By Jenna Jarrah

Armida Colmenares-Stafford was named this year’s recipient of the 67th distinguished Fernando Award by the Fernando Foundation at a gala dinner held at the Skirball Cultural Center earlier this month.

The award recognizes an individual with a lifetime of significant civic leadership, philanthropy, and volunteer work, and it is considered to be the highest honor a person can receive for a lifetime of volunteer leadership in San Fernando Valley.

“To be a part of the amazing family of recipients and legends that have been so committed to our Valley and made a profound impact–and that I’ve looked up to for many years–is a dream come true,” said Colmenares-Stafford.

Colmenares-Stafford, who is first vice president and senior relationship manager at Columbia Bank, has leveraged her professional background in financial services to contribute to the economic vitality, progress, and prosperity of the Valley.

“I take the skills I know from banking, the finance part and the relationship aspect, to unite our resources to be a stronger voice for the San Fernando Valley,” she said.

Colmenares-Stafford currently works with four organizations across different areas of service. She is the board chair for the Valley Economic Alliance, where her work is in service to the economic empowerment of the Valley. She is the first Latina chair of the United Chambers of Commerce (UCC), where she deals with issues in regard to civil rights and social action at the local, county, and regional level to promote the Valley’s overall welfare. She is the board chair of the Annenberg School of Nursing, promoting education and training in nursing fields, and she is a board member of the Proxy Parent Foundation, a social service that supports Californians with disabilities.

“All of them are personal to me in different ways,” she explained, referring to why she chose to volunteer with the organizations.

She told the Fernando Awards Foundation that she has an “unshakeable belief in the power of networking and connection for business success.”

She has volunteered her time and expertise to educate local business owners and entrepreneurs to contribute to the Valley’s economic success, and enhance thequality of life of those who live there.

At the Valley Economic Alliance, she works closely with the Business Assistance Program to support owner-operators who need additional assistance with business fundamentals such as business plans, marketing plans and financial and consulting services. As a part of her work with United Chambers of Commerce, she has created networking events for businesses to connect with each other, forging B2B connections in the Valley.

“The more you’re able to refer businesses to one another, and keep it in the Valley, the better we will continue to grow with economic strength,” she said.

Colmenares-Stafford believes in the power of education to transform lives. “Educating people through business is a crucial part in helping people change their lives for their future,” she noted.

Colmenares-Stafford, who describes herself as a “success-driven community visionary,” is optimistic about the future of the San Fernando Valley. She cites strong leadership, partnerships, and organizations increasing the Valley’s visibility in Los Angeles, and unwavering community support from residents who are driven, focused and committed to the welfare of the Valley.