Politics & Government

Jan Dennis, Leanne Huebner Women of Distinction

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi honors the two women for their accomplishments.

Two Manhattan Beach women are among those honored as Women of Distcintion by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and co-host Soroptimist International of Manhattan Beach in celebration of Women’s History Month.

The accomplishments of Leanne Huebner and Jan Dennis were celebrated during a reception at the Hermosa Beach Clark Building Saturday. The two woman join 10 women from communities within the 66th Assembly District who were honored for their accomplishments. 

The 12 honorees are Paula Boothe, Dora de la Rosa, Jan Dennis, Leanne Huebner, Pat Kromka, Dinah Lary, Michaela "Mickey” Marraffino, Jane Parisi, Barbara Saltzman,  Mary Lou Weiss, Angi Ma Wong and Jan Tokumaru.

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Each Women of Distinction award recipient was nominated for their extraordinary achievements. Finalists were chosen from among the nominees from each city within the 66th Assembly District. From this impressive list of nominees, 12 women were selected for their distinguished involvement and leadership in the community.

“I am very grateful and fortunate to have such amazing women in District 66 that serve as role models to everyone in our community,” Muratsuchi said. “Their tireless efforts with civic and community endeavors are invaluable and they serve as shining examples of selfless giving."

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Leanne Huebner, Manhattan Beach [from the Beach Reporter]

Huebner received her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She started her career on Wall Street at Credit Suisse First Boston where she advised large multinationals on credit issues.

In 1991, she helped found Minds Matter, a nationwide mentoring nonprofit that has assisted more than 1,000 low-income youth transform their life outcomes through greater educational opportunities. Huebner is the founding board vice president of Minds Matter of Los Angeles, which was named Non-Profit of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2010. More than 90 percent of Minds Matter graduates achieve a bachelor’s degree.

Additionally, she is the vice president of communications and executive board member for the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, which raises more than $5 million a year to support public education. She also chairs the legislative advocacy group for the Manhattan Beach Council of PTAs, advocating for public education in Sacramento.

Jan Dennis, Manhattan Beach [from the Beach Reporter]

In 1961, after settling in California with her husband, Stan, the two formed Janstan Studio, a graphic art studio. At that time, they joined the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, where she served as president in 1981.

A few years later, Dennis was elected to the City Council, serving as mayor of Manhattan Beach in 1986. She began to write and research her first coffee table book, which she self published, “A Walk Beside the Sea,” a history of Manhattan Beach, while serving as the second female mayor on the City Council and chairing the 75th anniversary of the city’s incorporation.

Additionally, Dennis has been the president of the Neptunian Women’s Club and city’s historical society; founded the city’s Cultural Heritage Conservancy to recognize historic buildings, and organized the city's centennial parade. She also started a four-year scholarship for a Mira Costa High School student who then attends UCLA.


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