These two SchlickArt clients and friends have inspired us, and we hope their stories will inspire you, too.
One of the things we love most about our community is its commitment to giving back.
In fact, the people we’ve met here in Santa Clarita are some of the most generous people we know.
They dedicate their time and resources to local charities. They show up for their neighbors in times of need. They support local businesses … and they somehow make it all look easy.
We respect and admire these community-minded clients, and we also feel incredibly lucky to call them friends.
That’s why we wanted to show a little love to two of our dear friends, who were chosen as this year’s Santa Clarita Man and Woman of the Year.
Please join us as we congratulate Brian Koegle and Julie Sturgeon!
Santa Clarita Man of the Year
Brian Koegle
A close friend, loving family man, and fiercely protective attorney, Brian Koegle is a true man of service. With a very full plate, he’s raising three girls alongside his wife, Lindsay, while serving as Partner for the law firm Greenspoon Marder. Yet he’s still found time to serve on multiple nonprofit boards and support numerous local organizations over the past 17 years.
“Brian’s leadership and involvement have paved the way to providing support to our community for decades to come,” according to the College of the Canyons Foundation. “His philanthropic history and volunteer record within Santa Clarita serve as an example that all volunteers and nonprofits can emulate. Brian’s leadership has been nothing short of revolutionary.”
Over the years, Brian has served on the boards of multiple nonprofits, including The Youth Project, HandsOn Santa Clarita, Junior Chamber International Santa Clarita, and his current position as Chair of the Board for the COC Foundation. In addition to his board positions, Brain has also headed up committees, such as the Senior Center’s Celebrity Waiter Dinner Committee, and provided valuable legal counsel to countless organizations such as the SCV Chamber of Commerce.
“Within the last few years, Brian has helped to raise the visibility of SCV Senior Center in the community and continues to ensure the success of our largest fundraiser,” shared the Senior Center. “There is no question that Brian’s commitment to promote quality of life, not just for seniors but also for all residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, makes him the perfect candidate for Man of the Year.”
Whether he’s volunteering as a keynote speaker or chairing an event, Brian’s involvement always makes an impact. Under his leadership, the COC Foundation Board Chair achieved an aggressive $500,000 fundraising goal to support the First-Year Promise scholarship program. Brian also used his expertise and skill as legal counsel to make significant improvements to the college’s policies and procedures, as well as to guide the SCV Chamber through challenging issues and back onto sure footing.
It’s no surprise that Brian was chosen as this year’s Mad of the Year, and we couldn’t be more proud of our client, friend and community leader.
Santa Clarita Woman of the Year
Julie Sturgeon
A dedicated mother, skilled CPA, and savvy nonprofit leader, Julie Sturgeon has spent decades giving back to her community by volunteering her time, expertise and resources to the organizations that capture her heart.
Though Julie raised two children alongside her husband, Steve, while running her own accounting firm, she still made time for volunteer work that made a difference in the lives of her children, as well as the greater community.
Throughout her philanthropic career, Julie has worked with a wide range of schools and organizations that provide support in a multitude of areas, from education and women’s services to business advocacy and cancer research. Much of her work has supported women and children in our valley, and by volunteering her skills as a financial professional, she’s also proven herself to be a vital asset in fundraising efforts for any organization she serves.
Julie has served in leadership roles on boards and committees for over 13 different organizations and nonprofits, and she’s chaired many of our valley’s most iconic events, including Child & Family Center’s Taste of the Town and Michael Hoefflin Foundation’s Evening Under the Stars. Her board positions include College of the Canyons Foundation, SCV Committee on Aging, Rotary Club of Santa Clarita Valley, The Michael Hoefflin Foundation, SCV Theatre Group, Betty Ferguson Foundation, and Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley. She’s also served as a committee leader and audit professional for many others.
“Julie has had a major impact on the SCV Committee on Aging,” the committee shared. “As current Vice President, past Treasurer and an active member of the Executive Committee, she has helped guide the organization through unprecedented growth.”
In addition to her work with local nonprofits, Julie has played an active role in her kids’ schools and extracurriculars, including PTA and Parent Advisory Council (PAC) leadership roles for the Sulphur Springs and William S. Hart High School districts, as well as volunteer work for AYSO as a coach and treasurer.
“Julie started her volunteerism at a young age with Girl Scouts of America and Rotary International; she later jumped into the SCV with two feet, assisting AYSO and the Sulphur Springs School District. Today she continues to provide her expertise in the areas of finance, business acumen and pro-bono assistance to nonprofits.”
And with four grandkids in soccer and dance, her next wave of volunteerism is just getting started. There’s no doubt Julie Sturgeon has earned her spot as Woman of the Year and will continue to make a difference for our community.
Please join us in celebrating these two excellent community members. We hope their work and dedication inspires you to invest your time, treasures and talents into the community we all call home.
About SchlickArt Photography and Video
SchlickArt, a boutique photo and video studio in Santa Clarita, started in March 2012 with the simple idea that empowerment creates a kind of beauty and authenticity that shines through every camera lens. Built on a philosophy — rather than a product, service or person — SchlickArt has rapidly evolved, meeting professional portraiture, business photo and business video needs as diverse as the community we capture. It’s the desire to take care of you, the client, that drives us at SchlickArt.