Five Acres Board & Executive Committee and Awardees (back row, left to right): Dennis Duran, Shoshana Puccia, Sue McGuirl, Rustin Mork, Andrew Crowell, Chris Selak, Leo Bolanos, Nick Mosaquites, Marcus Tanimoto, Bill Miller. (Seated, left to right): Chanel Boutakidis (Five Acres CEO), Kirk Moon, Rachel Duarte Mosaquites, Zoe Walrond.
left to right: Dennis Duran, Chef Balo Orozco, Andrew Lo, Trish Engel
Gala committee photo: Tera Wild, Leo Bolanos, Trish Gonzales
Award Recipients & Presenter: Nick Mosaquites, Rachel Duarte Mosaquites and Rustin Mork
Five Acres celebrated its Annual Board Meeting and Community Awards on March 11, 2026, at its Historic Headquarters in Altadena, recognizing outstanding service, welcoming new leadership, and highlighting hallmark events in its Centennial year.
Outgoing Board Chair Chris Selak passed the gavel to incoming Chair Shoshana Puccia. “It’s been an honor to serve as Board Chair,” said Selak. “I’m excited to pass the gavel to Shoshana and continue serving as Past Chair.” Puccia added, “As we mark 100 years at our Historic Headquarters, we remain focused on ensuring all children have access to essential care.”
2026 Community Awards
• Special Service to Children Award: World Central Kitchen: Honoring WCK’s rapid-response meal operations and community-centered support for children.
• Volunteers of the Year: Nick Mosaquites & Rachel Duarte Mosaquites: Longtime supporters who co-chaired the Five Acres Golf Tournament in 2024 and 2025.
• The Five Acres Award: The Tanimoto Family: Recognizing an intergenerational legacy of service led by Tetsu Tanimoto (supporting since 1995) and Marcus and Eisanne Tanimoto.
• Five Acres Heart Award: Winnie the Pooh: Celebrating a timeless symbol of childhood imagination and friendship during the organization’s Centennial year.
• Dorothy Cook Lifetime Achievement Award: Chris Selak: Recognized for decade-plus leadership including Gala Chair (2016–2017), Board Director (since 2016), Advancement Chair (2020–2024), and Board Chair (2024–2026); Selak will continue as Past Chair and co-chair the 2026 Golf Tournament.
Board Transitions & Appointments
Five Acres thanked departing leaders Jason Melillo, Celeste Liversidge, and Lance Polverini (who remains on the Golf Committee). Melillo’s service on the Finance/Investment and Audit Committees and the Board guided the agency through a complex post-pandemic period; he will serve as Tournament of Roses President in 2030.
New Board members (Class of 2026):
• Bill Miller, Senior Investment Officer, Northern Trust
• Rustin Mork, Senior Managing Director, JLL and returning Board member
2026–2028 Executive Committee:
• Board Chair: Shoshana Puccia
• Past Board Chair: Chris Selak
• Board Secretary: Bisi Ezeolu
• Vice Chairs:
– Administration: Kirsten Hansen
– Audit: Dennis Duran
– Advancement: Leo Bolanos
– Finance/Investment: Andrew Crowell
– Nominating: Kelley Bannon Lashley
– At-Large: Sue McGuirl
“Tonight’s honorees embody compassion, commitment, and community,” said Chanel Boutakidis, CEO. “We are grateful to our volunteers, partners, and Board leaders who make our mission possible.”
Upcoming Centennial-Year Events:
• Golden Gala Celebration: June 6, 2026, at a private club in Pasadena
• Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner: August 24, 2026, at San Gabriel Country Club
• Centennial Ribbon Cutting: July 15, 2026, at the Historic Headquarters in Altadena
Five Acres’ 138th Annual Report is available online and will also be mailed this year.
About Five Acres
Since 1888, Five Acres has protected the most vulnerable members of our community: children. Serving nearly 7,000 children and family members annually across six counties, Five Acres now strives for permanency, a permanent, loving home, for all children in their care. The three pillars of safety, well-being and permanency provide the framework for its programs and guide the steps as the agency develops even more effective means of caring for children and families in crisis. For more information about Five Acres visit: www.5acres.org
