National Hispanic Business Women Association to Recognize Christina Romero for Leadership in Education, Nonprofit Arenas
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Citing her leadership and excellence in the education and nonprofit sectors, the National Hispanic Business Women Association (NHBWA) will name Christina Romero, executive director of the Santa Ana College Foundation, as one of its 2025 Woman of the Year at its national awards and scholarship gala on May 2 in Santa Ana.
NHBWA's annual Women of the Year Awards honor outstanding women leaders and their contributions to the community. Based in Orange County, NHBWA encourages women to develop their business and professional endeavors by promoting business growth through education, mutual support, the sharing of information, business referrals and networking. The organization shapes future leaders through its vibrant scholarship and mentorship programs, while its extensive networking and professional development events foster a thriving community of changemakers.
Christina Romero (pictured far left) recognizing donors Lisa and Bruce Gelker at the SAC Scholarship Student Celebration event.
For 22 years, Romero has helped amplify Santa Ana College's legacy while shaping its future, by inspiring stakeholders, alumni and community members to invest in SAC's students and its innovative programs. Over that time, she helped grow the Foundation's Board of Director to its current 25 members, and most recently, she successfully launched SAC Foundation's multi-year campaign, which raised more than $6.2 million dollars to support students and programs at the college, which serves more than 70,000 students yearly for credit and noncredit classes.
“Christina Romero exemplifies what it means to lead with heart, vision, andpurpose," said Ana Laura Padilla, president of NHBWA. “Her unwavering commitment to education and community empowerment has transformed lives and elevated Santa Ana College to national prominence. As we celebrate 25 years of honoring extraordinary women, it is only fitting that we recognize Christina's legacy of service, innovation, and impact. She is a shining example of how one woman's dedication can ignite opportunity for thousands."
Romero said she is proud to be among NHBWA's 2025 Women of the Year honorees.
“This award means a great deal to me, especially at this time in my life and in my career," Romero said. “I have been able to see the growth, impact, community reach and professional development that NHBWA has invested in women, our students, and our community for more than twenty years. To be recognized by NHBWA is powerful, especially as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary."
Under Romero's leadership, the SAC Foundation has enhanced alliances with key local organizations and ascended to the top 10% of California community college foundations and grown from a two-person team with $3.1 million in total assets to a multidisciplinary, seven-member, donor stewardship department administering a $15 million portfolio including student scholarships, capital funding, and educational programming.
At the Santa Ana College Foundation, Romero's innovative outreach has led to several firsts for the community college. Recently, the Foundation launched The 1915 Society, its first planned giving program garnering more than $1.9 million in confirmed legacy gifts, in just 2024 alone. Other major milestones include the largest single individual private donation in SAC history of $1.25 million. The landmark gift created the first named program through philanthropic giving, The Fainbarg Chase Thrive Center, offering holistic resources for SAC students to meet their basic housing and nutrition needs. Romero also developed SAC's annual President's Circle program that has raised more than $1 million in unrestricted and greatest-needs funds to date
“Through her strategic and passionate leadership of the Santa Ana College Foundation, Christina Romero directly impacts our students every day," said Dr. Annebelle Nery, president of Santa Ana College and ex-officio member of the SAC Foundation Board of Director. “Christina is deserving of this award for her nonprofit and educational leadership because her outstanding fundraising efforts enable our students to reach their academic goals and enter the workforce, in turn powering the economic growth of Orange County."
The NHBWA scholarship and awards gala, entitled “Rising Together: 25 Years of Empowerment," starts at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 2 at Hotel Zessa, 201 E. MacArthur Blvd., Santa Ana. Standard tickets are $150. To purchase tickets or for more information about other honorees, visit nationalhwba.com.
To learn more about the Santa Ana College Foundation, please visit www.sac.edu/foundation.
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About Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly for credit and noncredit classes. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree in occupational studies. In 2025, the college will offer a second bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com for a 2nd consecutive year. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel.
