About Us

Our President

President Sara Edwards, 2024-2025

Sara Edwards is a California native, born and raised in San Marino. She attended Valentine and Huntington schools, along with San Marino High where she was recently inducted into the alumni Hall of Fame for her excellence in Broadcasting. Sara is a three time Emmy award winner for her producing and on-air reporting talents in Boston. After graduating from UCLA in 1974 where she majored in Communications, she started her career in television news in Las Vegas, Nevada on KLAS TV as their first female news reporter. She was later hired in Boston, Massachusetts, to be a life style reporter for WBZ TV. After a decade there, she served as a film critic and entertainment reporter at WHDH TV for 12 years. Her film reviews were also aired on 200 NBC affiliates around the country. Sara spent a total of 27 years in Boston. She was thrilled to later be inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2018.

Now retired, and happy to be back home in Southern California, she is excited to be the current President of Pasadena Beautiful. She is an active part of the groups numerous projects to refresh and nurture Pasadena’s public green spaces and tree canopy.

2024-2025 Officers

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  Greg King

  Immediate Past President

  Greg King was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from San Marino High School and majored in Political Science at Colorado College. Greg spent the last 20+ years owning and operating a manufacturing concern in Bell Gardens, California. He is a SCORE Certified Mentor helping small business owners or would be entrepreneurs navigate the reefs and shoals of business operations and ownership.

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  Brad Hanson

  Brad Hanson grew up in Hillsborough, CA, and went to The Thacher School in Ojai, CA, for high school. 

  His undergraduate degree was a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish Literature at UC Berkeley.  He received his M.B.A. from UC Los Angeles.  

  Upon graduating from UC Berkeley, Brad went to work for what became Franklin Templeton Investments.  During his professional career at Franklin Templeton he became a Senior Vice President and National Director of Sales for the Separate Account Division. 

  He has been involved in several non-profit organizations including  board member of Hillsides School for Children, The Thacher School, The USC Pacific Asia Museum, The Aids Service Center, and The Pasadena Beautiful Foundation. 

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  Suzi Miller

  Vice President

  Suzi Miller was born in Salt Lake City, moved to San Francisco, worked for Xerox Corp, moved to L.A. Became a board member at the Arboretum, Pasadena Humane Society was another interest along with other gardening groups in Pasadena. 

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  John Poer

  Treasurer

  John Poer was born in Los Angeles. Raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. Came to California after high school and attended Claremont McKenna College. Became a manufacturer of women’s and girl’s sportswear in Los Angeles, and then spent fourteen years in residential real estate in the San Gabriel Valley.  Former board member and board chairman of Hillsides Home in Pasadena. Currently a board member of “Youth Moving On”, a part of Hillsides.  Board member of Pasadena Beautiful Foundation for the past thirteen years, and currently serving as treasurer. 

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  Chuck Livingstone

  Membership Chair

  Chuck Livingstone grew up in San Marino, CA and attended San Marino schools through High School.  His undergraduate degree was a dual degree(s) BA/BS in Economics and Psychology at California Western University. He received Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 1964-1965 for outstanding academics and extracurricular activities. He received his MBA from University of Colorado in Bank Management. 

  Upon graduating, he went to work for Bank of America, which became a 30-year banking career, not always with the same bank, however. 

  He has been involved in several non-profit organizations including Pasadena Museum of History, President of Madison Heights Neighborhood Association, The Aids Service Center, President of the Pasadena Wine & Food Society, and President of Pasadena Beautiful Foundation. 

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  Susan Osen

  Communications

  Susan grew up in San Francisco. Attended the Santa Catalina School, in Monterey and is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.  She worked in the insurance industry in San Francisco, before moving to Pasadena in 1984. Susan has taught literacy programs, been active in many local school and service organizations, and served on boards of directors for several nonprofits.  She has an extensive background in communication, fundraising, volunteering, and community outreach. In addition to her work with Pasadena Beautiful, she is committed to exploring solutions for housing and homelessness.

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  Patricia Lyon

  Secretary

  A fifth generation Californian, Pat grew up in Los Angeles, where she received gardening genes from her father and her grandmothers.  After graduating from the University of Denver, she embarked on a career in travel for the next 38 years.  She has explored the four corners of the earth, including All seven continents.  She is a lifelong Francophile and history buff.  After retiring from corporate travel she eagerly joined Pasadena Beautiful and is the Secretary.   She is a regular at Wednesday Weeders as well as active in various projects. 

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  Priscilla Gibbs

  Bio coming soon.

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  Joan Aarestad

  Sustainability Chair

  Bio coming soon.

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  Emina Darakjy

  Chair, Tree Program

  Photo and bio coming soon.