Team Members
Dora Westerlund,
President & CEO
As an international student at California State University, Fresno, she was given the opportunity to work for a year in the United States. She worked at Bank of America for 6 months. After that, she was hired by the Mexican Consulate in Fresno as the executive assistant to the Consul of Mexico, where she worked for four years. In 2002, she accepted the position of president and CEO for the Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and in 2004 led the creation of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.
Yery Olivares,
Chief Operating Officer &
CDFI Executive Director
Yery Olivares was born in Colima, Mexico and raised in Kerman, California. Yery studied at California State University, Fresno and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. She has assisted with the award of over $2 million in microloans and has directly assisted over 500 small business entrepreneurs. Yery is grateful for the diversity of this community and the great opportunities individuals have to succeed and become self-sufficient.
Yurubi Ramirez,
Chief Administrative Officer
Yurubi Ramirez is currently the Chief Administrative Officer at FAHF. Under the direction of the CEO, she develops, coordinates, and implements multi-facet grant programs to assist small businesses throughout the San Joaquin Valley. She actively leads the CDFI's Loan Documentation Processes. In addition, she oversees monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports, tracking key performance indicators for the organization. Yurubi has a background in Office Administration working for St. Therese Parish and Rescue the Children, a social services nonprofit. Furthermore, she recently received her A.S. in Paralegal Studies at FCC and Notary Certification. Yurubi's motto is found in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord."
David Preciado,
Community Service Manager
David Preciado is from Baja California, Mexico and has a degree in law from the Autonomous University of Baja California; a Masters in Citizen Participation from the Francisco de Vitória University, Madrid, Spain and a PhD candidate from the Complutense University of Madrid in the Public Administration Program. He has served as General Director, Coordinator of Advisors, and Chief of Staff among other positions in the Mexican federal government. He also has extensive experience in Mexican foreign diplomatic service, including serving in the Mexican Embassy in Washington D.C., and in the Mexican consulates of Houston, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Fresno, California. He is currently the Director of Export and Import with U.S., Mexico, and Canada and assists small businesses in the Central Valley with the legal and technical assistance to commercialize their products and services.
Efrain Cruz,
Director of Business Lending
Efrain graduated with his Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for 2 years. He later went on to work a total of 13 years as Credit Analyst and a Commercial Loan Officer for Valley Small Business Development Corporation.
Efrain is the Director of Business Lending for the CDFI Program. Efrain manages loan risk by underwriting all consumer and business loans.
Manuel Flores,
CDFI Loan Specialist
Manuel Flores, a driven and experienced professional with a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Universidad Autonoma de Baja California in Tijuana, Mexico. With over 12 years of experience in customer service, sales, and strategic planning, Manuel has a wealth of knowledge and skills to bring to any team.
Previously, Manuel worked at the Mexican Consulate in Fresno for 8 years, where he held several roles in departments such as Community Outreach, Protection and Legal Affairs. This experience has given Manuel a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of different communities, and a passion for helping others.
In addition to his work with Confia Rural, Manuel is also in-charge of Consumer lending. This experience gives Manuel a comprehensive understanding of finance and lending, and the ability to help consumers navigate the complex world of loans and credit.
Overall, Manuel is a valuable addition to any team. With his combination of education, experience, and passion for helping others, he is a true asset to any organization.
Alexa Maldonado,
Small Business Development Specialist
Meet Alexa Maldonado, a talented and driven Business Consultant at the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation's Woman Business Center. She has a passion for helping businesses succeed. Alexa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fresno State with a Bachelor's degree in Communication and has since honed her skills in marketing, project management, and business development.
With her combination of education, experience, and passion for helping others, Alexa is a valuable asset to the FAHF team. Whether working with startups or established businesses, Alexa is dedicated to helping her clients achieve their goals and succeed.
Neli Zarco,
Small Business Development
Specialist
Neli Zarco is one of our Technical Assistance Providers. She was born and raised in Fresno, California. Neli has been actively working on the Womanpreneur/Latinapreneur program. This program is based on helping women entrepreneurs start up their business. She assists clients on everything they need to know when it comes to strategic business planning all the way down to the marketing aspect of their business.
Flavio Arechiga,
Grant Program Manager
Flavio Arechiga was born is Sinaloa, Mexico and grew up in Fresno, California. Flavio graduated from UC Davis with a double major in Economics and Political Science. He has work in non-profit since graduating from university and has assisted various businesses and students through his work. Since joining the foundation he has assisted small businesses receive an approximate $1.5 million in grants and continues on this work. Flavio is grateful to be able to help members of this community grow and succeed.
Mariana Alfaro,
Special Program Coordinator
Mariana was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and currently resides in Fresno, CA. She graduated from ByCENJ with a degree in Elementary Education. Over the years, her work experience, combined with her deep sense of vocation, has allowed her to serve communities and explore ways to create projects that benefit them. Her passion has always been to help individuals set and achieve goals that move them forward in life.
Currently, as part of the FAHF, she continues to apply her expertise by providing guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking to take their ventures to the next level. Mariana is proud to be part of an organization that aligns with her vision of empowering the community.
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Maria Abad-Guillen,
Marketing Manager
Maria was born in Mexico and raised in the Bay Area, where she attended San Jose State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Five years ago, she relocated to Fresno, where she worked for a national consumer packaged goods corporation for three years before transitioning to the non-profit sector. Maria finds her work in the non-profit sector deeply fulfilling, as it allows her to pursue her personal passion for helping others. She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, where she serves as the Marketing Manager for the Technical Assistance department. In this role, she leverages her expertise to support business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in achieving their goals. Outside of work, Maria enjoys spending quality time with her family and visiting new places.
Gabriel Monteiro,
Communications Manager
Born and raised in Florianópolis, Brazil, Gabriel Monteiro moved to the United States to pursue his academic and athletic dreams. He graduated from Fresno Pacific University as a soccer student-athlete, earning a Bachelor's degree in Marketing.
After graduation, Gabriel gained valuable experience working as a Marketing Manager for a medical clinic. This role allowed him to develop strong communication and marketing skills.
Currently, Gabriel serves as the Communications Manager at the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. In this role, he is dedicated to effectively communicating with the local community and ensuring they benefit from FAHF's programs and services.
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Gloria Ramirez,
Community Relations Specialist
Gloria Ramirez is our foundation's Community Relations Specialist with an extensive background in the non-profit sector. Gloria is a proud Oaxaqueña with a deep commitment to community empowerment. She is known in the community for her ability to connect with people, cultivate partnerships, and create lasting change.
When she’s not working to strengthen community ties, Gloria can often be found on the dance floor, where her love for salsa shines through. Gloria’s work and personal life are both centered around a singular mission: to create environments where individuals can thrive, grow, and support one another
Heidy Puerta,
Office Manager
Heidy Puerta was born in Sinaloa, Mexico, and raised in the small town of Tranquillity, California, in Fresno County. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Fresno. Growing up in a community with limited resources, Heidy has always been driven by a deep desire to give back and help others succeed. With a strong commitment to supporting her community, she has dedicated herself to empowering individuals and organizations to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Heidy’s passion for service led her to work closely with youth as a counselor, where she guided younger generations and helped them navigate various obstacles. She is now contributing to her community through her role at the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, where she focuses on supporting local entrepreneurs and helping businesses grow. Her dedication to making a positive impact continues to drive her efforts to improve the lives of those around her.
