On individual at a time, One community at a time.
Our Team is Driven by Passion.
Golden Rule Charity would not exist without the dedication of our Board of Directors. The board is comprised of prominent leaders who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of people in their time of need.
Judy Walker
Founder & CEO of Golden Rule Charity
Judy Walker began her career in hospitality at the Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa where she spent 9 years. From there she transferred to The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel as the Social Catering Manager. With a love for learning and assisting others, Walker transferred and spent the next two years in Training and Development. Ready to tackle the next challenge, Walker accepted a position with the California Restaurant Association as the Executive Director of the Educational Foundation.
Judy spent the last 11 years working for Share Our Strength and the No Kid Hungry Campaign as Director of Market Development, before deciding to set up her own nonprofit in 2016, and called it Golden Rule Charity. Having observed the hardships faced by those in her industry when they fall on hard times, Judy wished to use her expertise to support these hardworking members of the community. Walker lives in Laguna Niguel with her husband and 2 year old Jack Russell.
Executive Chef Rob Wilson
Culinary Experience & Training Manager, Fisher & Paykel Appliances, Inc.
Chef Rob Wilson joined Montage in 2010 to oversee culinary operations with an emphasis on special events. As Executive Chef he manages day-to-day operations in the main kitchens, ensuring the best quality products are used on every menu.
Chef Wilson has had an extensive culinary background following his graduation from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), New York. His culinary path has included time at Surf and Sand Resort, also in Laguna Beach, where he worked as a Sous Chef. Eventually he went on to be co-owner and Executive Chef of Cervino's in Mammoth Lakes. Prior to joining Montage, Chef Wilson spent 13 years with The Ritz Carlton company, most recently serving as Executive chef at their location in Laguna Niguel. He was named "Chef of the Year" in 2008 by Chef Magazine.
Simon Majumdar
Cook, Author and Broadcaster
Simon Majumdar is a cook, author and broadcaster who has dedicated the second half of his time on this planet to fulfilling his ambition to "Go Everywhere, Eat Everything." It is a journey that has taken him to all fifty states and to dozens of countries around the world. He has written three books: Eat My Globe," "Eating for Britain," and his third book, "Fed, White and Blue," which catalogs his journey to American citizenship, was published by Avery Press (an imprint of Penguin Books) in 2015. Simon is also a well-recognized personality on the Food Network, regularly appearing on shows such as Cutthroat Kitchen, Iron Chef America, The Next Iron Chef, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Extreme Chef and Beat Bobby Flay. He has also appeared as an expert commentator on National Geographic's major series "EAT:The Story of Food." He lives in Los Angeles.
Christine van Rooy
NCIDQ, Chairman VANROOY design, LLC., Managing Principal
The entire career of Christine van Rooy has been dedicated to the development & success of bars and restaurants. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Christine started in hospitality at the age of 15. She has worked her way up from server to manager, while completing her advanced education in Architectural Design. Upon receiving her degree, Christine chose to continue specializing in the development of new hospitality concepts; restaurants, boutique hotels, nightclubs, and casinos on an international scale.
She gained her experience working with recognized restaurant and bar corporations such as Hillstone Restaurant Group, J. Alexanders, MGM International, The Venetian/Sands Corporation to name a few. Drawing from this broad base of relevant experience, Christine creates highly rational and energetic design concepts that embrace both the practical and aesthetic requirements of her clients, resulting in spaces that are both fun and functional.
Since creating VANROOY design, Christine and Jerry have made it their passion to work with independent restaurant and bar owners. Providing them the tools they need to stand out in an ever changing hospitality landscape. They created an alliance of professionals in branding, graphics, marketing, food consulting, menu development & business development … who all work together to create kick-ass establishments.
Within the studio, Christine provides critical oversight of the design process, from initial strategic planning exercises through the development of construction documents. She uses a deep understanding of her client's brand and culture to inform creative, cost-effective design solutions that support their business paradigms. Throughout the design phases, she ensures that these key concepts are translated into the project details and documentation, and then executed to the high standards established by the practice. Christine is a certified interior designer and holds a Bachelor of Interior Design degree from California State University at Long Beach.
Christine van Rooy has been recognized as one of the Top 20 New Designers to Watch and her restaurants have won awards such as "Best New Restaurant", "Best New Bar", "Top 100 Grossing Bars in the Nation", and the list goes on.
