THE BOARD
Sheila Irani, Executive Director
Born and raised in Hollywood, California, A Million Drops Executive Director Sheila Irani has always felt a desire to serve the public in the city she loves. In addition to being the founder of Pathways Strategic Communications, a full service communications firm specializing in transportation, environmental, and social issues, Sheila has worked as a Field Deputy and as the Director of Special Projects for the 4th District, and she was the President of the Lake Hollywood Homeowners Association as well as a Board Member of the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council. Sheila also served as the Executive Director and later as Chairperson for a non-profit foundation affiliated with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles that provides services for high-risk youth and teens, and in 2004, she founded Women & Words and produced literary conferences raising money to benefit foster care agencies throughout Los Angeles while promoting women authors.
Zoe Bannon, Secretary
Zoe Tremblay Bannon is passionate about building community. Whether it’s participating in events and fundraising at her sons’ school, serving as a point of contact for law enforcement in her neighborhood, or helping a friend in a time of need, Zoe is a constant source of support with a “get it done” attitude. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, where she worked as a fashion buyer for many years, she moved to Los Angeles in 2004. As the mother of two young boys, she sought an opportunity to make her neighborhood safer. She opened a constant channel of communication with local law enforcement and implemented a security patrol at a time when crime was on the rise; she also recently graduated from Burbank Police Community Academy, so she can better understand how the department works. Zoe’s vast network extends to the music scene by way of her husband Vince; music plays a large role in the Bannon household, and the two can often be seen in the crowd at local rock shows and festivals.
Cynthia Klar, Treasurer
Born in Uruguay, South America, and raised in Los Angeles, Cynthia had a fulfilling corporate career as Vice-President of Non-Theatrical Sales at NBCUniversal for 30 years. In this role, she negotiated multi-million dollar licensing deals with airline carriers and cruise ships, and interacted with a worldwide client base.
Switching gears after an early retirement from corporate life, she is now finding her passion in her next chapter which includes consulting as a Los Angeles relocation specialist working for a global mobility and talent company and getting involved with A Million Drops. A Los Feliz resident for 25 years, she raised her adult daughter in Los Angeles and wants to give back to the city she loves.
Maike Both, Founder
Born and raised in Germany, A Million Drops founder Maike Both came to the USA in 1992 where she since has been building a successful career working as a Set Decoration Buyer on feature film and tv productions.
In 2013, to give back to the community, Maike founded A Million Drops, organizing Free Haircuts and Free Laundry Days, as well as Unsheltered, a series of art shows featuring works by at-risk young adults. Between 2018 – 2020, her responsibilities have also included fundraising, and organizing programs for A Million Drops’ Learning Center.
In April 2023, Maike stepped down from her role as the Director of A Million Drops; she is succeeded by Sheila Irani.