Nana Pat was not someone who boasted much about her incredible achievements, either as a businesswoman or in her charitable work. But I think she quietly acknowledged herself as a mavin, naming several of her companies using the word.
A “mavin” is someone who is “dazzlingly skilled” in their field; a trusted expert or connoisseur. Synonyms include virtuoso, superstar, champion, ace. And Nana Pat was most certainly all these things, in real estate and business, in law, and in the stock market, to name only some of her expertise.
But Nana Pat’s passion remained throughout her life helping young people to get an education, so they could supplement their own natural talents and drive with teaching and mentorship, and become mavins themselves. She did this for countless students in her hometown of Oakland, California, and for countless more in the Wakefield Community through the Lapan College and Career Club.
To date, The Lapan Sunshine Foundation has given over 1.5 million dollars in tuition, books, room/board, immigration assistance, interest-free loans and so much more. The Mavins are selected by the executive board of the Sunshine foundation. The foundation prides itself on maintaining a personal relationship with each Mavin.
The Lapan Sunshine Foundation continues to honor Nana Pat’s tradition and legacy with Nana Pat’s Mavins, providing motivated students who have a passion to better the world with scholarship and mentorship, in order to pursue their dreams. We know that each of these students is on their way to becoming mavins in their fields, and the Lapan Sunshine Foundation is proud to support them on their paths.
