Meet the 2023 Women of Distinction
March is Women’s History Month, and as we celebrate the contributions of women throughout history, I’m so glad to be able to honor some of the amazing women of California’s 45th District. From healthcare professionals and small business owners, to law enforcement officers and educators, this year's honorees represent the very best of our communities.
I want to thank this year's honorees, on behalf of California’s 45th Congressional District, for all they’ve done, not only build their own success, but to give back and improve the lives of those around them.
Meet the 2023 Women of Distinction...
Amber Enriquez
Amber Enriquez is General Counsel for ECOS, a business in Cypress, California. She has worked for ECOS since 2008 and leads an all-female team. ECOS actively educates the community on ways they too can improve the environment. She is also an active member of the Cypress community, at her children's school, and with the police foundation and the woman's club.
Apryl Soapes
Apryl enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), where she served four years active and four years inactive duty as an armorer. During her time in the USMC, Apryl deployed overseas on multiple missions. She joined the Orange County Sheriffs Department in 2005. During her career with the Department, she has worked a variety of assignments including Custody Operations and Patrol Operations as a Master Field Training Officer. She also handled responsibilities with North Orange County Taskforce, where she taught under the Drug Use Is Life Abuse Curriculum and assisted as a "Homeless Liaison Officer" (now known as Behavioral Health Bureau Officer). Apryl currently serves as an Investigator within the city of Yorba Linda.
Angela Chang
Angela Chang is the Chief Strategy Officer at KCAL Insurance Agency where she oversees the company's strategies in sales, marketing, partnerships, technology, customer acquisition and retention. She serves on the Board of Directors for the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), ACE NextGen, the Asian Business Association – Los Angeles chapter, and the Industry Sheriff’s Youth Activities League (YAL).
Christine Cordon
Christine Cordon serves as the City Manager for the City of Westminster, California. As a lifelong Orange County resident, Christine is passionate about public service, and is committed to bridging the communication gap between government and stakeholders. As a proud mother of two, she leads by example and regularly volunteers at her children's school and with their sports teams.
Elizabeth Do
Elizabeth Do is a widly respected realtor. As a top professional in her area, she has dedicated much to cultivating a thriving, client-centric business. Elizabeth works tirelessly for her community and that is why she is one of 2023's Women of Distinction.
Erika Enz
Erika Lima Enz is currently the Director of Program Operations for Simon Scholars. She has spent over 20 years working with young people in both the nonprofit and educational arenas. She is passionate about inspiring and guiding youth on a path of self-realization that contributes to their ability to approach life with confidence.
Dr. Joanna Schilling
JoAnna Schilling has been President at Cypress College since 2017. Under her leadership, Cypress College was ranked as the #1 community college in California in 2018 and 2020, and was named a national Top 150 community college in 2022. During her tenure, Cypress College launched The Charger Experience, providing free tuition to first-time, full-time students, and was named one of only 11 NASA minority-serving community colleges in the country.
Judy Klabouch
With 46 years of business entrepreneurship in interior design and decorating in commercial and residential spaces, and 37 years of community involvement, philanthropy & volunteer work, Judy is a powerhouse in our community. She has demonstrated leadership and innovative vision as founder and CEO of Green Street Interiors and former president of Los Alamitos/Rossmore Soroptimist, Casa Youth Shelter & Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce.
Laura Ramos
Laura Ramos is the Chief Executive of Providence St. Jude Medical Center. Having begun her career as a bedside nurse, she brings a patient-centric perspective to a rapidly changing healthcare environment, as well as a deep understanding of how improvements in value and affordability are most effectively created through improvements in quality and outcomes. She is well-known for her authenticity, operational and clinical advancements, and commitment to life-changing medical care. Ramos’ leadership is evident in the hospital’s growing list of quality and safety accolades and honors.
Margaret Jean Johnson
Ms. Johnson was nominated by the City of Cerritos and Captain Dinh at the Cerritos Sheriffs Station. She has been a Cerritos Sheriff's Station Volunteer on Patrol (VOP) for the past 18 years, with more than 6,000 hours of service. Margaret Johnson has a passion for people, children and the community. In addition to working at Wittmann Elementary School in Cerritos, Ms. Johnson is also a civilian Explorer Advisor for the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, which enables her to assist youths ages 14 to 20 in preparing for careers in law enforcement and life skills training.
Rhonda Sausedo
Rhonda Sausedo is the Chief Nursing Officer at Placentia-Linda Hospital. She first joined the hospital in 1998 as a Clinical Manager of the Emergency Department. She serves the community where she grew up and where she also raised her three children. As Chief Nursing Officer she oversees all nursing units (ER, ICU, DOU, and Med-Surg) along with Quality. Rhonda is a passionate and valuable leader with an established track record of building strong teams and improving patient safety. She is also acutely aware of the need to look beyond internal operations and find meaningful ways to connect with the community we serve. She has built and maintains lasting professional relationships with key community stakeholders including leaders from police, fire, and emergency medical personnel across the region. Throughout the pandemic, Rhonda did an outstanding job of boosting staff morale and maintaining a positive culture where staff were safe, supported, and empowered to provide the best patient care possible during incredibly uncertain times.
Sandy Lee
Mrs. Lee, a Vietnamese immigrant, now performs with her Fountain Valley Guitar club and actively volunteers at her local Senior Center, where her group of septuagenarians regularly practices and helps other beginners enjoy their retirement with music. Out of concern for the young generation’s mental health crisis, she has been instrumental in organizing a mindfulness practice center in Garden Grove.
Dr. Sinduri Jayasinghe
Dr. Sinduri is a highly acclaimed Indian Classical Dancer and Guru. Having done nearly 2500 performances around in the world in her lifetime, she has been running her dance school, Savithri Arts Academy, for the past 25 years based in Southern California. She also continues to perform, produce, and direct major dance productions highlighting various social justice issues.
Susie Gomes
Susie Gomes is the owner of Enchanted Décor Events. Over the last 20 years Susie has become known for her unique and custom design, her stylish flair, and most importantly her core values and excellent customer care.
Terra Ramirez
Terra has been a dedicated employee since being hired in 1995 as a Garden Grove Police Cadet. Terra was then hired as a Community Service Officer in 1996, where she worked diligently towards her goal of being hired as a police officer. In 2000, she accomplished that goal and has since risen through the ranks and worked many assignments throughout her career. Terra was promoted to the rank of Corporal and is now the lead Homicide Detective. Because of Terra’s dedication victims and their families, many of her off-duty hours are spent working on investigations. Detective Ramirez’s hard work, compassion and dedication to her department, victims, and their families are what make her a 2023 Woman of Distinction.
Victoria Lim
Victoria is currently working as a top real estate agent at Keller Williams. She also owns and operates a home staging company in Orange County. She is grateful to share her talents with homeowners, and is on a mission to help members of the AAPI Community achieve homeownership.
Dr. True McMahan
True brings valuable knowledge and insight to everything she does as a medical physician with over 30 years of training and experience in the hospital. She currently serves as the Medical Director of the Emergency Department and Vice Chief-of-Staff at the Garden Grove Hospital and Medical Center in Garden Grove, CA. True has a particular interest in Geriatrics, and takes care of Hospice patients in their homes when she’s not in the Emergency Department.