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HISTORY
The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation was founded in 2001, by a group of local business owners, to meet the needs of an ever growing Hispanic business community. Since opening its doors, the FAHF has been committed to developing strategies and policies to better serve all Spanish and English-speaking business owners interested in the welfare of the Fresno-area Hispanic community. 

Today, the FAHF continues to support the growth and development of the community by bringing together business opportunities and assisting families from low-income households through specially designed philanthropic events. 
  • 2002

    In 2002, Dora Westerlund, in collaboration with other partners, implemented and established the first Microloan Program in the State of California operated by a Hispanic business organization.

  • 2003

    In 2003, began planning the business incubator project that would serve as a resource center for small businesses.

  • 2004

    Established the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.

  • 2007

    With the help of an angel investor, the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation purchased a 13,000 sq. ft. building to be renovated and turned into a business incubator.

  • 2009

    Received a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration to support over 95% of the facility renovations and establish the Downtown Business Hub incubator.

  • 2011

    Completed renovations and celebrated the grand opening of the Downtown Business Hub (DBH) incubator, a one-stop-shop service center for small businesses. Since its grand opening, the DBH has incubated over 80 small businesses. Currently, the DBH is home to 20 in-house businesses and 12 virtual businesses.

TEAM
Dora Westerlund, CEO

Dora Westerlund

CEO and President

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

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.

Sandra Vidrio

Corporate Relations Director

Sandra received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with the option of Marketing from CSU, Fresno. While completing her degree she was President of the Hispanic Business Student Association and is currently the Corporate Relations Director at the FAHF where she leads the Membership Program responsible for developing new partnerships with members, small businesses and community partners to promote the programs and services offered.

Yurubi Ramirez

Office Manager

Yurubi Ramirez is currently the Office Manager at FAHF and we could not have asked more of her. As Office Manager she wears many hats and is always up to the task. She keeps everyone in line yet always seems to keep a smile on her face. 

BOARD

Sandra Vicente

Chair

Union Bank

Gerardo Hernandez

Vice-Chair

Raimondo & Associates

Dr. Victor Olivares

Secretary

California State University, Fresno

Fausto Hinojosa

Treasurer

Price, Paige & Company

Angela Hiyama

Board Member

Comcast

Naomi Hernandez

Board Member

Tri Counties Bank

Antonio Valtierra

Board Member

Valtierra Insurance Agency

Juan Sanjuan

Board Member

USA Garlic Machinery

Ricardo Flores

Board Member

Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant

William E. McComas

Board Member

Pascuzzi, Pascuzzi, & Stoker

Porfirio Rios

Board Member

Intervalley Insurance Servies, N.A.

Nolberto Felix

Board Member

Wealth Management

SPONSORS

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