Now here's a real estate power duo: We caught up with Webcor SVP Shelley Doran and Emerald Fund chairman Oz Erickson Tuesday night at City of Hope's annual gala at the Marriott Marquis. The nonprofit's campus near LA in Duarte is packed with esteemed clinicians and researchers who work to eradicate cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS using less toxic and more curative treatments. Celebrity spokespersons include actor Kiefer Sutherland and model Josie Maran. This year City of Hope's Northern California Real Estate & Construction Circle picked Wilson Meany's Chris Meany as the 2014 Spirit of Life Honoree, which recognizes a recipient's personal and professional achievements. (Oz is a previous honoree.)

Real estate at its best is about helping people have "rich, full lives," which is similar to what the City of Hope does—"though in much more rarified air," Chris (right) tells former 49ers executive Carmen Policy onstage. Some landmark projects in his 30-year career include the Ferry Building, Flood Building, and 140 New Montgomery. Now he's leading the redevelopment of Bay Meadows in San Mateo and co-managing (with Lennar) the overhaul of Treasure Island. The live auction portion of the night—cleverly held at the end of the evening after wine's been flowing—raised about $120k, with paddles popping up all over the ballroom. (How much did the paddles go for?)