PCC Women’s Business Center 100 Women Event May 27, 2026 (Photo courtesy of Joy Lam)
On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Pasadena City College’s Women’s Business Center honored 100 Women “Bold Enough to Bloom” at a ceremony on Caltech’s campus. U.S. Bank sponsored the luncheon, which highlighted extraordinary achievements by local businesswomen.
By Melanie Hooks
The non-profit Center aims “to serve entrepreneurs with no cost business technical assistance in the San Gabriel Valley area and beyond by eliminating barriers and creating building blocks to success.” They offer hands-on help for entrepeneurs seeking to set-up and launch their business, as well as development help for marketing and funding.
In recent months, they’ve teamed up with Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media Impact effort and are providing grants for small businesses affected by the 2025 wildfires.
Innovative Business of the Year Award presented to Altadena Energy & Solar, Joy Lam, co-owner (Photo courtesy of Joy Lam)
Altadena Energy & Solar Receives Innovative Business of the Year Award
Among those honored was Joy Lam, Co-Owner and Business Manager of Altadena Energy & Solar, a business hard hit by those events, losing its warehouse as well as Lam’s own personal displacement. After receiving the 2026 Innovative Business of the Year Award, Lam stated she was “honored and humbled” to receive it:
“This recognition feels especially meaningful because innovation, to me, is not just about technology. It’s about resilience, adaptability, and finding ways to continue serving our community during challenging times. Over the past year, my family was displaced by the Eaton Fire, and our company experienced significant losses alongside many of our customers and neighbors. Yet through it all, our team at Altadena Energy & Solar remained committed to helping families rebuild stronger, more resilient homes powered by clean energy. This award belongs to our incredible team, my husband and business partner Hans, our customers, and the Altadena community that continues to inspire us every day.”
Such moments feel like a real win for the community. One hundred women were honored, but their stories are representative of thousands making impacts daily in the San Gabriel Valley. Cheers to all!
Leave a Reply