Nearly 900 leaders from the real estate and construction industries in Southern California and other supporters gathered on Sept. 14 to recognize Richard S. Ziman, former chairman and chief executive officer of Arden Realty Inc., at a special Toast and Roast gala.
At the event, Ziman became the first individual to receive both City of Hope’s Spirit of Life® Award and the President’s Award, a new honor that recognizes outstanding commitment to the advancement of science and the care of patients with cancer.
“City of Hope has been fortunate to have a wonderful association with Richard and his wife, Daphna, for decades,” said Michael A. Friedman, president and chief executive officer of City of Hope. “City of Hope’s special, effective cancer research and care would not be possible without the potent support provided by the Zimans.”
The Los Angeles Real Estate & Construction Industries Council for City of Hope hosted the Toast and Roast at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. Special guests included former governor Gray Davis, celebrity Randy Jackson and other prominent “roasters.” The event raised more than $1.6 million for City of Hope.
A celebrated humanitarian, Ziman is a past member of the national board directors of City of Hope and served as its chair from 1989 to 1995. He is the recipient of the Gallery of Achievement Award, City of Hope’s highest medical and scientific recognition. He and Daphna Ziman are long-time supporters of City of Hope and have made numerous contributions to the institution, including endowing the Ziman Family Outpatient Oncology Center.
Richard Ziman co-founded Arden Realty Inc. in 1991. Under his leadership, Arden grew to be Southern California’s largest office landlord. Earlier this year, Arden was sold for $4.8 billion to a real estate affiliate of General Electric Co.
Ziman is now chair of American Value Partners Advisors LLC, an investment company headquartered in West Los Angeles.
After receiving his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Southern California, he began his career as a real estate attorney with the law firm of Loeb & Loeb, where he was a partner from 1971 to 1980. Drawing on his extensive real estate expertise, Ziman went on to establish and manage Pacific Financial Group, which soon became a major private owner of office buildings in Southern California.
For more than a decade, the Los Angeles Real Estate & Construction Industries Council for City of Hope has raised millions of dollars to support the institution’s research, treatment and education programs.
