LATINAS Today
Democrat Xochitl Torres Small Wins U.S. House
Seat in New Mexico
Democrat Xochitl Torres Small has
won a U.S. House seat representing
southern New Mexico's 2nd District
in a closely watched race. The
33-year-old water rights attorney
defeated Republican state lawmaker
Yvette Herrell.
As a child, Torres Smalls heard
stories about her grandmother, who
immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico,
working in the fields to build her
American dream. She watched her
mom and father consistently go the
extra mile to help those who are too
often pushed aside.
Torres Smalls graduated Cum
Laude from Georgetown University.
Armed with a college degree, she
returned home to Las Cruces as a
Field Representative for Senator
Udall, where she worked to increase cell phone service, broadband, and
other communication lines in rural New Mexico.
As a judicial law clerk for a federal judge, the Honorable Robert C. Brack,
she worked on one of the heaviest criminal dockets in the country.
As an attorney at Kemp Smith LLP, she worked with local governments,
farmers, developers, and conservationists to best use this shared resource.
Dr. Erica L. Jacquez
Appointed to serve the Housing Authority of the
City of Los Angeles Board of Commissioners
by Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti and the City
Council, Jacquez’ expertise in policy process is
coupled with an extensive network of local,
state and federal policymakers.
With over 18 years of experience with
intellectual property rights, problem intervention,
and management of legislative/administrative
activities - such as monitoring, research,
and direct and indirect lobbying to affect
either enactment, amendment, or defeat of
proposals, she develops strategies, tactics
and creative solutions to forge political and
civic relationships, builds coalitions, and negotiates legislation that advances
an organization’s interests with a track record of successfully navigating public
and private sector challenges.
Jacquez also offers corporate and civic clients a competitive advantage
by addressing key issues with effective strategies that encompass pragmatic,
legislative solutions.
Jacquez served as associate vice president of government relations for
AltaMed Health Services. She also served as legislative analyst at the OMB
during Obama’s administration, and was a congressional relations officer at
the Department of Housing & Urban Development. Before that she was the
main community liaison for Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina.
Jacquez has a doctorate in policy, planning and development, and
master’s degree from the University of Southern California. She earned
her bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from California State
University, Fullerton, and also is a graduate of Harvard University’s John F.
Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Leadership Program. LS
Cecilia Estolano Named to University
of California Board of Regents
Cecilia V. Estolano (MA, UP ’91) has been
appointed to the University of California Board
of Regents. Estolano, who teaches as an
adjunct faculty member at UCLA Luskin, is
one of four new regents appointed by Gov.
Jerry Brown.
“I am eager to partner with these
accomplished new board members,” UC
President Janet Napolitano says. “Serving on
the UC Board of Regents offers a powerful
opportunity to shape California higher
education for years to come and ensure that
future students receive the same excellent
UC education as did previous generations
of Californians.”
Estolano, an expert in sustainable economic
development and urban revitalization, is chief
executive officer at Estolano LeSar Advisors.
She co-founded the firm in 2011 with UCLA
alumni Jennifer LeSar (UP ’92) and Katherine
Perez-Estolano (MA, UP ’97).
Estolano’s list of accomplishments
includes serving as chief executive officer
at the City of Los Angeles Community
Redevelopment Agency and as a senior
policy advisor at the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. In addition to her UCLA
Luskin master’s degree, Estolano earned a
juris doctorate from UC Berkeley and
previously served as counsel at Gibson
Dunn and Crutcher LLP and as special
assistant city attorney in the Los Angeles city
attorney’s office.
6 www. lat inastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 24, No. 5, 2018
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