Clips
CSUN’s Annual Powwow Celebrates 40 years of Bringing Together SoCal American Indian Communities
California State University, Northridge’s 40th annual Powwow returns to campus on Saturday, Nov. 29, in celebration of the American Indian communities of Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. -- San Fernando Valley Sun
Whitesides bill would name post office after Clinkunbroomer
Ryan Clinkunbroomer was born in Panorama City and raised in Castaic, and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Northridge. A third-generation LA County sheriff’s deputy, he served in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for eight years before he was killed in an ambush while on duty in Palmdale in 2023. -- Antelope Valley Press
2025 Top 100 Accountant: COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
He volunteers for the mentorship program at California State University, Northridge where he supports aspiring accounting professionals by sharing his industry experience, offering career guidance, and helping students build confidence as they prepare to enter the workforce. His involvement reflects a genuine dedication to education and the development of future leaders in the field. -- Los Angeles Business Journal
Fueling Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial spirit: BizStarts Midwest Visiting Professors Symposium
The event featured TED-style masterclasses led by nationally recognized professors, including Michael Morris of the University of Notre Dame, Ted Zoller of the University of North Carolina, Sara Cochran of Indiana University, Lois Shelton of California State University Northridge (CSUN) Nazarian College of Business and Economics, Jonathan Shirley of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Charles Inokon of Duke University, Howard Jean-Denis of Morehouse College, and Sher Gibbs of Morehouse College. Topics ranged from leveraging resources beyond financing to building customer-funded businesses—demonstrating that success in entrepreneurship is about strategy, support, and resilience. -- WEDC
BUSINESS CalPrivate Bank Opens Montecito Branch in Upper Village
Leis – a name most recently associated with his being President and COO of Montecito Bank and Trust – has over 33 years in banking and finance. His CV includes Regional President of Union Bank, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SBB&T), Pacific Capital Bancorp (PCBC), Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. Leis serves on the board of the Channel Islands YMCA, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum; and is Chair of both the YMCA of the USA and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. He co-chairs the Finance Committee for the California State University, Northridge Foundation, his alma mater where he received a Distinguished Alumni Award. If you know Leis, you know of his fondness for classic automobiles, vintage audio, art and Fiesta. -- Montecito Journal
2025 Top 100 Accountant: EMERGING LEADER OF THE YEAR
Karla Sharan serves as an experienced manager in assurance at Forvis Mazars, where she leads audit engagements across a diverse portfolio of clients in the technology, services and commercial product sectors. She is known for her technical excellence, collaborative leadership style, and ability to build strong relationships with both clients and team members. Sharan plays a critical role in project management, risk assessment, and delivering high-quality assurance services that meet regulatory requirements and client expectations. Beyond her client work, Sharan is deeply involved in the firm’s recruiting, where she helps identify and attract top talent. She also serves as a mentor and career coach to junior staff, guiding them through their professional development and helping them navigate the early stages of their careers. Sharan is also an active contributor to inclusion and development initiatives within her firm being part of the People Advisory Council, advocating for a workplace culture that values diversity, equity and continuous learning. Her voice is trusted and respected in conversations around belonging and representation. In the past, Sharan has also actively participated in other I&D firm initiatives as well as Women Leadership initiatives. In addition, Sharan is a dedicated professional and community advocate who exemplifies leadership through service. She uses her platform and experience to uplift others – especially through her mentorship of students and young professionals. Sharan mentors students at her alma mater, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and other universities in Los Angeles, where she provides guidance to Latino students pursuing careers in accounting and business. -- Los Angeles Business Journal
Former professor Bronte Herbert Reynolds has died
Following his retirement from Montecito Union in 2002, Bronte continued to shape future educators as a tenured professor at California State University, Northridge, where he chaired the Educational Leadership Department and helped develop the university’s distance learning program in partnership with Shanghai Normal University in China. He later served as adjunct faculty at California Lutheran University. -- Santa Barbara Independent
Metro's Tap-to-Exit program returns to North Hollywood and Union Station stops
Cal State Northridge University students Angelica Hernandez and Jacqueline Guzman were happy to hear that the Tap-to-Exit program has returned. The young women said they have recently seen crime and sexual harassment on the public transit system. -- CBS News
O’Garro scores 23, grabs 11 rebounds, Cal State Northridge beats Troy 94-85
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Josh O’Garro scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Cal State Northridge beat Troy 94-85 on Sunday. -- Associated Press
2025 Top 100 Accountant: HOWARD GROBSTEIN
Native Angeleno Howard Grobstein has been a local, trusted expert in forensic accounting and fiduciary support for over thirty years. A graduate of California State University, Northridge, Grobstein swiftly honed an entrepreneurial edge in the accounting profession, finding creative ways to serve clients beyond the transactional opportunities typical of a consulting practice. In 2013, he formed Grobstein Teeple, an accounting and consulting firm headquartered in LA. Under his leadership as managing partner, the firm has expanded from eight to over fifty professionals, offering full-service accounting and consulting services to individuals and middle-market businesses. Grobstein specializes in all matters of business consulting, including business valuation, business management, back-office accounting, fractional CFO services, transactions, and due diligence. -- Los Angeles Business Journal
