Earlier this week, nearly a hundred of Los Angeles’ most powerful women convened at the newly opened Marea in Beverly Hills for The Daily Beast Chief Creative and Content Officer Joanna Coles’ latest Power 100 luncheon. Marea, the much-beloved New York City seafood restaurant, wasn’t the only East Coast institution making its mark on the City of Angels—this was the first time in its 13-year history that the power-player lunch took place in L.A. But while the setting may have expanded, its mission remained the same: to bring together women from diverse industries for a few hours of meaningful connection.
“Post-COVID, I feel like we still haven’t quite come back to the power of convening in person—actually talking to each other,” Coles told the crowd. “That’s the point of this.” The guest list reflected that ethos, comprising an eclectic mix of Hollywood executives, media insiders, entrepreneurs and cultural changemakers. Attendees mingled over glasses of wine and dishes like lobster burrata, exchanging stories and growing their networks in a setting that felt both exclusive and effortlessly convivial.
Guests included the actors Sophia Bush, Cobie Smulders and Melora Hardin, a good friend of Coles (who also portrayed the character inspired by her in The Bold Type), Phenomenal Media founder and CEO Meena Harris, and Vanderpump Rules alum Ariana Madix.
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Among other industry leaders in attendance were Netflix Senior Manager of Talent Relations Nyle Washington, Snap’s Chief Creative and Chief Communications Officers Colleen DeCourcy and Julie Henderson, LACMA Senior Vice President of Development Elizabeth Wiatt, journalist Liz Plank, UTA super agent Blair Kohan and The Great’s founders Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, each representing a different sphere of influence, from entertainment and tech to arts, media and fashion.
Coles kept the room entertained with quips about Elon Musk’s emails and Ozempic, among other sharp punchlines. But beneath the humor, the event carried a deeper sense of purpose, with conversations and speeches turning to the recent wildfires, which caused immense loss and devastation across Los Angeles. Key speakers—including Amazon Head of Entertainment Marketing Amy Powell, 20th Century Fox Television President Karey Burke and GoFundMe Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Margaret Richardson—shared their personal experiences and how their communities and workplaces rallied to support those affected. Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation President Liz Lin honored the bravery of the firefighters who risked their lives on the front lines.
The luncheon, which was sponsored by Uber, also doubled as a fundraising event. Camiel Irving, Uber’s VP of Operations, announced the company’s $3 million commitment to providing rides, meals and essentials for families affected by the fires. Additionally, any donations made to the LA Fire Department Foundation that day were matched up to $250,000.
Smulders, who lost the home she shared with husband Taran Killam in the Pacific Palisades fire, shared hope for the city’s recovery. “This event is really special, because the women in this room are not only driven, successful people in their careers, but are also determined to help the community,” she told The Daily Beast. “I think this is a time about coming together in a room and trying to find solutions and a progressive way forward.”
Madix was moved by how swiftly Angelenos came together in support of one another, calling it a true testament to the city’s sense of community. “I think Los Angeles often gets a bad reputation—people assume it’s a bunch of flakes who don’t care about others. But that was really a moment where you saw the true Los Angeles spirit come out, and it’s been really beautiful to see,” she told the Beast. “Now, we’re in it for the long run. It’s important for us to keep helping, and keep finding new ways to help.”
In addition to a curated gift bag of Jones Road travel products, guests left with what Coles described as an “opportunity… to meet someone that they didn’t know.”
“Walk away with one phone number you didn’t come with,” she explained, “and this lunch will have been a success.”
