Latina Leaders of Kern County announces 2015 Latinas Leading the Way Honorees

June 5, 2015 – Latina Leaders of Kern County (LLKC) is proud to announce the names of the 2015 Latinas Leading the Way Honorees. They are Camila Chavez, Executive Director for the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF); Sylvia Picazo, Office Administrator for the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC); and Lisa Robles-Kent, Executive Secretary of the Bakersfield College (BC) Foundation. The women were selected for their exceptional professionalism, achievements, and commitment to our community. They will be honored during a semi-formal awards banquet on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at Bakersfield Country Club.

Chavez is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of DHF where she oversees training for low-income community members in the areas of leadership and organizing skills specific to civic and electoral participation.  She believes that it is our responsibility to take advantage of every opportunity to develop leadership in ourselves and our communities by building consensus around a common set of principles, values and priorities.   Chavez is a graduate of Mills College in Oakland, CA.

Picazo is the Office Administrator for KCHCC where she works to promote Hispanic and minority-owned businesses in Kern County, and those that cater to, or employ Hispanics in our community. She states that she believes in giving the best of herself to her community, something that she instills in her children so they can become self-sufficient, hardworking, and honest individuals who will help make our community a better place.  Picazo is a graduate of Bakersfield College.

Kent is the Executive Secretary of the Bakersfield College Foundation where she is passionate about providing opportunities to the underrepresented youth in our community. She serves as an advocate for LLKC on the BC campus. Her goal is to introduce and expose the youth to new things including a broader thought process, the tools for success, and what it takes to achieve their future goals. Robles-Kent is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield.

“We are excited to honor these three outstanding women who give their all to help develop Latinas in our community,” said Norma Rojas-Mora, LLKC President.  “It is the mission of LLKC to foster leadership, identify and develop opportunities for Latinas, and to influence key issues affecting our community. We believe these three individuals exemplify this, and we are looking forward to highlighting their achievements at this year’s awards banquet.”

The LLKC Latinas Leading the Way awards banquet is presented by Bright House Networks, with additional support from Kern Federal Credit Union.  LLKC 2014-2015 programs are proudly sponsored by Wells Fargo. For sponsorship opportunities and event tickets, visit www.kernlatinas.org.