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.
In 2003, began planning the business incubator project that would serve as a resource center for small businesses.
Established the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
Union Bank
Raimondo & Associates
California State University, Fresno
Price, Paige & Company
Comcast
Tri Counties Bank
Valtierra Insurance Agency
USA Garlic Machinery
Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant
Pascuzzi, Pascuzzi, & Stoker
Intervalley Insurance Servies, N.A.
Wealth Management
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