Past Pinnacle Award Winners
2007
Educator of the Year Award
Jeanne Ferrante, Ph.D.
UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering, Professor & Associate Dean
Jeanne Ferrante is an extraordinary role model and a research pioneer, as evidenced by her prestigious ACM Programming Languages Achievement Award, IBM Outstanding Innovation Award, and as IEEE and ACM Fellow. These recognitions, and her encouragement, provide enormous inspiration to young women. Dr. Ferrante founded Teams In Engineering Service, an academic program that partners multidisciplinary teams of undergraduates with San Diego non-profits. Dr. Ferrante is extremely active in promoting women's interest and success in college level science.
As Computer Science Professor, she co-founded and advises the UCSD Women in Computing group. Her recent class, Women In Computing, involved participation in the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women In Computing, providing experience and encouragement. She brought MentorNet to UCSD, an electronic mentoring system that has been especially attractive to women students. Her recent $1.2M NSF grant will help launch an Environmental Education Initiative to inspire and encourage middle school girls in science and engineering careers, and will reach over 20,000 middle school students. She founded the UCSD Women's Leadership Alliance, which promotes leadership development and recognition of women campus leaders. For her efforts, she was recognized as UCSD Community Champion for Diversity in 2004.
As Computer Science Professor, she co-founded and advises the UCSD Women in Computing group. Her recent class, Women In Computing, involved participation in the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women In Computing, providing experience and encouragement. She brought MentorNet to UCSD, an electronic mentoring system that has been especially attractive to women students. Her recent $1.2M NSF grant will help launch an Environmental Education Initiative to inspire and encourage middle school girls in science and engineering careers, and will reach over 20,000 middle school students. She founded the UCSD Women's Leadership Alliance, which promotes leadership development and recognition of women campus leaders. For her efforts, she was recognized as UCSD Community Champion for Diversity in 2004.
Individual Technology Award
Karin Eastham, MBA, CPA
The Burnham Institute for Medical Research, Exec. VP and Chief Operating Officer
Throughout her career, Karin Eastham has been passionate about mentoring women of all ranks, helping them to understand and exploit the full potential of their positions. The result is the advancement, empowerment, and creation of a workplace culture where women help women. Since joining the Burnham Institute in 2004, Karin has recruited women to the roles of CFO and VP of Business Development, and has promoted one woman to Vice President and one to Controller. She continues to support the women on her team by involving them in high visibility projects, encouraging them to participate in community networking and professional development activities and empowering them in their daily work activities.
Karin was invited to join the Burnham to help lead the Institute into a new phase of growth. Within months, she optimized the administrative functions and created a new business development position. Karin took the lead in generating over $350 million in new Florida State funding and is now executing a plan to build a bi-coastal operation. Karin has also taken a leadership role in the creation of the San Diego Stem Cell Consortium and is actively involved in shaping the funding rules for Prop 71 research funding.
In the role of CFO, Karin contributed to the growth of two start-up biotechnology companies (CombiChem and Diversa) and took both public. The success of these companies stands as testament to Karin's ability as a strategic and tactical leader. She now applies her biotechnology experience to the public boards she serves on, which include Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Illumina, Inc., Tercica, Inc. and the Burnham Institute. She also serves on the board of biotechnology companies Cyntellect, Inc. and SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Karin was invited to join the Burnham to help lead the Institute into a new phase of growth. Within months, she optimized the administrative functions and created a new business development position. Karin took the lead in generating over $350 million in new Florida State funding and is now executing a plan to build a bi-coastal operation. Karin has also taken a leadership role in the creation of the San Diego Stem Cell Consortium and is actively involved in shaping the funding rules for Prop 71 research funding.
In the role of CFO, Karin contributed to the growth of two start-up biotechnology companies (CombiChem and Diversa) and took both public. The success of these companies stands as testament to Karin's ability as a strategic and tactical leader. She now applies her biotechnology experience to the public boards she serves on, which include Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Illumina, Inc., Tercica, Inc. and the Burnham Institute. She also serves on the board of biotechnology companies Cyntellect, Inc. and SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Individual in Services Award
Lynne Friedmann, B.A.
