photo of colorful flowers with - Visionary Women's Afternoon Tea

Visionary Women's Afternoon Tea

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

The London West Hollywood • 3:30 – 5:30PM

Visionary Women's Afternoon Tea Raises Record $207,000

On Wednesday, March 11th, Alzheimer's Los Angeles hosted the 2026 Visionary Women's Afternoon Tea on the rooftop deck of the London West Hollywood, and the results were nothing short of remarkable. The event raised a record-breaking $207,000 in support of the life-changing programs and services offered by Alzheimer's Los Angeles.

Now in its tenth year, this annual event shines a light on an urgent reality: Alzheimer's and other dementias disproportionately affect women, both as those diagnosed and as caregivers. Held during Women's History Month, the event has grown into a beloved annual tradition: adapted as a virtual tea during the pandemic and returned to an in-person tea service in 2023.

This year's honorees were Alzheimer's researcher and Alzheimer's LA Board member Dr. Helena Chui, caregiver Gina Garcia Gancedo, and Alzheimer's LA's Director of Clinical Services Zina Paris. Actress Lena Bouton served as host, sharing her own personal experiences supporting a grandmother through the challenges of memory loss.

The event would not be possible without the dedication of the Visionary Women's Committee, led this year by Deb Kurtz alongside Beth Devermont, Randi Jones, Susan Levin, Monica Moore, Linda Thieben, Cindy Terakawa, and Caprice Collins. We are also deeply grateful to our generous sponsors, many of whom donated their tickets so that caregivers can enjoy a delectable afternoon of celebration and community.

  • View photos from the 2026 Visionary Women’s Afternoon Tea on Facebook

HOSTED BY

Actor, producer and writer Lena Bouton

Lena Bouton

Lena Bouton was born in Daytona Beach, Florida and grew up throughout Central Florida.  At a very young age, she was aware of her talent and passion for acting. While pursuing her acting career, she worked in production and then was a talent and casting producer in Orlando.  After moving to Los Angeles in her early twenties, she has worked as an actor, producer and writer. In her early thirties, she listened to a quiet whisper and began to prioritize her consciousness, health and healing which eventually led her to complete a Masters program in Spiritual Psychology.  She has been very generous with her gifts and often works with people who are looking to heal and grow. She is an avid tennis player, a ferocious mother of cats, and an advocate for our planet.  Today, she finds herself happier and healthier than ever.  She is grateful for her courage to follow her own unique path and feels excited about what magic is yet to come.

Connie Lee Keiter Breaking Boundaries Award

Helena Chui

Helena Chui

Board Member, Alzheimer's Los Angeles & the Raymond and Betty McCarron Professor of Neurology at the Keck School of Medicine

Dr. Chui is the Raymond and Betty McCarron Professor of Neurology at the Keck School of Medicine. She has served as Chair of the Department of Neurology and Director of the USC Alzheimer Disease Research Center since 2003. Dr. Chui earned her B.A. in Chemistry and M.D. at Johns Hopkins University. She completed her residency training in neurology and fellowship in behavioral neurology at the University of Iowa in 1981.

Dr. Chui is internationally recognized for her research in Alzheimer disease and vascular cognitive impairment. She is the author of more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and 40 book chapters/review articles. She is currently funded by the National Institutes on Aging for studies of neurovascular health, using physiological measures of vasoreactivity, stiffness, pulsatility, and morphological characteristics of the cerebrovascular tree.

Caring Hearts Award

Gina Garcia Gancedo

Gina Garcia Gancedo

Gina Garcia Gancedo

Caregiver

After graduating from culinary school in 2001, I honed my skills in professional kitchens. I have enjoyed specializing in creating delicious and healthy dishes. In 2018 when my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I took the role as his primary caregiver while continuing to work as a chef. Motivated to help my father to improve his quality of life, I researched diet and nutrition to fit his health needs. Today, I share my knowledge by teaching cooking classes for the Salud Pa Ti wellness program held at Plaza de la Raza.

Judy Wunsch Heart of Service Award

Zina Paris

Zina Paris

Zina Paris

Senior Director of Clinical Services, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles

Zina Paris is the Senior Director of Clinical Services at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. In her role at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, Zina manages and supervises the Care Counseling team, whose social workers provide support, guidance and resources to the family members and friends caring for a person with dementia, as well as the ALZLA Helpline, where community members, caregivers, professionals and those concerned about their own memory can find answers to questions. In addition, Zina oversees the Early-Stage program and our Support & Activity groups. She also works directly with families, providing clinical services, education, and crisis intervention. She has previously worked in the field of hospice care and bereavement and has experience with the aging population, facilitating support groups, providing community education, and developing programs as well as providing supervision and training for volunteers and professionals. Zina is an advocate for caregivers and committed to helping people better understand Alzheimer's disease and the related dementias.

Visionary Women 2026 Planning Committee

We extend our gratitude to the dedicated committee members who have played a pivotal role in making this event possible. Their passion and commitment drive our collective mission forward.

Deb Kurtz, Chair
Beth Devermont
Caprice Collins
Randi Jones
Susie Levin
Monica Moore
Cindy Terakawa
Linda Thieben

We thank our 2026 sponsors

Bob Henderson

Susan Disney Lord

Alfred E. Mann Charities

Dr. Helena Chui

Randi & Richard Jones

Deloitte logo

Erwin Rautenberg Foundation

Linda Thieben

Acadia Pharmaceuticals logo
Brightside Referrals logo
Collins Law Group logo

David Friedman

Gently Guided logo
Moss & Company Property Management logo

Cindy Terakawa

Debra Aarens & Marc Aarens

Susan Carr

Choosing Joy - A podcast hosted by Deborah Joy Winans

on behalf of the Links, Inc.

Continuity Care Home Nursing

Cindy Feder

Jane Flynn

Chris & Gahli Kiyohara

Amy Lange

Janet Morris, Esq.

Debbie Powell

Vicki Saugstad

Jorge & Kristen Valladares

Welbrook Memory Care logo

Photos from 2025 Visionary Women's Afternoon Tea

More photos can be found on our Facebook page.

Funds raised from this event support Alzheimer’s Los Angeles’ critical education and support programs that provide much needed care for caregivers facing the enormous challenges of caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.