Pamela Waitt
President, Co-founder, OC Restaurant Association
The objective of the OC Restaurant Association, Inc. is to illuminate the Orange County restaurant industry. Pamela Waitt is best known for launching "Orange County Restaurant Week" in 2008 which is the region's most celebrated dining event and brings the county together through food. She is known for her visionary spirit and leadership abilities along with a commitment of bringing people together through food. Pam is the executive producer and creator of the Golden Foodie Awards. The association is also the company behind the Pacific Wine and Food Festival. Pam believes that food has power and connects us all. She enjoys creating innovative, fun events that appeal to all palates.
Paula Robison
Director, Global Client Group, American Express Global Business Travel
Paula Robison is passionate about the hospitality industry and it is evident in her work of over 20 years with Share Our Strength/Taste of the Nation, when she served as a Marketing Director and Event Facilitator. She continued such work with San Diego Taste of the Nation events as a Marketing Committee Member. Throughout her tenure with American Express Paula lead the launch of their prepaid programs with an entrepreneurial spirit that gave her the focus and flexibility to grow a new business and brand within the organization. Paula is focused on expanding her knowledge of wine and spirits and as such has achieved the WSET Level 3 Award. She enthusiastically volunteers for both SommCon® and the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival each year.
Valerie Christopherson
Founder and CEO Global Results Communications, Inc.
As CEO and Founder of Global Results Communications (GRC), Valerie Christopherson is responsible for client strategy, growth and profitability of GRC and international operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Over her 20-year career in the mobile and technology industries, she has provided strategic counsel and campaign management to a wide range of successful public relations and social media programs on behalf of major trade associations, Fortune 500 companies and start-ups.
Prior to founding GRC in 2005, Valerie worked with mobile, telecom and technology clients while at Porter Novelli Convergence Group. In addition, Valerie spent time in-house at QUALCOMM as well as worked for niche agencies centered on global clients. Valerie holds a B.A. in communications with an emphasis on public relations as well as a B.A. in English from California State University, Fullerton. She also completed a certificate program in Social and Digital Media from the University of Irvine. In her personal life, Valerie enjoys spending time with her son, participating in a wide-variety of charity events and attending concerts around the world.
Justine Hunter
Restaurant National Practice Leader for Moss Adams
Justine Hunter is the Restaurant National Practice Leader for Moss Adams and has served the restaurant industry for over 30 years—Previously a partner with Ernst & Young, she has extensive experience managing multiple client service relationships that include audit and tax services (including cost-efficient first-time audits going back two to three years), assistance with purchase price allocations, and accounting interpretations for transactions with private equity firms. She has worked with many restaurant concepts from 5 locations to over 1000 locations, specializing in audit and due diligence and buy/sell transactions
Bill Nolan
Owner of Nolan Hospitality
Bill Nolan is the owner of Nolan Hospitality (NH), a food-focused company based in Darien, IL. NH specializes in group presentations, cooking classes, food photography, marketing for farmers and vendors, and general consulting. Bill believes in scratch cooking and healthy food whenever possible.
Bill has over 20 years' experience in the restaurant and education industries. He received his culinary training at Elgin Community College's School of Hospitality Management, where he served as a chef-educator on the adjunct faculty after graduation.
Bill volunteers as a chef instructor at Wellness House in Hinsdale, IL. and is also a volunteer chef mentor with Fox Valley Food for Health, in Geneva, IL.
Kelly Lam
Founder of The Whole Purpose
Kelly Lam is a wellness expert and founder of The Whole Purpose, a company that offers individuals and corporations an innovative approach to physical and emotional well-being through Mindful Wellness and Purposeful Communication.
After many years working in corporate America, Kelly realized the vital need for healthy and balanced wellness solutions. Through her first-hand experience, she has brought 'whole' solutions to various global corporations and exercises her talents by producing corporate and specialty events that are customized to promote individual health on a broad scale.
Kelly's passion and expertise combine to create a unique connection with her clients that stems from her own personal journey towards wellness, coupled with the desire to empower others. With many years in the wellness and nutrition sector, Kelly is a seasoned consultant and teacher of yoga, nutrition and health programs designed to achieve optimal wellbeing.
Kelly is an active philanthropist and serves as a board member for several non-profits and organizations including, Project Hope Alliance, The Center for Living Peace, The Center for Spirituality, Hoag Hospital's Woman's Committee and the University of La Verne's President's Advisory Council. Her passion to help the community is shown through Kelly's hard work and desire to help others live happy and healthy lives.
Katie Mawhinney
Philanthropic support is essential to furthering Golden Rule's Initiative.
GRC's mission to provide support to hospitality employees affected by unanticipated hardship as well as provide your donation has a meaningful impact on the future of our industry.
Golden Rule Charity
For more information, call 949-310-5839, or Contact us.
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