Friedmann Communications
Lynne Friedmann is a living legend within the Association for Women in Science (AWIS), where she has worked tirelessly the past 20 years to promote the advancement of women. A seasoned PR professional and science writer, Lynne's leadership and communication abilities have put AWIS on the map. Through innovative programs and calculated risk taking, Lynne has enabled AWIS to grow and flourish - making the AWIS San Diego Chapter the largest and most financially sound of any AWIS chapter. The result is higher awareness and recognition for women in science and coalition building that is addressing workforce issues affecting both women and men.
Lynne is a builder of organizations that last. She established the highly successful AWIS Women in BioScience (WIB) conference series that 14 years later continues to draw sold-out audiences. Many women credit the leadership skills learned on the WIB committee as their springboard for advancement in their professional careers. Lynne has also contributed greatly to Athena as a founding Board Member, as the first communications chair and in the creation and launch of the FEW program.
An award-winning science-communications professional, Lynne is nurturing the next generation of professionals as a program advisor to UCSD Extension where she helped create certificate programs in Technical Communications and Clinical Trials Design & Management.
Lynne is a builder of organizations that last. She established the highly successful AWIS Women in BioScience (WIB) conference series that 14 years later continues to draw sold-out audiences. Many women credit the leadership skills learned on the WIB committee as their springboard for advancement in their professional careers. Lynne has also contributed greatly to Athena as a founding Board Member, as the first communications chair and in the creation and launch of the FEW program.
An award-winning science-communications professional, Lynne is nurturing the next generation of professionals as a program advisor to UCSD Extension where she helped create certificate programs in Technical Communications and Clinical Trials Design & Management.
Corporation Award
AMN Healthcare, Inc.
As recognized for strong company culture, AMN Healthcare provides innovative employee development programs and significant advancement opportunities for women. AMN President and CEO Susan Nowakowski, has spearheaded organization-wide incentives that have greatly contributed to the professional growth and development of female associates, including programs such as career pathing, peer advisors, and employee recognitions and surveys. AMN has launched additional opportunities for women including the AMN Cares volunteer program, monthly roundtable meetings with employees and the President and Financial Assistance for Job Development Program.
Active in the philanthropy community with many causes, AMN sponsors the Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for a Cure and the American Heart Association Go Red for Women. Internationally, AMN provides clinical professionals for Thousand Smiles, a non-profit organization focused on care of the less fortunate children in Mexico who suffer from lack of dental care and from maxillo-facial deformities such as cleft palate by sponsoring clinical professionals. AMN is committed to educating its female associates through supplemental newsletters relevant to women’s healthcare issues and trends.
AMN’s dedication to empowering women professionally and furthering internal advancement is demonstrated in the 61% of senior leadership positions of Vice President and above and 69% of middle managers to directors are held by women. In the past several years there has been a significant increase in the number of women promoted and hired to key leadership positions where they contribute to critical areas of AMN Healthcare including sales, finance and operations.
Active in the philanthropy community with many causes, AMN sponsors the Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for a Cure and the American Heart Association Go Red for Women. Internationally, AMN provides clinical professionals for Thousand Smiles, a non-profit organization focused on care of the less fortunate children in Mexico who suffer from lack of dental care and from maxillo-facial deformities such as cleft palate by sponsoring clinical professionals. AMN is committed to educating its female associates through supplemental newsletters relevant to women’s healthcare issues and trends.
AMN’s dedication to empowering women professionally and furthering internal advancement is demonstrated in the 61% of senior leadership positions of Vice President and above and 69% of middle managers to directors are held by women. In the past several years there has been a significant increase in the number of women promoted and hired to key leadership positions where they contribute to critical areas of AMN Healthcare including sales, finance and operations.
2006
Educator Pinnacle Award
Theresa Gilly, MS
High Tech High School, Senior Teacher
For the past five years, Teresa Gilly has motivated female students to pursue careers in science. She stands as a role model and mentor who inspires her students to dream, to grow and to know no boundaries in their quest to be scientists. She successfully integrates the best of all disciplines into her project-based classroom. Students receive firsthand research experience.
