We all know women who make life special, breaking barriers in business and helping so many in need while forging new ground and pursuing their goals with fearless fortitude. Here, we celebrate a handful of amazing local ladies whose vision and commitment to community serve as a bright light to all.
Rosemary Allison, Estate Director Coldwell Banker
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead
Rosemary’s stellar full-time real estate career in Ventura County spans over 4 decades. During that time, Rosemary has redefined the art of marketing luxury estates combining her unique marketing techniques and negotiating skills to become the leader in Prestige Real Estate sales throughout Ventura County.
Innately understanding the finer points of caring for clients with high net worth, and even higher expectations, Rosemary masterfully unites sellers of the finest homes in Ventura County with quality buyers from across the globe. Rosemary brings each of her exclusive listings to a global audience with discretion, taste and visionary marketing.
Ranked as the No. 1 top-producing realtor by volume of sales with Coldwell Banker in Ventura County, Rosemary was recognized in 2022 by the Daily News Reader Poll and The Los Angeles Daily News as the BEST Realtor in Ventura County. Known for her hard work and generosity. She was designated as the “Woman of the Year” by Assembly District 44’s state legislator. As quoted in a resolution presented by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors: “Rosemary Allison is the yarn that weaves this close-knit community together, setting an example for residents of all ages on how a committed individual can work to change the world for the better.”
Greatest Accomplishment(s): My greatest accomplishment will never be about money; my answer will always be who I raised. As my kids get older and find their own places in the world, I'm fascinated by who they are becoming, by the wonderful charitable things they have been involved in and the imprint they will leave on the world on behalf of our family.
Words of Wisdom: The road to success is always under construction.
Giving Back: For The Troops Gala Chair, 2018-2023; American Cancer Society Gala Chair 2010, 2011 and 2015
Awards & Accolades: Woman of the Year, Real Trends Top 250 individual agent in USA, Volunteer of the Year, Community Gem, Community Leader Award
In Rosemary’s quest to preserve and increase home values, she is very involved in local issues and serves as an elected member of the Municipal Advisory Council. In recognition of her community service, she received the esteemed Conejo Valley Board of REALTORS® Community Service of the Year award.
Future Goals: I measure my success one family at a time—I will continue my efforts to ensure the financial success of my clients.
Inspiration: We are constantly investing in the world we share, going to great lengths to make things better, it’s not a business obligation, it is a family one. Family inspires me.
R&R: Enjoying time with my children and grandchildren throughout the year and holidays, our annual family and friend trip to Cabo San Lucas, and quality time with close friends.
CallRosemary.com
Beth Hill-Kin, Public Health Nurse & Clinical Supervisor at Mission Hospice Ventura County
“Take your passion and make it happen.”
“Be astonishing.”
Beth has been a nurse for 46 years, specializing in oncology nursing and hospice and working in hospitals, home health, private practice and for Amgen Inc. (15 years). In 1981, when she and fellow nurse Marty Nason sought to combine their expertise and start a support group for cancer patients, they met with Harold Benjamin at the Wellness Community in Santa Monica, who offered them an opportunity to open a Wellness Community in Conejo Valley, which today is known as the Cancer Support Community Valley Ventura Santa Barbara.
“We gathered the support of doctors and local community leaders and raised $200,000 to get our own Charter. To able to create this legacy for cancer patients has been amazing!” says Beth. “Becoming a cancer survivor myself added more meaning to the opening of this wonder ‘club for cancer patients.’ Only another cancer patient understands what it is like to go through this process.”
Greatest Accomplishment(s): Teaching nurses how to care for the dying; my two daughters, Katia and Samantha; and opening the Wellness Community (now Cancer Support Community Valley Ventura Santa Barbara).
Greatest Lesson: Be who you are called to be. If you are doing what makes your heart sing, you are in the right place.
Words of Wisdom: Listen to and discern the needs of people. Be who you are meant to be in the world.
