The Women in Business Council of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce announces the four honorees of the 2017 Women In Business Awards that will be presented October 26 at a luncheon at the Doubletree by Hilton LA Westside. Akasha Richmond, owner and Innovator Honoree of Akasha Restaurant, Bakery and Bar as well as the new AR Cucina, Italian restaurant was an early innovator in downtown Culver City along with her business partner and husband Alan Shulman. Akasha, a well-known chef prior to opening her first restaurant In Culver City, has brought her creative, innovative style of cooking to Culver City alongside a creative atmosphere of dining. Akasha’s 10 years in DTCC has made Culver City a destination for dining known throughout Los Angeles County. Her support for sustainable foods, teaching and planting a herb garden at local schools has set Akasha as a leader and founder of local sustainability. Patricia Patti Rhee, the Visionary Honoree is the only female partner in Ehrlich, Yanai, Rhee and Chaney Architects. One of her most notable design projects is the John M. Roll United States Courthouse in Yuma, Arizona that is designed to process mass immigration defendants and be a timeless piece of architecture that fits into its context. The project won a Design Build Institute of America Team Award Project and a GSA Design Excellence award. Patti’s personal passion is to mentor and support women in architecture. She also gives many hours to the Chamber’s Next 100 Years Committee in advancing Culver City’s Image as advancing cutting image of professionals. Maya Mallick, owner of The Culver Hotel, the Trailblazer Honoree, bought this old hotel and has turned it into The Culver Hotel, with a reputation for old world charm and taste.The Culver Hotel set standards for other businesses and boutique hotels to follow through her trailblazing ideas of turning an old 80-year hotel into a destination for the Westside.

Maya’s thoughtfulness, involvement in Linwood E. Howe Elementary School with time and resources has made The Culver Hotel an important part of downtown Culver City. Britta Ericksson, the Founder Honoree, of Euro VAT Refund Inc. started the company in 1992, Euro VAT is a financial services firm assisting U. S. companies with Value Added Tax management, registration and refunds when doing business abroad. Through Britta’s leadership they assist U.S. companies in recovering and avoiding $50 million a year in VAT expenses. This service of Euro VAT of saving $50 million equates to 1000 jobs in the United States. Britta, a Culver City resident has served on Lin Howe Site Council, trustee on the Culver City Education Foundation, served on several parent groups at the Mirman School and Loyola high school. She is currently serving Valley International Trade Association. The Awards luncheon is set for October 26 at the Doubletree by Hilton LA Westside. Tickets and sponsorships maybe arrange at the Chamber’s website culvercitychamber.com.