Renée LaBran was given a tour of Hathaway-Sycamores’ El Nido campus in 2003. After meeting several boys in residential treatment, Renée reflected: “My sons go to school in La Cañada Flintridge less than a mile from these cottages, yet their lives are worlds apart from the boys who call this campus home.”
In that precise moment, Renée knew she wanted to make a difference, and Hathaway-Sycamores was the place to do it.
For over a decade, Renée has been doing just that. She has served on Hathaway-Sycamores’ Board of Directors and has held numerous positions along the way, including: chairing the Administration & Finance Committee, the Development Committee, and Dinners From the Heart; helping to create and grow the Adopt-a-Family holiday program; serving as Board Vice Chair; and helming the Board from 2011 to 2013.
Renée brings with her more than 25 years of high-level-financial experience. Currently, Renee is active in the venture capital community, focused on technology and consumer products. In addition to being a Partner in Rustic Canyon / Fontis Partners, she is a Senior Advisor at Idealab, a technology incubator. She is also the Governor’s Appointee to the California State Bar Board of Trustees, as a public member. Prior to launching her professional career, Renée graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.B.A. with honors from the Harvard Business School.
Looking back at her Hathaway-Sycamores’ tenure, Renée says that the most memorable moments have been hearing directly from children and families who’ve benefitted from the agency’s services. “When you hear these first-person accounts,” she explains, “then you come to truly appreciate what they’ve gone through. It’s especially moving when they talk about the fact that Hathaway-Sycamores has – literally – changed their lives. Many of the young people go as far as to say that if it wasn’t for Hathaway-Sycamores, they would either be on the streets or dead. The work this agency does is absolutely amazing.”
Renée further notes, “I’m a big fan of all Hathaway-Sycamores’ programs, particularly the Transitional Independent Living Program,” which will be showcased at this year’s Celebrating Children event. Hathaway-Sycamores operates one of the largest Transitional Independent Living Programs in the Greater Los Angeles area, providing housing, life-skills training, job opportunities, and mental-health services to foster youth who’ve aged out of the foster-care system.
As Renée observes, “It’s hard enough for 18 year olds to manage living on their own even in the best of circumstances. Why would anyone think that kids who likely have been in multiple foster placements are going to possess the stability and skills to strike out on their own simply because they’ve turned 18? You can’t help but feel good about this innovative program that’s addressing a gaping hole in the foster-care system.”
This year Hathaway Sycamores honors and appreciates Renée LaBran, who is greatly deserving of Hathaway-Sycamores’ Celebrating Children Award, which is given annually to an individual or family that exemplifies the values of integrity, leadership and commitment to the well-being of children, adults, families, and communities.
Please join Hathaway-Sycamores on September 17, 2016 at the Autry Museum of the American West to honor Renée for her many years of service to their agency.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.hathawaysycamores-2584.wedid.it or call (626) 395-7100 ext 2516.
