The Conejo Valley community spirit is evident in the strong support of its many nonprofit organizations. Here, we celebrate three special women who share a love for their community, expressed through their outstanding service to others. Dedicated to making a difference, they improve the lives of countless individuals with their selfless efforts to serve.
Shirley Eichhorn, Assistance League® of Conejo Valley President
Flashback more than 3 decades when a group of women banded together to start a local Assistance League chapter. Among them was Shirley Eichhorn, current president of Assistance League of Conejo Valley. Introduced to the organization by a friend, Shirley joined their efforts early on and decided to stay.
A chapter of National Assistance League®, Assistance League of Conejo Valley is a volunteer nonprofit that provides philanthropic programs to improve the lives of children and adults.
“I joined about 30 years ago when there were just a few of us,” says Shirley. “Helping school kids is a main focus, and that drew me to stay.”
Today, the local nonprofit includes 195 members—138 adults and 57 teens—dedicated to helping through several programs. Operation School Bell® is a signature program that enables kids to go clothes shopping. Their literacy program supports students with reading help and their vision program funds eye exams and glasses.
The mother of four daughters, Shirley set an example with her generosity that her children wholeheartedly embraced. At 7, Megan, now 28, organized a book drive for kids.
"She felt for kids that didn’t have books; my daughter Alexis was a charter member of our teen auxiliary Assisteens®, where kids could donate and spend time doing things for their community,” notes Shirley.
Celebrating their 30th anniversary this June, Assistance League is going strong, in large part due to the proceeds generated by their thrift shop on Thousand Oaks Blvd.
“We’re so pleased that we really have a big following there; that really is our largest way of funding programs,” says Shirley. “Our chapter members do such a great job; it is the heart and the soul of the League. Our advisory council is also amazing—Al Adam is a member and a very nice supporter.”
In addition to the Assistance League, Shirley enjoys spending time with family; dining at Tuscany; and supporting local businesses.
“We really try to go to places that are owned and operated by locals,” Shirley says. And while her heart is here—“the people are so friendly; the community is very close-knit”—she envisions a vacation.
“I’d love to travel with my family to Italy and rent a villa somewhere in Tuscany...life gets so busy!”
Nancy Iskander, Mark and Jacob Iskander Foundation Founder
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." —Ecclesiastes 3:11
Nancy Iskander’s faith has been a driving force in her life, helping her deal with the unimaginable grief and loss of her two children, Mark and Jacob.
“I feel when you lose a child (let alone two), it is hard to be 100% happy under any circumstances, however, my faith in Heaven and the beauty of it, makes my soul joyful,” shares Nancy.
She and her husband established the Mark and Jacob Iskander Foundation after their two young boys were fatally hit by a car while crossing the street in Westlake Village.
“We are a unique family; we were given a hard task to fulfill and a purpose,” says Nancy. “Although we are brokenhearted, we continue to support each other’s needs and look out for each other’s hearts like no other family does.”
In addition to her day job as a scientific communications lead at Amgen, Nancy leads the Mark and Jacob Iskander Foundation, which includes a foster care agency recruiting and licensing foster families, supporting an orphanage in Egypt and forging partnerships with local organizations such as Raising Hope and James Storehouse to provide resources to youth in need.
With a heart to help others, Nancy is motivated and fulfilled by her work.
“Joy and peace in the eyes of a young child makes me want to work harder,” she says, adding that she finds fulfillment in “Making my children in Heaven and on Earth proud and inspiring my family and community to turn pain into a blessing and bring life and goodness out of death.”
A Westlake Village resident for 9 years, Nancy says the people are the best thing about the area.
“Conejo Valley is home to some of the most caring and genuine people. The tragedy my family had to live allowed me to see how kind, giving and caring our community is.”
Continuing her efforts to make a difference in the lives of youth in need, Nancy works tirelessly to help yet still feels concerned “that I am not giving back enough.”
“I hope to continue to grow the services and adopt a child from the foster system to grow my family,” she says.
When time allows, Nancy enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, roller skating, learning new languages and (secretly) “I love flamenco!”
Suzanne Walker, Soroptimist International of Conejo Valley President
As president of Soroptimist International of Conejo Valley, Suzanne Walker leads a small but mighty force for good.
“Our club is very small; we’re currently only 15 members. We’ve been in existence for 43 years and most of the women who still belong have been involved for more than 20 years!” shares Suzanne, who joined the organization in 2019 and has served as president since 2022.
Despite their dwindling membership, Conejo Valley’s 10 Soroptimists hosted their annual Margarita Mix Off last September. Participants vote for the “best margarita in the west” while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. Proceeds benefit the organization’s efforts to improve the lives of women and girls by providing education and training to help them achieve economic empowerment, including the Live Your Dream program.
“It is so nice to help these women, who are doing the best they can to raise their children and trying to get an education; most are really struggling to do it themselves,” says Suzanne, noting the Soroptimist’s motto is “working together to make dreams come true.”
“I invite women of all ages to join Soroptimist and be a part of this rewarding experience,” she adds.
Since relocating from Pennsylvania to the Conejo Valley in 2007, Suzanne helped raise her grandchildren before serving the community in various roles: an usher at the Civic Arts Plaza, a member and VP of the Westlake Women’s Club, a volunteer receptionist for Many Mansions, and a participant in the Ventura Sheriff’s Citizen Academy.
“My mother was a nurse, and I do feel the need to help,” says Suzanne.
At 81, she is still very active, taking Jazzercize classes 2-3 days a week, lunching with friends and visiting family.
“I tell them back east, here, ‘it’s like living on an island; you wake up every morning and the sun is shining; there’s flowers, there’s trees... I’ve been very fortunate.”