Her students have obtained a breadth of experience studying gas laws, studying plankton and marine turtles while living for two months in Mexico, designing and building two Human Powered Submarines for which they won first place in a submarine competition, creating anti-drug public service announcements, producing a one hour documentary entitled "Our Oceans in Peril," and investigating the use of genetically modified foods around the world. She believes that real world projects are important for motivating students toward success. She is going to move on to serve in a new role as the Director of High Tech Nigh Environmental where she hopes to continue her work developing project-based curriculum that will improve the educational opportunities for students.
Her students have obtained a breadth of experience studying gas laws, studying plankton and marine turtles while living for two months in Mexico, designing and building two Human Powered Submarines for which they won first place in a submarine competition, creating anti-drug public service announcements, producing a one hour documentary entitled "Our Oceans in Peril," and investigating the use of genetically modified foods around the world. She believes that real world projects are important for motivating students toward success. She is going to move on to serve in a new role as the Director of High Tech Nigh Environmental where she hopes to continue her work developing project-based curriculum that will improve the educational opportunities for students.
Individual Pinnacle Award - Technology
Individual Pinnacle Award - Technology
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, President & CEO
Throughout her career, Ginger Graham has invested her time and energy in the professional development of women. She was a driving force in the formation and development of Guidant's Reaches Out to Women (GROW), an internal organization that mentored 5,000 women. The workforce at Amylin is composed of over 50% women. Graham makes a point of knowing employees at all levels and takes advantage of every opportunity to coach, whether she is speaking with the Athena Bioscience women, the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association or on an individual basis. Her professional standards and her willingness to provide honest and candid feedback in an environment that fosters personal growth have changed the lives of countless women. Graham was honored by MedAd News as a Top Female Executive of 2006.
Individual Pinnacle Award - Service
Vicky Carlson
Office Pavillion, CEO-Owner
Vicky Carlson's career is a story of accomplishment and success. Starting as a receptionist in the late 1980s, she worked her way up to being the boss when she purchased Office Pavilion in 1994. Out of 46 employees, 26 are women. Half of the six-person senior management team is women. She insures all women at the company have access to continuing education and other opportunities that foster their professional growth. She has been an inspirational leader in her business, in her industry and in the community, serving as a role model to young women. She was the first woman elected to head the National Dealers Alliance, the membership organization for Herman Miller distributors in the nation.
Corporate Pinnacle Award
Althea Technologies
Althea Technologies was founded to develop revolutionary treatments to fight disease. Its success has been directly related to the innovative people hired by Althea, including a large number of women scientists. The goal of uplifting women in traditionally male dominated industry begins with Magda Marquet, co-founder. Althea also sponsors numerous events that assist women in breaking into science. Women hold 80% of direct level positions with the company. Under the leadership of Co-CEO Magda Marquet, women represent 65% of total employees and a higher percentage of manager/director level positions are held by women. Senior level women are in charge of critical areas of Althea's business, including finance, manufacturing, QC, testing services and regulatory. Althea's success is directly related to the leadership of these women.
2005
Magda Marquet, Ph.D.
Althea Technologies, Inc., Co-President & Co-Chief
Executive Officer
Ten years after moving to the United States, Magda Marquet co-founded Althea Technologies with the mission of creating safer and better drugs by providing contract services and innovative technologies to the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. At Althea women represent 60% of total employees and more manager and director-level positions are held by women than men. In 2005, Althea received the Best Companies to Work For from the San Diego Business Journal. A mother of two teenage sons, Marquet initiated the "Science is Fun" club at the Gillispie School, in La Jolla.
Individual Pinnacle Award - Service
Theresa Drew, CPA
Deloitte, Managing Partner
Theresa Drew commitment to hiring and promoting deserving women is unparalleled within the accounting profession. She is a proud champion of Deloitte's Women's Initiative program, dedicated to fostering a supportive, encouraging environment for business women. More than half of all employees in Deloitte's San Diego office are women, including 43% at the partner/director level (compared to 12% nationwide). Over the last two years, 75% of all promotions to the partner/director level have been women.
Educator Pinnacle Award
Andrea Cook, Ph.D.
High Tech High, Science Teacher
Dr. Andrea Cook actively demonstrates her passion for science as an inspirational model for young women. Cook believes that young women, with encouragement and support, will experience success in science, and she has done this on the volleyball court, in the classroom, and in community-based seminars.