Giving Back: Founded CSC; church volunteer, singing and teaching
Future Goals: Participating in CSC events and helping to guide the organization acting as a Board member.
Inspiration: Cancer patients, my breast cancer survivor’s group, and my daughters
R&R: I am a cantor at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Westlake Village. Music keeps me going!!
Jill Haney, Montecito Bank & Trust Westlake Village Office VP/Branch Manager
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
—Jane Goodall
Jill moved to the Conejo Valley in 1959 and never left. She attended local schools and Moorpark College with the plan to go into nursing and become an RN. During that time, she was hired as a bank teller.
“I thought that it would be temporary, but 44 years later I am still a banker and I love it!” says Jill. “I have worked in many different positions in the bank industry and have been a branch manager for 30 years.”
Greatest Accomplishment(s): I am most proud of my son and my four grandchildren. They are the light of my life and my biggest accomplishment.
Greatest Lesson: Do not put off the things that are important, like spending time with your children, family and friends.
Words of Wisdom: Watch and learn from the people you admire. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Work hard. Be kind.
Giving Back:
- Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Board member/Chair Emeritus
- Greater Conejo Valley Community Foundation Board Chair
- Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Board member
- Moorpark College Foundation Board Chair
- Adventist Health Simi Valley Hospital Governing Board member
- Free Clinic of Simi Valley Board member/Immediate Past President
- Rotary Club of Simi Sunset Board member
- Simi Sunset Rotary Foundation Board member
- United Way of Ventura County Board member
Awards & Accolades:
- MT Michael Towbes Do the Right Thing Outstanding Community Service Award
- Simi Sunset Rotary Rotarian of the Year
- United Way’s Milton M. Teague Outstanding Community Volunteerism Award
- Strathearn Lifetime Achievement Award
- Community Foundation Humanitarian Award
- Simi Valley Chamber Chairmans Award
Future Goals: At some point I plan on retiring. I have a list of places that I would like to visit someday and a list of seminars I would like to attend. I also think that I would like to go back to school.
Inspiration: My inspiration is my parents. Growing up, my parents did everything to make our life special. They took us on camping trips, coached our teams, went to all of our games and were there when we really needed them. They didn’t give us things as much as they gave us their time, support and love.
R&R: I love to spend time with my grandkids and my family. I also love to read, bake and watch movies and sports—NASCAR is one of my favorite sports to watch. I have a wonderful group of friends that I enjoy socializing with no matter what we decide to do.
Terri Hilliard Olson, Attorney, Mediator, Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Accredited Estate Planner, Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer
Terri’s practice centers on advanced estate and business succession and exit planning, asset preservation, special needs trusts and family protection planning for seniors and others. With offices in Westlake Village, Burbank, Santa Barbara and San Diego, Terri has built her law practice through referrals and her pillars of success: truth, justice, honor and character. Mediation and advisory service are at the core of her expertise, and she resolves issues with respect, dignity and a humanistic approach.
As an attorney and private mediator, Terri helps families, elders, individuals and businesses resolve disputes through family meetings and mediation. Her firm educates families on the options in locating quality nursing home and assisted-living resources, including strategies for how to pay for long-term care. Terri offers competence, professionalism, genuine caring and compassion to all of her clients as she assists them in navigating the important matters that must be taken care of during every step of their lives.
A skilled public speaker and author of three books on dementia and Alzheimer’s, Terri’s work aims to help caregivers and their loved ones navigate the legal, financial and psychological maze of health and care options. She also gives considerable time and expertise to many charitable organizations.
Greatest accomplishment(s): Being a mom of four accomplished daughters; founding a law firm that serves the community and honors family’s differences in needs and abilities.
