The Icon Awards

DEE HIGBY

Joined the Center as member of The Guilds and served three years on that board. She joined the board of South Coast Repertory in 1993 and served as president in 1998 - 2000. She joined The Angels of the Arts in 1998 and served as Board President 2012-2014. She was a cabinet member of the Tenth Anniversary of the Center and co-chaired the Gala celebrating the opening of the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. She has also chaired Candlelight Concert two times.

LARRY HIGBY

Joined the Center of the Performing Arts in 1992 while in the position of President of the Times Orange County. Also served on many other Orange County non profit boards, including The United Way, South Coast Repertory and The Mind Institute. He served as Chairman of the board of the re-named Segerstrom Center for the Arts 2011 - 2015 and was a founding member of The New Majority.

SUSAN M. STRADER

Susan’s interest in a local performing arts venue stemmed from attending the Civic Light Opera series in Los Angeles. When Tim was tapped to become a Board Member for a fledgling organization in Orange County with that purpose she became an eager participant in this quest. Henry Segerstrom invited Tim and Susan to join a capital campaign cabinet to raise $100,000,000 to build and endow a new Center. In 1978 Dotti Stillwell and Georgia Spooner had the foresight to gather women with a love of the arts and channel their energy and enthusiasm into forming The Guilds, support groups throughout the County. Susan assisted in forming three chapters and took leadership roles in: Sound of Music, Music in the Air and Performing Arts Juniors. The Angels of the Arts was formed in 1983 by the wives of the Center Board of Trustees as the premier support group and Susan became a member. As president from 1994 to 1996 she initiated the Emerita membership category for women wishing to lessen their active involvement and also the naming of seats in Segerstrom Hall for members who passed away. The Straders have always involved their children and grandchildren in the Center and applaud those taking leadership roles in their adult lives.

TIMOTHY L. STRADER

Tim joined the Board of Directors of the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in 1979 and is the longest serving board member. At the invitation of Henry Segerstrom he and his wife, Susan, served on the capital campaign committee to raise $100,000,000 to build and endow the future Center. In 1985 Tim became President and CEO and was involved in design and construction of the 3,000 seat multi-purpose theater, hiring staff and setting operating policies. Recognizing that professional executives were needed in preparation for opening and operating the Center, he and a search committee hired Tom Kendrick and Judy Morr from the John F. Kennedy Center. He worked with the new team to open the Center in 1986, producing a stellar concert and celebratory gala befitting its new place in the cultural life of the region. During Tim’s tenure he received the Chairman’s Cup in 1990 and in 2019. He continues to offer his counsel, being a valued resource for both historical reference and insightful vision. He and Susan continue to contribute time, talent and treasure to this world class center for the performing arts.