Emcee: Gwyn Lurie

Gwyn Lurie began her career as a Journalist for ABC News in New York. She was a producer on the award-winning documentary “Voices From the Attic” about her family’s years in hiding during the holocaust. She lived and worked in Managua, Nicaragua, as a reporter. Gwyn worked as an executive for 20th Century Fox and later for Interscope Entertainment’s feature film division; she worked as a screenwriter for two decades penning such projects as the 2016 feature film “Nine Lives” starring Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Garner; she co-wrote/adapted Oliver Sacks’ “The Last Hippie”, which became “The Music Never Stopped” starring JK Simmonds (Sundance opening selection, 2010). She adapted Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The BFG.” Gwyn has written for almost every major motion picture studio. Gwyn moved to Santa Barbara in 2009 along with her husband, Les Firestein, and two daughters, Sydney and Noa. She completed two terms as an elected member of the MUS School Board, serving as President for five years; Gwyn chaired the SB County Child Safety Net Task Force. She co-founded the Program for Resilient Communities following the 1/9 debris flow. She co-chaired Santa Barbara’s Human Rights Watch Committee. Gwyn received her BA from UCLA, where she was elected Student Body President; she’s a Truman Scholar and attended Oxford University’s Balliol College as a Newton Tatum Scholar after being a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. In 2019, Gwyn raised capital through local investors to purchase the Montecito Journal and founded the Montecito Journal Media Group, for which she currently serves as CEO and Executive Editor. Gwyn co-founded The Giving List Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area, and most recently, The Giving List Women, an international endeavor.

Keynote Speaker: Angel Martinez

Angel Martinez is a globally recognized business leader whose career has been defined by vision, resilience, and the transformative power of opportunity. A founding employee of Reebok, Angel helped build the brand into a worldwide phenomenon before serving as President and CEO of The Rockport Company. He later co-founded KEEN Footwear and went on to lead Deckers Brands (UGG®, HOKA®, Teva®) as CEO and Chairman through a period of extraordinary growth and innovation. A two-time Footwear News “Person of the Year” and recipient of the industry’s Icon Award, Angel has shaped some of the world’s most recognized brands.

A Cuban immigrant who came to the United States at age three, Angel credits public education, mentorship, and athletics for shaping his path. A UC Davis graduate and former All-American runner, he believes deeply in expanding opportunities for young people, especially through education.

Angel and his wife live in Santa Barbara, where he continues to serve and invest in the local community.