with the Los Angeles Police Department, which has been recognized nationwide, offering therapeutic interventions as an alternative to adjudication for eligible youth offenders.
Wellnest is honored to recognize Jacqueline Jacobs Caster for her remarkable leadership as the Founder and President of Everychild Foundation, renowned for its innovative philanthropic approach to raising funds in the community. As a beneficiary of Everychild Foundation’s targeted community grants, Wellnest has been able to expand its programs within the communities we serve and enabling us to have an even greater impact on the children and families who need us the most.
Champion Award
David Ambroz is a best-selling author, Emmy nominated producer, and currently serves as Amazon’s Head of Community Engagement (Southern California & Western US Region). In that role he is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic, hyper-local approach for Amazon to be present in that geography through partnerships that span the public, private, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining Amazon, David led Corporate Social Responsibility for Walt Disney Television for more than a decade. David served as the President of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, where he led passage of major policies including the regulation of cannabis and home-sharing, and co-authored the Linkage Fee policy to fund affordable housing. He has served on various commissions and non-profit boards and is currently proud to serve on the board of Equality California. He was recognized by President Obama as American Champion of Change for his work on behalf of children experiencing poverty.
Wellnest is honored to recognize David Ambroz for his incredible commitment and invaluable contributions in championing the importance of advocating for children, young adults and families who need emotional health, wellness services and housing. David has positively impacted the lives of so many individuals by using his voice and personal experience to advocate for more love and support for children in crisis.
Ambassador Award
Pablo Stennett is a multiple Grammy award winning musician and composer. He has been heavily influenced by his Jamaican roots and a family of musicians. Pablo began playing the piano at age five and added bass, upright bass, and guitar to his repertoire. He has worked with a multitude of legendary talents including Ziggy Marley, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Cliff, Chaka Khan, Pink, and Raphael Saadiq, just to name a few. Most recently, Pablo worked on the Bob Marley: One Love movie soundtrack and the, “You’re Amazing” campaign, a project to benefit mental health facilities.
Pablo is the founder of the We Are Tomorrow Foundation, “Inspiring Positive Change Through Music” and with a mission to, “harness the power and influence of artists and the arts to inspire positive change and transform communities.” Pablo’s commitment to providing at-risk youth with invaluable opportunities to learn, grow and build their self-confidence is aligned with Wellnest’s vision of supporting families with holistic, emotional health and wellness services.
Pablo is also a global ambassador for Puma, one of the largest multi-national sportswear brands in the world. Through these powerful avenues, Pablo is lifting up the stories of young adults who are striving every day to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams. Wellnest is honored to present Pablo with the Ambassador award for his compassion and vision, for empowering young adults.
Master of Ceremonies
Chris Schauble
Chris Schauble is co-anchor of the KTLA 5 Morning News weekdays from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. He also co-hosts “Off the Clock” at 2 p.m. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2001, Chris has earned multiple awards, including five Emmys and six Golden Mics.
Chris is passionate about his work, family, and fitness. He is a former marathoner and triathlete, having completed three full Ironman competitions, including the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Chris also coached youth track in the greater LA area for eight years as a USATF Level 1 Coach. During that time, he helped dozens of athletes become All-Americans.
Prior to his Los Angeles work, Chris spent time at KCNC-TV in Denver where he covered several national stories. His coverage of the Columbine High School shootings helped the station earn a regional Emmy for spot news. In 2000, Chris was named “Television Journalist of the Year” by the Colorado Association of Black Journalists.