Cook has been instrumental in developing BEWiSE and EYH programs, through which more than 2,500 girls have benefited from her expertise and personal approach. Through presentations at the Jenna Druck Leadership Conference, she inspires young women to enhance self-esteem and acknowledge their intelligence and abilities.
As a researcher, Cook's work has led to a new methodology in radioacarbon dating. This has benefited science and served as inspiration for young women.
Cook has been instrumental in developing BEWiSE and EYH programs, through which more than 2,500 girls have benefited from her expertise and personal approach. Through presentations at the Jenna Druck Leadership Conference, she inspires young women to enhance self-esteem and acknowledge their intelligence and abilities.
As a researcher, Cook's work has led to a new methodology in radioacarbon dating. This has benefited science and served as inspiration for young women.
Corporate Pinnacle Award
Association for Women in Science, San Diego Chapter
The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) promotes the advancement of women in the science and science-related fields. The San Diego chapter is one of the largest in the country with over 300 members, consisting of scientists in both academia and the private sector. AWIS-SD reaches a broad spectrum of the San Diego community. AWIS-SD monthly events and Strategies Sessions serve local scientists with professional and personal development opportunities. Annually, AWIS-SD awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to local young women pursuing science education at the community college, undergraduate, or graduate levels. From the top down, AWIS-SD is an organization run by women for women.
2004
Educator Pinnacle Award
Nancy Taylor, San Diego County Office of Education
Nancy Taylor embodies the Pinnacle Award criteria through her roles as Science Coordinator for the San Diego County Office of Education, co-Principal Investigator of the PISCES program, instigator of the BEWiSE program for girls, and board member of the San Diego Science Alliance. Nancy was an elementary science teacher and now at SDCOE she advocates and champions expansion of science programs and synergies with science instructional opportunities in the K-12 system fraught with a short-term focus on test scores for Language Arts and Math. Nancy both innovates and models for women in science through the PISCES program that brings inquiry-based science expertise to K-6 teachers, most of whom lack any formal training in science and most of whom are women, that provides mentorship through college students as science corps fellows, most of whom are women, that enables K-6 students, half of whom are female, to see and experience the excitement of science. The BEWiSE program offers intimate science experiences for middle-school girls through overnights in scientific institutions and alumni programs as the girls progress through high school. And in the Science Alliance, Nancy's tireless efforts to inspire, challenge and coach business and high-education members in ways to collaborate with educators to enhance science literacy throughout the County.
Individual Pinnacle Award - Technology
June B. Chocheles, Corporate VP, Advanced Technology Program, SAIC
June Chocheles is one of SAIC's top executives, a key player in building SAIC's technology and R&D business base, and a role model for others. Chocheles passionately supports women in science and technology. For example, she is active in 21st Century Leadership, a mentoring program that prepares employees for career advancement and leadership. Women comprise 46% of the program; 56% of whom experienced at least one increase in salary level following their one-year participation. Working with many SAIC protégés, Chocheles assists each in understanding how SAIC conducts business and provides insight on how to be successful personally and professionally. Inspired by her late sister, an electrical engineer who encouraged Chocheles to pursue a career in high-tech, she initiated the Athena Century Club to increase funding for the Pinnacle Scholarship Awards by raising $50,000 annually.
Individual Pinnacle Award - Service
L. Kay Chandler
Partner, Cooley Godward
Kay Chandler is a partner in Cooley Godward's Business Department and an active member of the firm's Life Sciences Practice group. She joined the firm 1988 and in 1992 was a founding member of its San Diego office. Chandler is chair of the firm's Hiring Committee. She is co-founded The Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a networking group that fosters mentoring of women professionals in the life science field. She received the Athena Pinnacle Award in recognition of these and other outstanding efforts toward the development and promotion of skilled and talented women in the San Diego technology business community.
