Maryam Zar
Founder & President
Maryam Zar is a civic leader, policy advocate, and public servant based in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.
Wally Marks
Vice President
President, Walter N. Marks, Inc., Owner & Operator, Helms Bakery District, Board Member and Board Chair Emerita, Craft & Folk Art Museum
Tim Schneider
Treasurer
TIMOTHY SCHNEIDER is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and creative business professional. He is the President and CEO of Schneider Publishing Company, Inc.
Kathrin Werner
Secretary
Kathrin Werner serves on the Board and is the former Co-Chair of the Miramar Homeowners Association, the oldest HOA in Pacific Palisades.
Dr. Brigitte Nicole Grice
Advisory Committee
Dr. Brigitte Nicole Grice is a lifelong Pacific Palisadian, art historian, artist, curator, and museum CEO with a distinguished career in the arts and nonprofit leadership. Following the devastation of the Palisades Fire, she founded the Pacific Palisades Preservation Coalition, a community-driven effort to safeguard and guide the town’s cultural and architectural heritage during recovery. Deeply rooted in the Palisades, Dr. Grice brings both professional expertise and personal commitment to preserving and reimagining her hometown for future generations.
Allison Holdorff
Advisory Committee
Allison Holdorff-Polhill is a lifelong Pacific Palisades resident, community leader, and fire survivor dedicated to strengthening her hometown through service and advocacy. She currently serves as District Director and Senior Advisor to LAUSD Board District 4 Member Nick Melvoin, where she works to advance educational opportunities and community engagement across Los Angeles. Allison’s deep roots in the Palisades and her commitment to both local recovery and citywide education make her a vital voice in shaping a resilient future for the community.
Michael Edlen
Advisory Committee
Michael Edlen, a longtime Pacific Palisadian and respected community voice, lost his home in the recent fire and has since become a guiding force in the town’s recovery. With deep expertise in real estate, land sales, and sustainable architecture, he brings thoughtful insight into rebuilding while safeguarding neighborhood CC&Rs and community character. Michael also established the long-standing tradition of real estate brokers making substantial contributions to local organizations — a reflection of his belief in community goodwill, resilience, and strength.
John Padden
Advisory Committee
John Padden, a Pacific Palisades fire survivor from the Alphabet Streets, is the President of PRIE, a respected real estate broker, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC). With decades of leadership across business and civic life, John has been an indispensable voice for both the business community and residential interests of the Palisades. His commitment to collaboration and recovery makes him a driving force in efforts to rebuild the community with resilience and vision.
Vicky Schiff
Advisory Committee
Vicky Schiff is a Pacific Palisades fire survivor who lost her home and has since become a committed leader in the community’s recovery. She is the CEO of Avrio Real Estate Credit and serves as a Neighborhood Representative for Castellammare, bringing both professional expertise and local advocacy to the rebuilding process. With deep ties in the business, real estate, and insurance industries across Los Angeles, Vicky is helping to ensure the Palisades rebuilds with resilience, strength, and vision.
Nina Madok
Advisory Committee
Nina Madok, a retired attorney and Pacific Palisades resident since 2000, is known for her leadership in local initiatives that protect and strengthen the community. She founded PaliBiz to support local businesses during crises, launched Beaches and Parks 4 All to preserve Will Rogers State Beach, and helped start the Kids on Bikes program. Active with the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness since 2015, Nina has long been a dedicated advocate for both residents and the vitality of the Palisades.
Marcia Vogler
Advisory Committee
Marcia Vogler is a leader in the Castellammare Mesa Homeowners Association (CMHO), representing nearly 200 homes in Pacific Palisades. She helped establish the Brush Clearance Fund to protect the community from wildfire risk and has been a vocal advocate for responsible rebuilding after the Palisades Fire. A staunch opponent of unsafe hillside and bulkhead development, Marcia champions resilience, safety, and preservation of Castellammare’s unique landscape.
Kaye Steinsapir
Advisory Committee
Kaye Steinsapir is a longtime Pacific Palisades resident and community activist, deeply committed to preserving the character, safety, and resilience of the Palisades. She has been an outspoken advocate on local issues ranging from responsible development and environmental protection to community recovery after wildfire, always working to ensure that the voices of residents are heard and that the Palisades remains a vibrant, livable place for generations to come.
Robert Lempert
Advisory Committee
Dr. Robert Lempert is a senior researcher at the RAND Corporation and a resident of Pacific Palisades who lost his home in the recent fire. An internationally recognized expert on climate resilience and decision-making under uncertainty, he is bringing his professional expertise to the community’s recovery by helping to facilitate visioning charrettes that guide residents in imagining and planning for a more resilient rebuild of the Palisades.
Howard Robinson
Advisory Committee
Howard Robinson is a longtime Palisadian, former Chair of the PPCC Land Use Committee and past President of the Marquez Knolls Property Owners Association (MKPOA). A seasoned land use professional, he has been a steadfast defender of CC&Rs and the community’s character, while serving as an effective bridge to local elected officials. With deep knowledge of planning and legislation, Howard is a respected voice in shaping policies that protect and strengthen the Palisades.
