FAHF Team Members
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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.
Dora Westerlund,
CEO & President
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.
Yery Olivares,
Chief Operating Officer & CDFI Executive 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. Sandra currently leads the Latinapreneur and Womanpreneur business development programs. She is also responsible for developing new partnerships with small businesses, members and community partners to promote the programs and services offered at FAHF.
Sandra Vidrio,
Business Analyst
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."
Yurubi Ramirez,
Chief Administrative Officer
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.
David Preciado,
Community Service Manager
Rocio Bibian is FAHF's Bookkeeper and Loan Specialist. She received an AS at Fresno City College and transferred to CSU Fresno where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting. She is from Union de Tula, Jalisco Mexico, and has a genuine passion for helping her community. She assist the CDFI providing technical assistance to our clients and oversees the financial.
Rocio Bibian
Loan Specialist and Bookkeeper
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.
Efrain Cruz,
Director of Business Lending
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.
Neli Zarco,
Business Consultant
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.
Alexa Maldonado,
Small Business Development Specialist
Berenice graduated from CSU Fresno with a bachelor's degree in Media Communications and Journalism, Public Relations. Berenice worked in the marketing department at the California Teaching Fellows Foundation as an intern during her time at Fresno State. She has also been a social media manager for a few small businesses in Fresno for the past 3 years. Berenice is in charge of the marketing operations for the foundation. She works closely with each department to be able to communicate the programs and values of the foundation with our community, partners, and members. Being hispanic herself, she looks forward to giving back to her community by bridging the gap between information and resources with those who need it.
Berenice Zuniga,
Marketing Coordinator
Meet 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.
Manuel Flores,
CDFI Loan Specialist
Classia Vivian holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs by the University Autonomous of Baja California were she graduated with Honors and first of her class, she is a Specialist on International Immigration Studies by the Colegio de la Frontera Norte.
Clarissa has been working with Small Business and Immigrant Entrepreneurs for almost a decade and has helped to allocate over 2 Million dollars in grants.
Here at the Foundation Clarissa oversees the implementation of programs, deployment of funding, trainings and one on one technical assistance.
Clarissa Vivian,
Women's business center /
Program director
