Former Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to Keynote Century City Chamber of Commerce’s 41st Annual Citizen of the Year Awards
Fairmont Century Plaza, California Rehabilitation Institute, Anderson Real Estate, Nancy Sher Cohen and Travis Jeffries to be honored November 18, 2026; FOX 11's Christine Devine to emcee
LOS ANGELES, October 26, 2026--The Century City Chamber of Commerce will recognize five honorees whose leadership, innovation, and service have helped shape one of Los Angeles' most influential business communities at its 41st annual Citizen of the Year Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.
The annual celebration will bring together hundreds of business and community leaders to celebrate the people and entities whose contributions continue to strengthen Century City's position as a premier business hub and home to one of the nation's largest concentrations of law, finance, and talent-representation firms.
Former second gentleman of the United States and longtime Century City attorney Douglas Emhoff, currently a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, will deliver the keynote address. Emhoff has deep ties to Century City's legal community, having previously practiced at DLA Piper and established Venable's Century City office. Christine Devine, 16-time Emmy Award-winning FOX 11 Los Angeles news anchor and longtime community advocate, will serve as emcee. A fixture in Southern California journalism for more than 35 years, Devine is widely recognized for her work on behalf of children in foster care, including more than two decades hosting FOX 11's "Wednesday's Child" adoption segment, and is an Emmy Governors Award recipient from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2011. She is also a past recipient of the Century City Chamber of Commerce's Woman of Achievement Award.
"This year's honorees tell the story of Century City in a single afternoon," said Nancy Wood, president and CEO of the Century City Chamber of Commerce. "A landmark hotel celebrating 60 years, two of our original office towers reimagined for the future, a rehabilitation hospital that has changed thousands of lives in its first decade, a pioneering attorney who broke barriers for women in law, and an emerging leader already giving back. That range is what makes this community so special."
The 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards will recognize the following honorees:
Lifetime Achievement Award – Nancy Sher Cohen, Senior Counsel, Lathrop GPM LLP: Recognized for her decades of professional excellence, distinguished legal career, longstanding service to nonprofit organizations, and pioneering leadership as a trailblazer for women in law, leaving a lasting impact on Century City and the broader Los Angeles legal community.
Visionary Award – Anderson Real Estate: Honored for its transformative exterior revitalization of 1800 and 1900 Avenue of the Stars, two of Century City's oldest commercial office buildings. Originally constructed in the 1960s, the properties have undergone extensive enhancements that reflect a forward-thinking commitment to innovation and revitalization, preserving their architectural heritage while helping shape the future of Century City's business landscape. Barrett Stone, General Manager, will accept the award.
Legacy Award – Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel: Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, the iconic Century Plaza Hotel will be recognized for six decades of hospitality, civic engagement, and economic impact within the community. From its beginnings as an architectural landmark to its enduring role as a destination for charitable events, business gatherings, and community celebrations, the hotel has remained a cornerstone of Century City's identity and growth. General Manager Hiren Prabhakar will accept the award.
Corporate Award – California Rehabilitation Institute and California Rehabilitation Foundation: Honored in celebration of its 10th anniversary and a decade of exceptional patient care and community service. Established in 2016 as a joint venture between Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, and Select Medical, the 138-bed California Rehabilitation Institute has grown into the largest acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital on the West Coast. Through its affiliated Foundation, the organization extends its impact beyond clinical care, helping patients overcome financial barriers to recovery by providing access to adaptive equipment, home modifications, and essential therapies. California Rehabilitation Institute CEO Michelle Sullivan will accept the award.
Emerging Leader Award – Travis C. Jeffries, Senior Counsel, Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP: Recognized for his professional excellence, leadership within Century City's legal community, and dedication to public service. As Co-Chair of the Chamber's Business, Entertainment & Law Council, Jeffries has demonstrated a commitment to fostering meaningful professional connections and advancing the continued growth and success of the Century City community.