Greatest Lesson: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Giving Back:
- District 6 Governor, California Women Lawyers
- Founding member, National Alliance of Attorneys for Alzheimer’s Planning
- Founding committee member, Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative, Ventura County Chapter
- Vice president, PAUSE4kids
- Board member and Legal Concerns pro bono attorney, Senior Concerns
- Member, Wealth Counsel and Elder Counsel
- Advisory Board member, Fresno State’s Craig School of Business Institute for Family Business
Words of Wisdom: Follow the words of Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Awards & Accolades:
- Leading attorney, The Pacific Coast Business Times, “Who’s Who in Professional Services”
- Attorney of the Year and Top 200 most influential people in light of her contributions as an attorney, mediator, elder care advocate and active community volunteer, The San Fernando Valley Business Journal
- Woman of Influence, Los Angeles Business Journal
- Conejo Valley Estate Planning Council Accredited Estate Planner Designation
Inspiration: My late father, Hal, inspired me to always be kind, thoughtful, helpful in business and at home and to make our path loving and inclusive to all. Good follows good.
R&R: I just returned from a little retreat to Lummi Island, Washington, with some gal friends. The quiet, scenic beauty and the eagles inspire and heal our spirit.
TerriHilliard.com
Marty Nason, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cancer Support Community Co-Founder
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Described as a visionary, leader, mentor, teacher, change agent and tenacious and compassionate citizen of the world, Marty is a semi-retired clinical nurse specialist in psychiatry and mental health who has helped cancer patients and their families through a bio-psychosocial model of care for more than 30 years.
“It is not work for me—it feeds my soul,” says Marty, who co-founded the Cancer Support Community Valley Ventura Santa Barbara, served as executive director and vice president of programs and continues to facilitate weekly support groups.
Born and raised in Southern California to teacher parents who believed in giving back and service, Marty obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at UCLA. In 1981, she partnered with oncology nurse Beth Kin to establish the Cancer Support Community in response to an urgent need for psychosocial support and education for patients and families living with cancer.
Marty recalls the early days of visiting the Wellness Community in Santa Monica. During newcomer orientation, “People walked in—we could feel their fear. A man with a brain tumor introduced himself… he had been given 6 months to live—10 years ago! He proceeded to tell us about the Wellness Community, the programs and services offered. Halfway through the meeting people started to relax, and by the end, they were laughing and hugging one another. In my work and research at UCLA, I never saw a more powerful intervention for hope. I am still in awe of the magic of a cancer patient meeting a surviving cancer patient! The power of community.”
Marty and Beth recognized the value of creating a community where members could support each other, while learning to improve health and well-being together, using a whole person focus and state-of-the-art application of psychoneuroimmunology and integration of Eastern and Western medicine. Today, CSC’s programs serve 3,200+ individuals annually, in English and Spanish, at no charge.
Greatest Accomplishment(s):
- Raising a family of loving, caring children (2) and grandchildren (4)
- Co-founding and serving as executive director of the Cancer Support Community
- Advocating for fathers’ presence at Cesarean childbirth; publishing Father-Attended Cesarean Childbirth: A Couple’s Guide to Decision and Preparation
- Opening UCLA Hospital’s first Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
- Working in a Swiss County hospital
- Teaching nursing in community college and Veterans Administration Sepulveda
Greatest Lesson: Spending time with your family is precious; always make time for it.
Words of Wisdom: Success is when preparation meets opportunity. Get the necessary knowledge and skills needed for what you want to achieve. Surround yourself with positive people. Believe in yourself and the power of your thoughts and dreams.
Giving Back: Fundraising, local outreach and planning programs for CSC.
Awards:
- UCLA Distinguished Nursing Alumni
- Lifetime Achievement Award, CSC
- Celebration of Hope, CSC
- Woman of the Year, Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Citizen of the Year, Conejo Future Foundation
Future Goals: Be present; practice healthy mind, body and spirit techniques; and continue to be engaged with CSC.
Inspiration: Watching people transition from frightened victims to empowered victors with help from the CSC philosophy; their courage is so inspiring.
The daily miracle of the continuation and sustaining of the CSC by hundreds of volunteers, community leaders and donors; the dedicated, expert clinical staff; and leadership provided by the Board of Directors and administrative staff.
R&R: Cooking and trying new recipes, being with family, Toastmasters, watercolor painting, gardening and traveling.
