Gina Elise '04

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Gina Elise '04 was one of two UCLA alumnae — among five women overall — who were honored on the court at the Lakers game Feb. 13 with a "Comerica Women’s Business Award." This accolade celebrates women in leadership roles across Southern California.

Elise, who founded the award-winning nonprofit organization Pin-Ups For Vets, which has supported hospitalized Veterans and deployed troops for 18 years, received the “Woman of Philanthropy” award.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UCLA as a theater major, Elise was a successful corporate sales manager in the hospitality industry, but left her position to dedicate herself full time to her non-profit and her first love. By combining her entrepreneurial skills with her healthcare activism, she created a one-of-a kind organization that raises money to support the Veteran and military community.

Pin-Ups For Vets creates yearly 1940’s-style calendars, featuring female Veterans as the models. The fundraiser calendars raise money to support the organization’s Veteran and troop initiatives. Pin-Ups For Vets is currently in the middle of a 50-state tour, where the ambassadors, dressed as WWII-style pin-ups, have individually visited with over 17,000 Veterans at VA Hospitals, military Hospitals and state Veterans homes to hand-deliver the calendars as gifts of appreciation. The organization has donated over $100,000 of rehabilitation equipment to VA hospitals across the U.S. to help expand physical therapy programs for Veterans. Pin-Ups For Vets ships care packages to deployed troops around the world, does morale-boosting makeovers for female Veterans and military wives, and supports homeless Veterans.

Elise has been the featured speaker at the American Legion, VFW, Elks Club and numerous other Veterans’ events. She is also regularly interviewed in the media and has been featured on ABC, NBC Nightly News, CBS, FOX, PBS, HLN, "Inside Edition," "The Kelly Clarkson Show," "The Today Show," AOL News, American Forces Network, Stars and Stripes, Huffington Post, People.com, Military.com, Hallmark Channel, Boston Herald, Denver Post, The Washington Times, Military Times, and many others.

She has received the “Volunteer of the Year” award from the LA Business Journal's "Women Making a Difference" awards, the “Community Bridge Builder” award from the National Association of Women Business Owners, and “Outstanding Young Californian” award from the California Jaycees and Junior Chamber of Commerce, the “Beyond the Call” award from National VFW, and has been made an Honorary Colonel by American Legion. Pin-Ups For Vets has received Congressional recognition and has been honored by the State of California Senate, California Legislature Assembly and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Elise was also invited to ring the closing bell on the NASDAQ in November 2011.