August 24, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Barbara Gross: A heart for service

by Jocelyn Dong

As the manager of several local banks in the 1990s, Barbara Gross dreamed of using the business to benefit nonprofit organizations. So she contacted Jeanne Kennedy, then the director of community and patient relations at Stanford Hospital, to brainstorm some tangible ways the bank could help the medical institution.

They thought and thought -- and came up empty.

Today, Kennedy tells that story about Gross not to speak of a failure but to reveal the business executive's long-held vision and desire for corporations to assume social responsibility. Fortunately for local nonprofits, Gross became general manager of the Garden Court Hotel six years ago -- and her heart for service was set free.

The downtown hotel today hosts numerous charitable events throughout the year. Gross has been selected as the recipient of the ATHENA Award, an honor given worldwide to "individuals who are recognized for professional excellence, providing valuable service to their community and actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills."

The awards ceremony will take place on Sept. 13, sponsored by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and coincidentally held at the Garden Court Hotel.

Organizations including the Stanford Health Library, the Community Breast Health Project, Palo Alto Partners in Education, Palo Altans for Government Effectiveness (PAGE), East Palo Alto elementary schools and the Peninsula Stroke Association have all benefited from Gross' leadership. The support is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to the groups.

"It turned out to be a terrific way to champion interests in the community," Gross said of using the Garden Court as a venue for events and meetings. "Nonprofits are the foundation of the community."

Although Gross is relatively new to the hospitality industry, her career has always centered on service of one type or another. Raised in New York City, she attended the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and became an elementary school teacher. After marrying husband Michael, the family moved to Portola Valley in the early 1970s due to his job.

When their three children reached school age, Gross decided to return to work, though the thought of the classroom was no longer appealing. So she marched into the local Great Western bank.

"I'd like to be a teller," Gross recalled saying to the branch manager, firmly raising her right hand in the retelling, as if volunteering for a position. He said yes, and within two years Gross was managing the branch.

As her responsibilities grew, she began to see the potential of using business for the community's good.

"I felt lobbies of the bank were important meeting places in the community," she said, remembering how her customers would run into each other there.

Then the general-manager position came open at the downtown hotel, and Gross, urged on by friends, leapt at the opportunity. She gives credit to the hotel founders for creating the Garden Court as a business with a community focus.

Gross' charitable efforts have not been limited to the hospitality industry. She has chaired the Chamber of Commerce's board of directors, government action council and downtown marketing committee. She served on the advisory board to the new Palo Alto Downtown Business and Professional Association.

She also decided to support the PaloAltoGreen program, making the hotel the city's first large energy user to purchase a significant portion of renewable energy in 2003.

"She's always rolling up her sleeves. She's always in the game," said local developer Chop Keenan, who has worked with Gross on numerous civic projects.

Through the Chamber's government committee, the pair got involved in the city's construction of two new parking garages downtown, which were finally completed in 2003.

"Tenacity and perseverance have to come to mind with the parking thing. It took years -- and she stayed on it. Most people wouldn't stick that long," Keenan said. "Palo Alto's lucky to have her."

In return, Gross credits the Chamber with developing her as a professional. The relationships she's formed through the business group have taught her how to participate in the community, she said.

As gung-ho as Gross is about work, she takes time to reflect about the responsibilities of women in the work-world with her daughter, a teacher, and daughter-in-law, a physician.

"A woman's role continues to get harder and more confusing as our lives get more complex," Gross said. "The pressure is so extreme. You want to be devoted, committed and excellent in what you do."

She rattles off women's roles, from daughter and wife to business executive. Unfortunately, she said of the responsibilities, "none is forgiving."

She and her family have had to juggle long hours between her husband's and her careers, though she's quick to say that Michael has been completely supportive throughout.

During a 45-minute interview, Gross's cell phone rang at least a half-dozen times, prompting her to ponder how busy society has become.

"I worry about what we're all doing. One of my fantasies is to lead a social revolution one day down University Avenue. It's to say, 'Stop it!' As a society, we haven't caught up (with technology) in a way that we've improved our communication," she said.

Her packed schedule and community involvements notwithstanding, Gross takes greatest pride in her children. Through the stability she and Michael were able to provide at home, her two sons and one daughter became "three functioning and contributing adults," she said, smiling.

Spare time these days revolves around that family.

"My husband and I are so focused on staying engaged with our children and grandchildren. It takes time and training and balance, but it's pure joy," she said.

By being selected as the 19th recipient of the annual award, Gross joins the likes of former Palo Alto Mayor Betsy Bechtel, Peninsula Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired executive Pam Brandin, Avenidas President and CEO Lisa Hendrickson, Palo Alto Police Chief Lynne Johnson, Palo Alto Housing Corporation Executive Director Marlene Prendergast and more -- including Jeanne Kennedy.

Kennedy was the one who called Gross to inform her of the award, which was voted on by the group of former ATHENA Award recipients.

"It was absolutely unanimous among all the goddesses," said Kennedy.

"Barbara's very self-effacing. She wants other people to get their glory. She wants always to be in the background. It's hard when you're as beautiful a person as she is," inside and outside, Kennedy said.

Wearing an understated brown and taupe suit, diamond earrings and a gold watch, Gross's green eyes lit up in remembering the recent phone call from her friend.

"I was absolutely taken by surprise. I was so touched. It was a tender, special moment," Gross said.

Senior Staff Writer Jocelyn Dong can be reached at jdong@paweekly.com.

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