If you’re reaching out to Malibu’s Paula Kent Meehan, the check is not only in the mail, it has arrived. The Malibu local and Beverly Hills resident is a well-known international entrepreneur with an impressive resume. She is chair and president of Kenquest, Inc., as well as founder of Redken Laboratories. But as much as she loves business, she also loves giving back. The philanthropist and animal lover has given $5 million to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, opening in October.
In light of her generous contribution, the landmark Beverly Hills Post Office will be named in her honor. The historic building is undergoing an extensive renovation and will be transformed into a 150-seat theater, school for young people, café and gift shop.
“We are incredibly grateful to Paula Kent Meehan for her generous contribution toward this major cultural destination,” Jerry Magnin, chair of the Board of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, said. “Paula has always been a visionary and she fully appreciates the importance that this project will mean for generations to come.”
Meehan expressed appreciation for the Beverly Hills community.
“Beverly Hills is such an outstanding community of businesses and residences of which I’m proud to be a part,” Meehan said. “It is hard to believe that it has lacked a performing arts center despite the many talented performers who live and work here. Now, thanks to Wallis Annenberg and other generous supporters, we will soon have the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts perfectly located for the world to view.”
Meehan’s passion for the arts began as a child.
“I wanted to be an opera singer, and studied with a wonderful gentleman, professor Nanas,” Meehan recalled. “I also acted as a child at the Callboard Theater in Hollywood, but life took a different turn and I entered the world of big business. I never did lose my love of the stage. I have been very fortunate and the idea that I’ll soon be able to look directly out my office window at this great performing arts center and be a part of this historic project is exciting and rewarding.”
Meehan is also a great animal lover and has several rescue companions.
“She does so much for the shelters and for animals,” said local Erika Brunson, founder of the Coalition for Pets and Public Safety. “She is a great friend and mentor.”
Meehan founded Redken Laboratories in 1960 with an initial investment of $3,000. More than 40 years later, Redken is a leader in the professional beauty products industry and Meehan is one of the nation’s most celebrated business leaders. She has been named among Working Women magazine’s Eight Most Powerful Women Business Owners and was recognized as one of the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in Paris in 2002.
The savvy businesswoman sold Redken in 1993 and went on to become president of her own corporate investment firm, Kenquest, Inc., which oversees her own portfolio of real estate investments and varied business ventures.
A dedicated philanthropist, Meehan is an active supporter of numerous charities, including Save the Children, St. John’s Medical Center, UCLA, Child Help USA, Actors and Others for Animals and the Thalians.
The historic post office will re-open this fall as the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts will transform a Beverly Hills city block into a vibrant new cultural destination.
No doubt about it, when it comes to leaving a great impression, Meehan knows how to get the job done. Brava!
Oscar preview
Malibu’s annual Oscar fever kicks off on early on Sat., Aug. 24, when longtime local resident Stacy Keach hosts a screening of director Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska.” You can catch it at the local Malibu cinema.
Keach will be joined by Malibu neighbor and fellow actor Bruce Dern. Dern’s performance won the Best Actor award at Cannes and makes him an early favorite for an Oscar nomination.
“Nebraska,” is set to release in November and will also be saluted in the Malibu Film Society’s Oscar season series.