The Regional Hispanic Institute celebrates women leaders for their outstanding contributions in the fields of Community Leadership, Education, Business, Government, Culture and Economic Development.
The program highlights the Character, Commitment, Civility, and Citizenship of extraordinary women in our communities.
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Gaby O’Donnell
Mujer que Cambio el Mundo
Posthumous Award
Gaby O'Donnell led an extraordinary life and her compassion touched countless Californians.
Gaby was born November 5, 1958, in Lima, Peru to Frida Arce Caceres. It was in Lima where she gave birth to her first son, Robert Garcia. In 1982, Gaby, along with her entire family immigrated to the United States in search of the American Dream.
After arriving in the United States, Gaby worked to clean houses for a living. “Cleaning houses was a good job, but I wanted to do more so I went to classes to learn more about medical terminology and computers,” she said in an interview with the Press-Telegram. Gaby became a health care worker, caring for thousands of patients over her career and assisting nurses and doctors who she loved dearly. She loved to help people and lived a happy and joyous life. She married Greg O’Donnell in 1993 and later gave birth to her second son, Jacob O’Donnell.
While Gaby was never able to attend college, she always said that her greatest accomplishment was seeing both of her sons graduate from California State University, Long Beach.
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Susan Sifuentes-Trigueros
Los Angeles Regional Public Affairs Manager
Southern California Gas Company
Susan Sifuentes Trigueros serves as regional public affairs manager for the Southern California Gas Company. In her 30 years with the company, she has also held positions in the external affairs, accounting and human resources departments. Sifuentes-Trigueros earned certificates of completion from the Southern California Leadership Network, HOPE Leadership Institute and UCSD Manager’s Toolkit Leadership Training programs.
She earned a BS in business administration, with an emphasis in accounting, from the USC Marshall School of Business. Sifuentes-Trigueros serves on the USC Alumni Association’s Board of Governors and the League of Cities Partners Steering Committee, and is also a board member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) and the Southern California Leadership Network.
Sifuentes Trigueros has received numerous legislative certificates of recognition for her community and advocacy work. She was named one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century for her work in civic participation by Women’s eNews. She has received the HOPE PAC Leadership Award, the Corporate Award from the Girls Today Women Tomorrow Leadership Mentoring Program, and a USC Alumni Association Widney Alumni House Award.
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Ana M. Lasso
Director
Department of General Services
Ana M. Lasso was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as the Director of the Department of General Services on March 19, 2021. Prior to DGS, Director Lasso had been appointed to serve as the General Manager of Exposition Park by then Governor Jerry Brown, serving in that role since April, 2014.
Director Lasso leads the Department of General Services (“DGS”), which serves as the business manager for the state of California, with over 3,500 employees and a budget of more than $1 billion. DGS serves the public by providing a variety of services to state agencies through procurement, acquisition solutions, creative real estate management, design, innovation, environmentally friendly transportation, and funding for the construction of state schools. DGS also serves as a control and oversight department to help protect the interests of the state of California.
Previously, Director Lasso represented the State with real estate negotiations to secure the Los Angeles Football Club—Banc of California Stadium and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art at Exposition Park. She also led Exposition Park through one of its most triumphant economic development periods, with over $1 billion in construction dollars invested throughout the 160 acres known as Exposition Park.
Prior to becoming a state appointee, Director Lasso managed the Joint Use Development Program for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), The Joint Use Development Program developed community partnerships and capital improvement projects to provide features and enhancements for public schools that provide benefits to students and the surrounding community.
In addition to her expertise in real estate development and strong commitment to public service, Director Lasso has worked at the international level on issues such as economic development, education, city design, and housing.
Director Lasso holds a Masters in City Planning and Urban Design Certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and dual Bachelors from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her commitment to underserved communities is undeniable and has been recognized through awards such as the 2020 Bridge to the Future Award from A Place Called Home, City Council District 9 SHero Award in 2017, the Los Angeles County Medical Association’s Innovation Award of 2012, Building and Construction’s 2011 “40 Under 40,” the MIT Departmental Service Award, the UCLA Charles E. Young Humanitarian Award and as a Hispanas Organized for Political Equality “HOPE” Leadership Fellow.
Ana M. Lasso resides in Whittier with her husband Jose Hernandez Vicente, their two children Alba Marina and Diego Jose and two dogs.
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Mary Zendejas
Councilwoman
1st District of Long Beach
Councilwoman Mary Zendejas was elected to represent the 1st District of Long Beach in November of 2019 becoming the first Latina wheelchair user to be elected to public office in the nation. As an infant, she was diagnosed with Polio, and later in High School started using a wheelchair daily. Her passion for living and working hard is rooted in seeing her parents, a field hand and factory worker, provide their children a better life. Their hard work allowed Mary to go to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and become the first in her family to graduate from college.
