Assemblymember Diane Dixon has announced the recipients of the 2025 Women of the Year awards for California’s 72nd Assembly District. The honorees include one woman from each of the district’s eight cities and three women recognized for district-wide achievements.
“Each of these women has made incredible and significant contributions and has shown exceptional community leadership,” said Assemblymember Dixon. “I commend these women for their dedication and service. We all benefit from having such strong, innovative women in Orange County and Assembly District 72.”
To mark Women’s History Month, a reception was held to honor each Woman of the Year alongside her family members, celebrating their hard work.
The district-wide honorees are Jill Dominguez, Perla Mendoza, and Leyna Nguyen. Dominguez serves as President and Executive Director of Mary’s Path, which supports vulnerable teen mothers in foster care. Mendoza founded Project Eli after losing her son to fentanyl poisoning; her work focuses on drug prevention and education. Nguyen, a former CBS news reporter, now teaches English and financial literacy while also running Love Across the Ocean, a nonprofit connecting donors with children in Vietnam.
The eight city-specific honorees include Lieutenant Julia Clasby from Seal Beach, Robyne Wood from Huntington Beach, Lori Pack from Newport Beach, Debbie Finster from Laguna Beach, Lauren Becker from Laguna Hills, Rebeca Gilad from Laguna Woods, Julie Wright from Aliso Viejo, and Mary Visconte from Lake Forest.
Clasby is noted for her leadership in law enforcement as Seal Beach Police Department’s first female lieutenant. Wood founded Robyne’s Nest to support at-risk students. Pack leads Child Guidance Center as CEO. Finster is Vice President at Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Becker directs the Braille Institute in Laguna Hills. Gilad founded Community Bridge Builders following a local church shooting. Wright is active in business organizations including founding the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce. Visconte serves as CEO of Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce while co-owning Spectrum Specialties & Awards.
These awards recognize their significant impact across various fields within their communities.
