Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future

As the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce marks its 60th Anniversary, Women’s History Month provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the women whose leadership, courage, and vision have helped shape and sustain our organization. This year’s national theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” is deeply reflected in the legacy of the women who have guided the Chamber’s growth, strengthened its voice, and elevated the Temecula Valley on regional and national stages.

For six decades, women have played an essential role in advancing the Chamber’s mission to connect people, solve business challenges, and champion a thriving local economy. Their work has created a foundation that continues to benefit businesses, families, and future generations.

Foundational Visionaries

In 1983, Evelyn Harker helped found the iconic Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival, serving as its first Chairperson. Drawing upon her extensive event planning background, she established a signature experience that remains one of the region’s hallmark celebrations. Evelyn and her husband, Bill, were steadfast supporters of the Chamber, helping grow membership from 69 to 650 members in just five years. Her leadership exemplified the power of vision combined with action.

Malinda Margiotta, who served on the Chamber Board in the late 1990s and early 2000s, represented the child care industry at a pivotal time. Her work underscored a vital truth: accessible, quality child care is foundational to economic participation, particularly for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Her presence ensured that the Chamber’s leadership reflected the realities facing working families.

Sally Myers brought heart and recognition to the Valley through her nonprofit, the Student of the Month Program, Inc.. After founding the High School Student of the Month Program in Temecula in 1992, she worked closely with local chambers and school districts to honor student achievement month after month. A Chamber Ambassador in the 1980s, she also contributed to early tourism and education initiatives. Known to local radio audiences as “Sally Sizzler,” she used her voice to celebrate the promise of the next generation.

Building Community Infrastructure

In 1999, Melody Brunsting helped lead the capital campaign to construct the Chamber’s own building, a milestone in the organization’s maturity and permanence. As Board Chair and dedicated leader, she strengthened the Chamber’s visibility and credibility. Among her many contributions was an effort, both strategic and symbolic, to ensure Temecula appeared on regional television weather maps. At a time when bumper stickers humorously asked, “Where is Temecula?”, her advocacy helped secure placement within the Los Angeles television market, expanding name recognition and reinforcing civic pride.

Janese Reyes, who joined the Board of Directors in 2001, was a generous champion of the Chamber’s initiatives. As Secretary of the Executive Board and Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, later known as the Special Events Committee, she helped guide signature events and fundraising efforts. Through her company, Community Little Book, she served as title sponsor of the Business Expo for many years and supported the Chamber’s transition into its new building. Her belief in the Chamber’s work was demonstrated not only in words, but in sustained action and partnership.

Advocacy and Regional Influence

The Valley lost a remarkable leader with the passing of Joan Sparkman in December 2025. A founding member of the Southwest California Legislative Council (SWCLC), Joan dedicated more than five decades to advocacy in education, healthcare, and business. Representing the Chamber at the regional, state, and federal levels, she worked tirelessly to reduce regulatory burdens and amplify the voice of local businesses. Known as both a loyal friend and a formidable advocate, Joan’s influence remains woven into the fabric of our community.

Pamela Voit, who served multiple terms as Chair of the Board in the late 1990s and early 2000s, exemplified civic engagement. Her leadership extended beyond the Chamber to county-level economic development and statewide legislative advocacy. Recognizing how public policy shapes quality of life, she later became a delegate and chair within California’s legislative action efforts, further strengthening the Chamber’s culture of informed and active advocacy.

Transformational Leadership

In 1994, Alice Sullivan became Chief Executive Officer of the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, serving until her retirement in 2019. Her tenure marked a period of extraordinary growth and innovation. She launched enduring initiatives such as the Southwest California Legislative Council, the Southwest Manufacturing Council, the Patty Deroeux Scholarship, and Valley Young Professionals. Under her leadership, the Chamber grew to more than 1,000 members, becoming the largest in the Valley and a respected regional voice for business.

Kimberly Adams advanced Temecula’s presence on the global stage. Initially hired to lead tourism efforts within the Chamber, she established a separate nonprofit entity in 2004 that would become Visit Temecula Valley. As its founding Chief Executive Officer, she began with a modest budget and a bold vision. By creating the first Tourism Improvement District in inland Southern California, she secured sustainable funding through assessment fees rather than taxpayer dollars. Today, Visit Temecula Valley operates with a multimillion-dollar budget, and Temecula is recognized worldwide as a premier destination. Her foresight created an enduring economic engine for the region.

Continuing the Legacy

The strength of the Chamber today reflects the continued leadership of women who carry this legacy forward.

• Kim Kelliher, Chair of the Board (2023–2024), guided the organization through strategic initiatives that strengthened member engagement.
• Jackie Steed, Chair of the Board (2025), continued to build upon that foundation with a focus on collaboration and growth.
• Esther Phahla, serving as the 2026 Chair of the Board, now leads the organization into its seventh decade with clarity of purpose and commitment to business advocacy.
• Bhavani Vajrakarur, 2026 Chair of Valley Young Professionals, is cultivating the next generation of leaders who will shape the Chamber’s future.

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

As we celebrate sixty years of service, we honor these women not only for the positions they held, but for the change they led. They strengthened infrastructure, championed advocacy, expanded opportunity, and built sustainable systems that continue to benefit the Temecula Valley business community. Their leadership reminds us that sustainability is not merely environmental or financial. It is institutional. It is cultural. It is generational.

During Women’s History Month, we extend our gratitude to these trailblazers and to the many women, past, present, and future, who continue to shape a resilient and thriving Chamber. Their work endures, and because of them, the future remains bright.