Corporate Pinnacle Award
Pfizer Global R&D
From the top down, Pfizer promotes women within the company. Four of the eleven members of the La Jolla Leadership Team are women, including Site Director Dr. Catherine Mackey. Women occupy key leadership roles in every part of Pfizer La Jolla. In 2003, three of five project teams that put potential new drugs into clinical studies were led by women. Almost half of Pfizer's current drug development projects are led by women. Also women were appointed women to lead the Regulatory Affairs and Development Operations departments; both have successfully reorganized these departments and are building a new high-performance culture. Pfizer La Jolla has also introduced programs over the last two years to support and develop junior women. This includes a highly valued and successful mentoring program targeting women and minority groups and a lively Women's Network that organized lunchtime meetings and workshops. Plans are underway to provide childcare facilities on site. Pfizer also demonstrates its commitment to women in the community by generous sponsorship of Athena and the Association of Women in Science (AWIS) and has many volunteers who are active in both organizations and on their boards.
2003
Educator Pinnacle Award
Barbara DePass-Smith
Monarch School
Barbara DePass-Smith has created a state-of-the-art science program at Monarch School for homeless youth that stresses academic excellence. DePass-Smith has secured a number of grants to supply students with updated textbooks and advanced science equipment, from microscopes to organ models. She tirelessly promotes science to female students by offering dynamic topics and hands-on projects, and has brought in professors and doctors from local colleges and universities as guest speakers. Due to DePass-Smith's dedication, Monarch now offers an Honors Science course in collaboration with UCSD Medical School. De-Pass-Smith's dedication to educating these "forgotten" children has borne significant fruit. In 2002, Monarch celebrated its largest graduating class with more than 75% of graduates now successful college students. This is due in large part to this remarkable teacher.
Individual Pinnacle Award - Technology
Martha Dennis, Ph.D.
Windward Ventures
The second woman to receive a Harvard University computer science doctorate, Dr. Martha Dennis is a pioneer in the male-dominated telecommunications industry. She was the first female technical assistant vice president at Linkabit. She co-founded Pacific Communications Sciences, where she managed 300 engineers. Dennis was founder/CEO of the wireless-software firm WaveWare. She is now a venture partner with Windward Ventures, funding and nurturing young enterprises. From her various career platforms Dennis has cumulatively impacted hundreds of women by encouraging them to enter technology industries; serving as a promoter, role model, and mentor in both technical and management ranks; and continually increasing the percent of women in her various enterprises. Dennis helped create Athena, actively advocates for female technical education from K-12 through college, and heads the San Diego Telecom Council and the Mayor's Science-and-Technology Commission.
Individual Pinnacle Award - Service
Lisa Haile, JD, Ph.D.
Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich
Dr. Lisa Haile is a superb role model for women in technology, law, and business. Women make up more than 50% of her department at Gray Cary and she devotes considerable time to increasing their visibility. Haile created a patent prosecution practice at her law firm which is unrivaled. She is also involved in the firm at a strategic level as co-chair of the Life Sciences Group. In 2003, Haile was named as one of the top 45 attorneys nationwide under age 45 by The American Lawyer magazine in recognition of her achievements. Additionally, Haile demonstrates community leadership by serving UCSD Athena, BIOCOM, UCSD CONNECT, teaching at California Western School of Law, and frequently speaking for the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, AWIS, and numerous other organizations for the education and empowerment of women.
Corporate Pinnacle Award
Profitline
ProfitLine aggressively recruits women to work at all levels of the company, including managerial, director, and executive positions. Currently, the company employs 110 people, over 50% of whom are women. Nineteen of 24 managerial positions in the company are occupied by women. Three of the four vice presidents are women. ProfitLine has increased the number of women in executive/management roles 433% since 2000. The organization has been growing rapidly, enjoying 660% growth during the past five years, creating many opportunities for the hiring and promotion of women. The company is enjoying its second consecutive year on Inc magazine's list of 500 fastest growing privately held American companies. In 2002, ProfitLine was named one of the "Best Companies to Work For in San Diego," by the San Diego Business Journal.
2002
Individual Educator Category
Ginger Hovenic, Ed.D.
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation & Business Roundtable for Education
For more than 30 years, Dr. Ginger Hovenic has been an educator with tremendous passion and unbounded vision. She serves as president/CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation and heads the Business Roundtable for Education where she oversees development of learning opportunities and resources for the next generation of women in careers in the fields of math and science. Hovenic was the first woman to head a boarding school in London that focused on math and science as its core. In the late 1980's she was the first woman to serve as an educational leader in the Department of State for the American and International Schools, bringing technology as a tool to communicate within and between schools throughout the world.
