Assemblywoman Soria Announces 2025 Woman of the Year for AD 27

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced) announced Assembly District 27’s 2025 Woman of the Year this week as Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation’s CEO Dora Westerlund. 

“Dora continues to be a trailblazing leader in our community and her time as CEO of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Soria. “Dora’s advocacy, sense of community, and roots in the Central Valley have allowed her work to be transformative in the areas of education, healthcare, energy, immigration and more. I’m thrilled to announce Dora Westerlund as Assembly District 27’s Woman of the Year!”  

Westerlund founded the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2004 which helps foster entrepreneurship toward economic self-sufficiency for minority and underserved communities in the following areas: Fresno, Mendota, Firebaugh, San Joaquin, Huron, Madera, and Livingston.

Westerlund’s career has come with many accolades, including a two-time award from the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Chamber Executive of the Year). Westerlund has also previously served on the Business Advisory Council for the Craig School of Business, Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Community Advisory Council, Board of Directors for the 21st District Agricultural Association, Big Fresno Fair, Fresno County Office of Education Foundation, and the Patino School of Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee.

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