By Jonathan Morales

January 26, 2023

Eleven Hornets have been named to the Sacramento Bee’s list of Top 25 Latino Change Makers who are “enriching lives in the Sacramento region,” another strong demonstration of how Sac State, through its students, faculty, staff, and alumni, has an impact that extends far beyond the campus boundaries.

Change Makers are, according to The Bee, “people who are committed to leading positive transformations in their communities. They are shifting the landscape in medicine, science, policy, economy, education, art and advocacy with their authenticity, problem-solving and vision for a better Sacramento.”

The list is part of the broader Change Makers project from The Bee’s Equity Lab, which began in February 2022 with the inaugural Top 25 Black Change Makers list and continued in November with the AAPI Change Makers. Both lists included multiple Hornets.

The Latino Change Makers list includes 10 notable alumni:

• Angela Chavez ’08 (Journalism): communications director at Courage California, and founding executive director of Chicas Latinas de Sacramento
• Ernesto Delgado ’98 (Graphic Design): CEO, the Ernesto Delgado Hospitality Group
• Joe Flores ’06 (Economics): re-entry initiatives and program lead, California Workforce Development Board
• Gema Godina-Martinez ’99 (Sociology); Credential ’01 and ’06; MA ’07 (Multicultural Education), Ed.D. ’10: principal, Washington Elementary School
• Elodia Ortega-Lampkin ’90 (Education); Credential ’91, ’95, and ’00: superintendent, Woodland Joint Unified School District
• Art Pimentel ’02 (Social Science), MA ’10 (Higher Education Leadership): president, Folsom Lake College
• Lydia Ramirez MBA ’21: senior vice president, COO and CEDIO, Five Star Bank
• Mariana Corona Sabeniano ’06 (Government): trustee, Sacramento County Board of Education
• Estella Sanchez ’04 (Social Science), MA ’08 (Leadership and Policy Studies): cultural strategist and founder, Sol Collective
• Oscar Villegas ’89 (Criminal Justice): supervisor, District 1, Yolo County

In addition, Rita Gallardo-Good, who works as Sac State’s director of Civic Affairs and expects to receive her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2024, was also recognized.

For the full list and more about these members of the Hornet Family, visit the Sacramento Bee website.