Her advocacy dates back nearly three decades starting in high school, where she organized citizenship fairs to help community members follow their American Dream of becoming US citizens. She is also the founder of the Professional Abilities Association of America, an organization created for working professionals with disabilities by working professionals with disabilities, focusing on inclusion in the workforce. Additionally, she is a two-time graduate of Leadership Long Beach, served as a member of Mayor Robert Garcia’s Transition Team, a former board member of Housing Long Beach, and a past Ms. Wheelchair California.
Currently, Mary is also currently a board member of several local non-profits and advocacy organizations, including the Murphy Foundation Board and is the current President of the Disabled Resource Center. She is also a former member of the Long Beach Transit Board of Directors. During her time at Long Beach Transit, she has led the effort to streamline access and reliability of paratransit services throughout the system and has helped to implement zero-emission buses into the fleet. Mary is also currently a board member of several local non-profits and advocacy organizations, including the Murphy Foundation Board and the Disabled Resource Center.
Mary has been widely recognized and honored throughout her career. She has received several awards including the American Women’s Business Association’s Diamond in the Sky award, The California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) Gene Lentzner Human Relations Award, the Teachers Association of Long Beach (TALB) Human Rights Award, Patrick O’Donnell’s “Women of Distinction” Award and The Long Beach Post “40 under 40” Award, to name a few.
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Diana Michel-Wasser
Singer Songwriter and Performer
Diana was born in Tijuana Mexico on March 12, 1988. Due to being over two months premature and receiving too much oxygen, she became totally blind. She was in the incubator for three months. At the age of two, she came to the United States with her parents and older sister. Having always been surrounded by music and influenced by several genres such as classical, jazz, and rock, Diana began singing and performing at the age of nine. Majoring in commercial music, Diana studied voice classically under the direction of instructor Anne Gresham. She toured with Ms. Gresham and Whittier College singing at various elementary, middle and high schools.
Soon after that while still in middle school, Diana was featured at the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala and was soon featured in many other of the largest community awards programs in the City of Long Beach, often singing the National Anthem acapella. No small task. As a singer songwriter and performer, Diana continues to pursue her career in music and dreams of one day performing around the world. Diana is married and currently resides in Long Beach. She also has a YouTube channel which is simply called, Diana Michel.
Diana is a product of the Long Beach Unified School District having graduated from Prisk Elementary, Stanford Middle School and Millikan High School. She was strong academically and gifted with a singing voice that has never gone unnoticed. LBUSD’s highest honor is one that is given to only one student per school out of the total student body. The Award honors students for their character and their ability to inspire other students, teachers and administrative staff through their commitment to their studies and courage to let nothing get in their way. It is the Most Inspiring Students Awards. Diana was honored with this Award from all three schools.
Diana is a well-rounded individual with perfect pitch and an unforgettable voice. She is kind. She is generous. She is honest and loyal and just sarcastic enough to make her everyone’s best friend. And by the way, when you become one of Diana’s best friends, you literally become your best self, too. She inspires confidence in others and tonight she will inspire confidence in all of us.
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Nilda Parrado Langston
Capitan
Vice President
ToursX Inc.
Nilda Parrado is owner and operator of a Sightseeing Tour company in Long Beach. ToursX, Inc offers Glass Bottom Boat Eco-Tours in Long Beach Harbor.
She leads the only female owned commercial marine operations in Long Beach, taking guests to explore the marine ecosystems thriving in the Port of Long Beach. Prior to ToursX, Inc she was Vice President of Operations for Harbor Breeze Cruises 2016 to 2021 and Executive Director for Island Enterprises, Inc. 2002 to 2016,
She managed marine assets, sales, marketing and operational aspects for these two very successful commercial marine transportation companies. Nilda also volunteers as a board member for Solidaridad con Bolivia, a non profit organization dedicated to provide financial and educational support to her fellow Bolivians in need.
Their work during the Pandemic has been featured on the UN website as well as on Latinos Top 100 magazine.
Nilda moved from Bolivia to Long Beach in 1999 at the age of 17, after graduating high school there. She was full of dreams and in search of opportunities and the American dream.
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About the Regional Hispanic Institute
To Empower Minority Business Communities by Developing and Implementing Educational Programs.
The Regional Hispanic Institute (RHI) is a a 501c-3 tax-exempt organization, the RHI is able to provide its Business Community with Educational Opportunities and Programs.
As we continue our work to increase the visibility of Latinos and Promote an image of Diverse Professionalism, it’s encouraging to see the Economic, Political, Educational and Social Contributions of Latinos being recognized in Southern California and across the nation.
To Read more about the Regional Hispanic Institute and the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Read About us...
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