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By Liz Sullivan
Amid the backdrop of the San Jose Convention Center , Notre Dame High School San Jose hosted its signature event on October 5 with the Women of Impact Luncheon .
Kelly Powell Bruno , Class of 1988 , was the Alumna Honoree and Lisa Sobrato Sonsini the Community Honoree in the ninth year of the event .
“ Notre Dame is proud to recognize Lisa Sobrato Sonsini and Kelly Powell Bruno as the 2017 Women of Impact ,” said Principal Mary Beth Riley . “ Both of these women exemplify the characteristics that we foster at Notre Dame . They are intelligent women of strength , compassion and vision who have brought about change in their communities .”
The Women of Impact Luncheon spotlights the role women have played in history , recognizes and celebrates those making significant contributions to society today , and showcases the regional and global impact of developing meaningful and integrated learning programs for young women .
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Bruno is president and CEO of the National Health Foundation . An experienced social service and healthcare professional , she leads a team of motivated professionals to address community needs by developing and implementing innovative and systemic solutions to gaps in the healthcare delivery system . Also , Bruno is passionate about designing and implementing programs that focus on healthcare system delivery change and insuring the uninsured population .
“ It ’ s not important what degree you have ,” said Bruno . “ All that matters is the vision you share . Our healthcare industry needs young people like those you see at Notre Dame . We have to start thinking upstream and thinking long term . We need to make an investment in our future . Thank you very much for this honor .”
Sonsini serves as board president of the Sobrato Family Foundation , which she established in 1996 as a vehicle for multiple generations of the Sobrato family to unify their philanthropic giving for maximum impact . Under her leadership , the Sobrato Family Foundation has grown tenfold in both assets
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( l-r ) Sapna Ramappa , Lisa Sobrato Sonsini , Kelly Powell Bruno , Mariana Haro and Mary Frances Keller .
and annual giving . For more than 25 years , Sonsini has been an advocate for the rights of disadvantaged youth in both the educational and foster care systems . In addition , she works passionately as a catalyst for civic engagement among many of the rising leaders in Silicon Valley .
One of three children of John A . and Sue Sobrato , Sonsini focused her acceptance speech on her grandmother Ann Sobrato , known to some as the “ Mother of Silicon Valley ,” or as she was known to Sonsini “ Grannie Ann .”
After her husband died in 1952 , Mrs . Sobrato was forced to sell an acre of farm land in Atherton to support herself
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and her family . She took the money she made from the sale and invested in another property . That led Mrs . Sobrato to start the real estate development business that later evolved into the family-run Sobrato Development Co . Among her biggest were projects for Lockhead , Memorex and Kaiser Electronics . She handed the family business over to her son John A . in the 1960 ’ s and devoted herself to charity .
“ She was quite devoted to public service and the inspiration to formalize our family giving ,” said Sonsini . “ She was a true Woman of Impact because she did something with that passion . She persevered . She had a nurturing spirit that was fair and just . She had confidence and a drive to give back . She also had a vision and was always able to see the big picture . I love that Notre Dame educates women to hear these same voices .
“ We can ’ t put blinders on . We have a responsibility in our diverse community to do something . We have to get out of our comfort zone .
“ I am honored to be a part of this celebration . Thank you for this honor in celebrating the women of tomorrow .”
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How can I become my best self ? |
How can I seek justice and truth ?
Become a Bell How can I be challenged and nurtured ?
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How do I change the world ? |
Bellarmine College Preparatory Open House
Sunday , October 29 , 2017
10 am – 1 pm
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bcp . org |