Pam Ingram

Nominated by Sebastian Velona Foundation

Pamela Ann Robinson was born February 2, 1950, in Chicago. Because her father, Gil, was "on the road" in vaudeville during the time that mom, Eileen, was pregnant, Gil enlisted the help of his best friend, television personality George Goebel, to drive Eileen to the hospital when the time came. But on February 2, Eileen was unable to reach George, so she called a cab. The cab driver got lost on the way to the hospital, and Pam was almost born in the back seat of that cab. The driver finally did make it to Edgewater Hospital where Pam was safely delivered.

The Robinsons moved 15 times in Pam's first three years, eventually trading Chicago snow for California sun in 1953. Three years after relocating to California, Pam's sister Patricia was born. The family of four moved around Southern California several times before landing in Canoga Park where Pam attended Canoga Park High School.

Pam was an outstanding student, active in extracurricular activities while maintaining a busy social life. In high school she was a member of the drill team, student cabinet, and a girls club called Leasions, which supported a young girl in Africa.

By this time, Gil had left the vaudeville scene and was working for Courtesy Chevrolet in downtown Los Angeles. His career change provided an unforeseen perk for Pam. Every two years when her parents received their new cars from the company, she received her mother's hand-me-down car and acted as the driver for her friends.

After graduation, Pam attended Pierce College for two years with the intention of getting a teaching degree. But a job opening at Courtesy Chevrolet in Thousand Oaks was too irresistible to ignore, and she decided to take it.

While at Courtesy Chevrolet, Pam met future husband Steve Ingram. The couple was married in 1972, and Steve went to work with Pam's father at Courtesy Chevrolet in Los Angeles. Pam eventually left Courtesy Chevrolet to work at Beverly Lincoln Mercury where she became the collections manager.

The purchase of their first boat prompted Pam and Steve to look for a house with a garage to keep it in. The search brought them to Valencia in 1974 where they bought their first home in the Meadows tract.

First boat, first home, and time to start a family. Christopher Matthew Ingram was born in April 1976.

A job change to a Chevrolet dealership in Ojai, which required a hazardous commute on the then two-lane 126 highway, prompted Steve to make a tough decision: It was time for the family to move closer to his work. The family settled in Thousand Oaks, where they spent most of son Chris' school years.

The family's passions for sports found them spending weekends houseboating, skiing or playing tennis with many trips to Lake Powell, Lake Shasta and Lake Don Pedro.

Chris attended Chaminade College Preparatory for six years, and Pam became involved with school fundraising and basket making for the annual fashion show, which featured live and silent auctions. Pam eventually became president of the Parents Association. During Chris's senior year, Pam chaired the fashion show and was honored to have Dick Van Dyke as the emcee.

The Ingrams' neighbor in Thousand Oaks was the owner of Bob Ely Realty and Prudential California Real Estate. Ely had been encouraging Pam to get into real estate for years. It was during Chris' senior year that Pam filled in as transaction coordinator for Ely. She officially began her real estate career in 1994, two weeks after the Northridge earthquake.

When Chris left home to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, Pam and Steve moved back to Santa Clarita. Steve was racing offshore boats with Teague Custom Marine, and Pam went to work at RE/MAX of Santa Clarita.

After college graduation, Chris met his wife, Elise Foster. They were married in 2004, and the Ingram family grew to include four grandchildren: Taylor in 2005, Zachary in 2008, Ella in 2009 and Abbey in 2011. Pam spends as much time as possible with them enjoying all the dance productions that the girls are in, as well as Zach's sports activities.

Pam's career in real estate sales has been quite successful, earning her a Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award as one of her company's top agents. Another highlight was receiving the Philanthropic Award in 2015. As a dynamic agent and leader, Pam believes in setting an example for others through humanitarian efforts and service to the community.

For a short time, Steve worked with Pam and the couple bought a moving van, which they shared with their clients and the community. Whether it was Carousel Ranch, Soroptimist, American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club, Relay for Life, Betty Ferguson Foundation, Alzheimer's Foundation, Helmers Elementary School Parents Association, Orchard PTSA, Special Olympics or the Senior Center, the truck was always available for community events.

Pam joined Soroptimist of Santa Clarita and Greater Santa Clarita 19 years ago. She is currently ready to embark on her third year as president. She has also served as Wine Affair chair, co-chair of venue and wine for Wine Affair, vice president of programs, parliamentarian, fashion show chair, and nomination chair for Soroptimist International Camino Real Region.

Other organizations Pam has supported include the Betty Ferguson Foundation and the Winter Homeless Shelter Task Force. She also served as chair of the Chamber of Commerce and a board member for over eight years.

In the last three years, Pam has become involved with the Sebastian Velona Foundation. The organization's namesake suffers from a rare genetically inherited disorder, CLN8, which causes seizures, blindness, behavior changes and dementia. The disorder can result in a shorter life span. The foundation's goal is to raise $5 million for clinical research and gene therapy, and Pam has enthusiastically supported the team that is doing the research and testing needed for FDA approval of drug therapy.

Pam's positive attitude and energy has fueled her passion to lead, encourage teamwork and motivate others to create positive change and deliver results. Her commitment to the Santa Clarita Valley and those in need has inspired her to continue her quest with a helping hand where needed.

Giving a hand up, not a handout, is a guiding Soroptimist philosophy, and Pam has incorporated that spirit in her business and in her community service. Although she has a busy professional life, she finds time to spend with family and friends while also volunteering and attending most nonprofits in town. It is this giving spirit that has led to Pam's selection as the 2019 SCV Woman of the Year.