Individual Technology Category
Sandra Schmid, Ph.D.
The Scripps Research Institute
Dr. Sandra L. Schmid is an internationally recognized cell biologist and professor at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and its first woman department chairman. Schmid plays a strong leadership role in the institutional and intellectual life of TSRI as well as in the broad context of the international scientific community. Additionally, Schmid has participated as a round-table discussant at ASCB Women in Cell Biology luncheons and has served as a mentor both to local high school science teachers as well as high school students who have spent summers in her laboratory working as part of her research team. She is a strong advocate for science literacy/science education and is actively involved in the promotion of science and scientific careers for young women.
Individual Service Category
Cathryn Campbell
Campbell & Flores LLP
When she graduated from law school in 1983, Cathryn Campbell was one of the first attorneys in the nation to also have a Ph.D. in biological science. She was at the time first, and the only, woman patent attorney in Southern California. In 1992, Campbell co-founded Campbell & Flores, a patent-law firm focused on biotechnology. Named as one of the state's top intellectual property attorneys, Cathryn has been published extensively and has taught patent law at California Western School of Law, where she has served as an important role model for aspiring women attorneys.
Corporate Category
Deloitte & Touche LLP - San Diego Practice
The San Diego practice of Deloitte & Touche has consistently demonstrated its commitment to hiring, encouraging, promoting, and empowering women. Among the Big Five, Deloitte & Touche has the highest percentage of women partners and has held this distinction the past four years. The goals of the San Diego practice are to foster an environment that enables women to reach their potential, to enhance day-to-day flexibility, and to retain the firm's distinction as employer of choice. For the past five years, Deloitte & Touche has been named to Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For," and for the eighth consecutive year, the company was named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine.
2001
Individual Educator Category
Patricia Winter
Science Allilance
For nearly 20 years, Patricia Winter has helped create a dialog between the scientists of today and tomorrow. First at The Salk Institute, and now at General Atomics, she created education outreach programs for bio-technology and physical sciences. Her commitment has encouraged professionals to volunteer their time and expertise in order to educate literally thousands of San Diego students. Winter spearheaded High School Science Days, science workshops for teachers, the High Tech Fair, and created the San Diego Science Alliance. A capstone of the Alliance's programs is BEWiSE (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering) which targets K-12 female students, with a special emphasis on 7th through 12th grades.
Individual Technology Category
Tina Nova, Ph.D.
President/CEO, GenOptix
Dr. Tina Nova is a hero to the 70-year-old security guard she still e-mails him as a friend and to scores of people at all levels of the companies that she has helped create. Before starting GenOptix, Nova helped get Nanogen up and running and into an IPO. As a scientist, her colleagues find no equal. But it is as person that Nova is most revered by those she has mentored along the way. Nova's support for women working for her as led some to career changes, others to advancement, several have started their own companies, and all have achieved some measure of success because of her encouragement.
Individual Service Category
Susan Howell Ten Eyck
As the only woman manager of a commercial banking center within City National Bank, Susan Howell Ten Eyck has encouraged the women who work for her to build their own success, and has, at the same time, managed to increase the business at the La Jolla center by 125%. In addition to Athena board member and program chair responsibilities, Ten Eyck also serves on four other boards and is active in a half-dozen organizations. Her interests span the local to the global, the scientific to the humanitarian, and from SCUBA diving to puppies. Through it all, she encourages women in the risk-taking that is a hallmark of Athena's mission.
Corporate Category
TEAL Electronics Incorporated
Half of TEAL Electronics senior managers are women; one of whom is responsible for 60% percent of the company's employees. The company has gone out of its way to encourage women in its workforce even re-designing one job to make it physically possible for women to undertake a task once believed only possible by men. Add to that a constant effort to communicate its diversity philosophy both to employees and the public and a wide array of job options include flex-time, job-sharing, part-time telecommuting. The company's interest in promoting women, encouraging continuing education, and making sure they get the most out of their jobs are just a few of the reasons TEAL has been recognized as a winner of the "Best Place to Work" by Ken Blanchard Training and the San Diego Business Journal.