Westmont Magazine Wallace Emerson Society

A leader in the managed care industry since 1986, Leeba Lessin ’79 exemplifies the Christian leaders Westmont produces. After earning an M.B.A. at the University of Washington, she helped to establish Freedom Plan, a Santa Barbara HMO. She served as president until 1992 when PacfiCare acquired the company and then led an affiliated physician group for two years. A desire to be better equipped for lay ministry inspired her to complete a master’s degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. PacifCare lured her back to be vice president for provider delivery systems and then promoted her to president of Northern California operations, a position she left in June 2002. Taking a sabbatical to explore interests at a different pace of life, she has traveled in Asia and  Europe. Leeba volunteers at her church, Plymouth Congregational in Whittier, Calif., and teaches adult literacy. A charter member of the Wallace Emerson Society, she included Westmont in her will because she believes in the college’s mission. “It’s such a unique goal to prepare Christian leaders, which the world really needs,” she says. “No goal is perfectly attained, but I’ve admired Westmont’s persistence in pursuing its vision.”

For more information about the Wallace Emerson Society, call Iva Schatz, Director of Planned Giving, (805) 565-6034 or (800) 998-5652.